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Quick Taco Pasta Salad

Quick Taco Pasta Salad: A Flavor-Packed Weeknight Delight

Quick Taco Pasta Salad is a vibrant dish that combines savory taco flavors with pasta for a satisfying meal that's both filling and easy to prepare.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Resting Time 10 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Salads
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 480

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 8 ounces Rotini Pasta Cook until al dente.
For the Protein
  • 1 pound Ground Beef Use 85/15 or 90/10.
For the Vegetables
  • 1 medium Green Pepper Diced.
  • 1 medium Yellow Onion Chopped.
  • 1 cup Grape Tomatoes Halved.
  • 2 cups Iceberg Lettuce Shredded.
  • 1 cup Black Olives Set aside.
For the Cheese
  • 1 cup Cheddar Jack Cheese Shredded, recommended Sargento.
For the Dressing
  • 1 cup French Dressing Wish-Bone recommended.
For the Crunch
  • 1 cup Doritos Crushed, added just before serving.

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • Skillet
  • Mixing Bowl
  • spatula

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Begin by dicing one green pepper, chopping a yellow onion, and halving a handful of grape tomatoes. Shred about two cups of iceberg lettuce and set the olives aside.
  2. In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add in 8 ounces of rotini pasta and cook it until al dente, about 8-10 minutes.
  3. While the pasta is cooking, heat a skillet over medium-high heat and brown 1 pound of ground beef until no pink remains, approximately 5-7 minutes.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled rotini pasta, browned beef, diced vegetables, shredded cheese, and olives. Gently toss the ingredients together until well mixed.
  5. Pour a generous amount of French dressing over the salad mixture, and toss until everything is evenly coated. Let the salad sit for about 10 minutes.
  6. Just before serving, crush a handful of Doritos and sprinkle them over the top of the salad.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 480kcalCarbohydrates: 48gProtein: 25gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 1100mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 5gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 15IUVitamin C: 60mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 10mg

Notes

This salad can be prepared a day in advance; just hold off on adding the dressing and chips until serving time. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

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