Description
A refreshing and flavorful pasta salad that’s perfect for summer gatherings, combining the deliciousness of taco flavors with pasta and the crunch of Doritos.
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 ounces rotini pasta
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 ounce taco seasoning
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- ¼ cup thinly sliced green onions
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 cup Catalina dressing
- 2 cups nacho cheese Doritos, crushed
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add the rotini pasta, and cook according to the package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta in a colander and rinse it thoroughly under cold running water to stop the cooking process and cool the noodles completely.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground beef, and cook until completely browned, breaking it up as it cooks for about 6 to 8 minutes. Drain any excess grease from the skillet.
- Return the skillet to the stove over medium-low heat, sprinkle the taco seasoning packet over the meat, and add the amount of water specified on the seasoning packet. Simmer for 3 to 5 minutes until the liquid reduces, then remove the skillet from the heat and let the beef cool completely.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled rotini pasta, cooled taco ground beef, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced green onions, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, and shredded Monterey Jack cheese.
- Pour the Catalina dressing over the pasta mixture and toss all the ingredients together with a large spoon until everything is evenly coated.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and place it in the refrigerator to chill for at least 4 hours, allowing the flavors to meld together before serving.
- Just before serving the salad, gently fold in the crushed nacho cheese Doritos and top with the chopped fresh cilantro. Enjoy!
Notes
- Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. This salad is meant to be served cold and freezing it is not an option.
- If you can help it, store the salad without the Doritos and add a fresh handful each time you serve.
- Both the pasta and beef need to be completely cold before they touch anything else in the bowl.
- Give the salad its full four hours in the fridge for optimal flavor.
- Hold the Doritos until right before serving to maintain their crunch.
- Rinse your pasta under cold water after cooking to prevent overcooking and clumping.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing and Chilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 50mg