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Cowboy Pasta Salad Recipe

Cowboy Pasta Salad Recipe
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5.3 from 15 reviews

This Cowboy Pasta Salad recipe is a flavorful twist on traditional pasta salad, featuring hearty ingredients like ground beef, black beans, and a zesty taco dressing. Perfect for gatherings or quick weeknight meals!

Ingredients

Ground Beef Mixture:

  • 16 ounces lean ground beef (90/10 preferred)
  • 1 small yellow onion, minced
  • ½ teaspoon fine sea salt, or to taste
  • ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper, or to taste

Pasta:

  • 16 ounces dry pasta (such as rotini)
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

Cowboy Pasta Salad Dressing:

  • ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 limes, juiced
  • 3 tablespoons taco seasoning
  • 12 ounces frozen corn, thawed, or 15 oz canned, drained
  • 15 oz black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated or cubed
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced
  • 1 jalapeño, diced
  • 2 green onions, sliced

Garnish (Optional):

  • Fresh cilantro, chopped
  • Fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Ground Beef Mixture: In a skillet, cook ground beef and onion until browned. Drain excess grease, season with salt and pepper, then set aside.
  2. Pasta: Cook pasta according to package instructions. Toss with olive oil and set aside.
  3. Cowboy Pasta Salad Dressing: Combine olive oil, lime juice, and taco seasoning in a large bowl; whisk to mix.
  4. Assembly: Combine pasta, ground beef mixture, corn, black beans, cheddar cheese, tomatoes, bell peppers, jalapeños, and green onions. Toss to combine.
  5. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Garnish with cilantro or parsley before serving.

Notes

  • Cowboy Pasta Salad stores well for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
  • Avoid freezing due to fresh veggie ingredients.
  • Prepare up to a day in advance for enhanced flavors.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookedbysarah.com/cowboy-pasta-salad-recipee/