Taco Pasta & Chip Salad

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Tacos are one of our favorite meals. They're an all-in-one meal. You can't beat tacos. Or can you? This pasta salad gets just as many stars here at our house, and it's great for potlucks because it goes a long way

Prep Time20

Cook Time15

Course: Pasta Salad

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Mexican-inspired salad, crunchy taco pasta

Servings:

Calories: 787kcal

Author: Sara

Ingredients

2 cups rotini noodles
1 pound of ground beef
Taco seasoning mix I used the Ortega 1.25 oz. package
1 ½ - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese just depends on how much you like cheese
3 cups chopped lettuce I like to use chopped instead of shredded because it gives even more crunch to the salad
1- pint grape or cherry tomatoes quartered
½ cup chopped onion
1 cup Catalina salad dressing
1 7 oz. bag of Fritos
Sour cream optional topping for serving

Instructions

Brown your ground beef until crumbly and no longer pink. Drain the grease and then pour back into the pan. Stir the taco seasoning into the beef mixture and place in the refrigerator to cool. Sometimes I even place it in the freezer if I'm in a hurry.
While the beef cools, boil your noodles in salted water until al dente. I taste test instead of using timers for noodles. Who likes a soggy noodle? Anyone? Anyone? I didn't think so.
Drain the noodles and run some cool water over them in the strainer. Pour the noodles into a larger bowl.
Now add your beef mixture to the noodles. Toss the lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, onion, Catalina (or French) dressing and chips into the pasta mixture. Get your muscles out, people. This step is not for wimps. Make sure it all gets mixed well and top with a few extra chips and some sour cream if you'd like.

Notes

Customizable Taco Seasoning: Adjust the amount of taco seasoning mix according to your taste preferences and spice tolerance. If you prefer a milder flavor, use less seasoning, or if you enjoy a bolder taste, add extra seasoning. You can also experiment with different brands or homemade taco seasoning blends to suit your palate.
Noodle Texture: Ensure the rotini noodles are cooked al dente to prevent them from becoming mushy once mixed with the other ingredients. Taste-testing is a great way to determine the perfect texture. Remember to drain the noodles promptly and rinse them with cool water to stop the cooking process and prevent them from sticking together.
Mixing with Care: When combining the cooked beef mixture, noodles, and other salad ingredients, handle the mixture gently to avoid crushing the Fritos and maintain the texture of the salad. Use a large spatula or spoon to toss the ingredients together evenly. Take your time to ensure everything is well incorporated without mashing the chips or bruising the lettuce.

Nutrition