Print

The Best Cowboy Pasta Salad Recipe

The Best Cowboy Pasta Salad Recipe
Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5.3 from 8 reviews

This Cowboy Pasta Salad recipe is a hearty and flavorful dish perfect for a picnic or potluck. Loaded with ground beef, black beans, corn, and a zesty dressing, it’s a crowd-pleaser that’s easy to make.

Ingredients

For the Salad:

  • 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
  • 16 ounces dry pasta (such as rotini)
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 12 ounces frozen corn, thawed, or (1) 15 oz can, drained
  • 15 ounces black beans, canned, 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
  • Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish
  • Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

For the Dressing:

  • ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 limes, juiced
  • 3 tablespoons taco seasoning, or (1) 1 oz packet

Instructions

  1. Cook Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef and onion until browned. Drain excess grease, season with salt and pepper, and set aside to cool.
  2. Cook Pasta: Cook pasta according to package instructions. Toss with olive oil and set aside.
  3. Prepare Dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, lime juice, and taco seasoning.
  4. Assemble Salad: Combine pasta, beef mixture, corn, black beans, cheese, tomatoes, bell peppers, jalapeños, and green onions in the bowl with the dressing.
  5. Toss and Chill: Mix everything well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Garnish with cilantro or parsley before serving.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookedbysarah.com/the-best-cowboy-pasta-salad-recipe/