Quick Taco Pasta Salad That'll Make You Love Meal Prep
Quick Taco Pasta Salad is a flavorful mix of rotini, ground beef, and fresh veggies, perfect for meal prep.
Equipment
- - Large pot
- - Skillet
- - Mixing bowl
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 1 pound Ground Beef Use 85/15 for the juiciest result.
- 2 tablespoons Taco Seasoning McCormick's Mild is a great choice!
- 8 ounces Rotini Pasta Cook until al dente.
- 1 medium Green Pepper Can substitute with any colored bell pepper.
- 1 medium Yellow Onion Red onion can be used for a subtler taste.
- 1 cup Grape Tomatoes Halved for better mixing.
- 1 cup Cheddar Jack Cheese Sargento is recommended.
- 2 cups Iceberg Lettuce Can use Romaine for a different flavor.
- 1/2 cup Black Olives Optional.
- 1/2 cup French Dressing Wish-Bone is a tasty option.
For the Crunch
- 2 cups Doritos Keep separate until serving.
Instructions
Preparation
- Start by dicing the green pepper, chopping the onion, halving the grape tomatoes, and shredding the iceberg lettuce. Set aside the black olives for later!
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rotini pasta until it's al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process.
- In a skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat, stirring until there's no pink remaining. Add the taco seasoning and a splash of water, and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- In a large mixing bowl, toss together the cooked pasta, seasoned beef, all your prepped vegetables, cheese, and olives. Mix until everything is well combined.
- Drizzle the French dressing over the salad mixture and stir until every bite is coated.
- Just before serving, crush the Doritos over the salad and fold them in lightly to preserve their crunch.
Notes
This recipe is easily customizable—add your favorite veggies or proteins and adjust the dressings to your liking.