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Cowboy Pasta Salad

Delicious Cowboy Pasta Salad You’ll Love This Summer!

Create a flavorful Cowboy Pasta Salad that melds taco tastes with creamy pasta, perfect for summer gatherings!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Chilling Time 30 minutes
Total Time 57 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Salad
Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 8 ounces Farfalle Pasta Cooked al dente
For the Protein
  • 1 pound Ground Beef Cooked and seasoned with taco seasoning
For the Taco Flavor
  • 2 tablespoons Taco Seasoning Homemade or store-bought
For the Freshness
  • 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes Halved or quartered
  • 1/2 cup Red Onion Finely diced
  • 1/4 cup Cilantro Finely chopped
For the Creaminess
  • 1/2 cup Mayonnaise You can use Greek yogurt instead
  • 1/2 cup Sour Cream Can be substituted with plain yogurt
For the Dressing
  • 2 tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar Adjust to taste
  • 1 teaspoon Hot Sauce Adjust according to spice level
For the Cheesy Goodness
  • 1 cup Cheddar Cheese Shredded

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Colander
  • Skillet
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Whisk
  • spatula

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions for Cowboy Pasta Salad
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the farfalle pasta and cook for about 10-12 minutes, or until al dente. Drain and rinse briefly under cold water. Set aside to cool.
  2. In a large skillet, heat a drizzle of oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook for 5-6 minutes until browned. Stir in taco seasoning, salt, and pepper, and cook for an additional minute. Remove from heat.
  3. In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, taco seasoning, and hot sauce until smooth. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
  4. In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta and ground beef. Fold in halved cherry tomatoes and diced red onion. Add the dressing and toss until everything is coated.
  5. Fold in shredded cheddar cheese and chopped cilantro. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve immediately or chill for 30 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 25gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 600mgPotassium: 500mgFiber: 5gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 10IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 15mgIron: 10mg

Notes

This pasta salad can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days, and flavors improve over time.

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