Description
Saddle up for bold, unforgettable flavor with our Cowboy Pasta Salad – a hearty, zesty mix of veggies, pasta, and smoky goodness in every bite!
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz rotini pasta, cooked and cooled
- 1 lb ground beef, cooked and drained
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup corn (canned or thawed frozen)
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- ½ cup chopped red onion
- ½ cup sliced green onions
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ⅓ cup BBQ sauce
- ⅓ cup ranch dressing
- 1 tsp chili powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook rotini pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain, rinse under cold water, and set aside.
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef with chili powder, salt, and pepper until browned. Drain excess fat and let cool slightly.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled pasta, cooked beef, cherry tomatoes, black beans, corn, green bell pepper, red onion, green onions, and cheddar cheese.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together BBQ sauce and ranch dressing until smooth.
- Pour dressing over the salad mixture and toss thoroughly to coat.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving for the best flavor. Garnish with extra green onions or cheese if desired.
Notes
- Can be made a day ahead; flavors develop more overnight.
- Use ground turkey or plant-based meat as a lighter alternative.
- Great for potlucks and outdoor gatherings.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Southwestern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 65mg