Taco Pasta Salad

Taco Pasta Salad with Cheese Quesadillas

        We have a longstanding joke in our family about this pasta salad.  I have mentioned many times before that we are a baseball/softball family.  Inevitably games are often scheduled during lunch and dinner times, so we have eaten many meals on while at a game.  This pasta salad was a staple for our game meals.  It's easy to pack and delicious whether it's served cold, at room temperature, or even warmed.  Every time we make this and we aren't at a game, we joke that we should be at a game since this is our "game meal."  I know, kinda silly, but it's what makes us, us.

    I've made this pasta salad with any cut of pasta, both long and short.  I will say it's easier to eat with the short cut pastas, but just as delicious with the long pastas like angel hair (pictured above).  This could be used as a side, or it's filling enough to be used as the main meal.  Above I served the pasta salad with cheese quesadillas, both regular and dairy free.  We also add in shredded cheese separately because of our dairy allergies, so every adds cheese on theirs on their plates.  

    You may all be familiar with the Doritos Taco Salad, and this is based on that recipe.  Sometimes I will add lettuce and crushed up tortilla chips.  Often I let everyone add their own chips since we make a lot of this this for leftovers and the chips become soggy in the pasta when in the fridge.  I originally added pasta to this salad so we could use it as a meal at games.  When everyone loved it as much as they did, I kept making it that way.  I also add in black beans, corn, and even green chilies sometimes.  However you like your tacos with all of the fixings, add in or omit whatever will work best for you and your family.

This recipe serves 6-8 with leftovers as a full meal.  Feel free to cut the recipe in half if you're making this as a side dish with your meal.

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2.5 lbs ground beef
• 1/2 onion, diced
• 1 box of pasta
• 1 can of black beans, drained
• 1 4oz can of green chilies
• 1 c. frozen corn, defrosted or fresh corn
• 2 roma tomatoes, diced or 1 can of diced tomatoes
• 1 tbsp each of chili powder, cumin, paprika, and garlic powder
• salt and pepper
• 1 bottle of French or Catalina dressing
• extras: shredded cheese, tortilla chips or Doritos, lettuce, fresh cilantro, sour cream, guacamole

Directions:

1. Cook pasta according to package directions.
2. In a large skillet, add oil and heat to medium high heat.  Add ground beef.  Using a wooden or strong spatula spoon, break meat into small chunks while browning.  Season meat with spices, salt and pepper.  
3. Once the meat is cooked through, drain.
4. Drain pasta and allow to cool.  Transfer pasta to a large mixing bowl.  Add meat
5. Return skillet to medium high heat, adding a little extra oil if necessary.  Add onion and green chilies, sauteing until the onions are translucent.  Add the beans and corn to warm through. Add this mixture to the large bowl.  Toss together with dressing.  Add 1 c. of the dressing at a time.  You may not need to use the entire bottle, you will be able to tell once all of the pasta is evenly coated with the dressing.  Add more dressing accordingly.  
6. Add the following and/or serve on the side: shredded cheese, fresh cilantro, tortilla chips or Doritos, lettuce.  Serve sour cream and guacamole on the side if you'd like.

    I know you and your family will really enjoy this dish!  This has been our Taco Tuesday meal too once in a while!  Remember, this is great for a party as well.  Feel free to adjust the amounts listed above for the recipe.  Definitely a crowd pleaser!!  Enjoy!

Party Style Taco Pasta Salad

Served as a side with Chipotle Chicken Burgers