Description
Rustic cowboy pasta salad brings southwestern flair to summer gatherings with bold pasta, crisp bacon, and zesty ranch dressing. Ranch-infused noodles and smoky beef create a hearty meal you’ll crave at every backyard cookout.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 1 pound lean ground beef, cooked and drained
- 1 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 ounce (28 grams) packet taco seasoning
Pasta and Vegetables:
- 16 ounces (454 grams) bow tie pasta
- 15 ounces (425 grams) can corn, drained
- 15 ounces (425 grams) can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced
- 1/2 cup scallions, chopped
Cheese:
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Boil bow tie pasta in salted water at a rolling boil for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and rinse with cold water to halt cooking process.
- Brown ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat for 6-7 minutes, breaking into small crumbles until no pink remains.
- Drain beef’s excess fat and sprinkle taco seasoning, stirring thoroughly to distribute evenly and let cool for 5 minutes.
- Crisp bacon in a separate pan until golden and rendered, then crumble into bite-sized pieces.
- Combine cooled pasta, seasoned beef, crumbled bacon, corn kernels, black beans, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced scallions, and shredded cheddar cheese in a large mixing bowl.
- Whisk mayonnaise, tangy barbecue sauce, and Worcestershire sauce in a small bowl until smooth and well-integrated.
- Drizzle dressing over pasta mixture, gently folding to ensure complete and even coating of all ingredients.
- Refrigerate salad for minimum 1 hour to allow flavors to harmonize and develop depth, serving chilled for optimal taste.
Notes
- Customize the pasta type to match dietary needs or preferences, like whole wheat or gluten-free options for a healthier twist.
- Swap ground beef with plant-based crumbles or grilled chicken to accommodate vegetarian or lighter protein choices.
- Boost nutrition by adding extra vegetables like diced bell peppers or roasted zucchini for increased color and vitamins.
- Make ahead and store in an airtight container for up to 3 days, allowing flavors to develop and making meal prep a breeze.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 536
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 591 mg
- Fat: 29 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 87 mg