Description
A hearty Western-inspired pasta salad featuring seasoned ground beef, black beans, and smoky seasonings, perfect for potlucks and outdoor gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound pasta (rotini or similar)
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup corn kernels
- 1/2 red onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package instructions, drain and let cool
- Brown ground beef with taco seasoning, drain excess fat
- In a large bowl, combine cooled pasta, seasoned beef, and all vegetables
- Whisk together olive oil and lime juice for dressing
- Pour dressing over salad and toss to combine
- Garnish with fresh cilantro
- Chill for at least 1 hour before serving
Notes
- Can be made vegetarian by replacing beef with extra beans or chickpeas
- Prepare up to 24 hours in advance
- Reserve some dressing to refresh the next day
- Keeps well at room temperature for up to 2 hours
- Can substitute ground beef with chicken, turkey, or tofu
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mix
- Cuisine: Western
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: cowboy pasta salad, western pasta salad, potluck dish, make ahead salad
