Easy Taco Pasta Salad – Creamy, Cheesy, and Quick

The first time I made taco pasta salad, my kids and I laughed as we tossed pasta, seasoned ground beef, and fresh veggies together in one big bowl. From that moment, it became a weeknight favorite. This taco pasta salad is quick, easy, and family-friendly—perfect for busy evenings or casual gatherings. With creamy dressing, customizable ingredients, and optional Doritos crunch, it’s a dish everyone can enjoy and make their own.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Taco pasta salad is one of those recipes that instantly becomes a family favorite. It’s quick, easy, and packed with flavor, making it perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. This taco pasta salad combines tender pasta, seasoned ground beef or chicken, fresh vegetables, shredded cheese, and a creamy, zesty dressing, creating a dish that’s both satisfying and customizable. You can make it vegetarian by swapping beans for meat or add a crunchy twist with Doritos. The beauty of this taco pasta salad is that it’s a balanced one-pot meal, ready in under 30 minutes, yet full of bold, crowd-pleasing flavors. Whether you’re looking for an easy taco pasta salad with mayo, a Doritos-topped version, or a ranch taco pasta salad, this recipe has it all. It’s versatile, family-friendly, and perfect for meal prep or last-minute entertaining. Once you try this taco pasta salad recipe, it’s guaranteed to become a staple in your recipe rotation, loved by kids and adults alike.

Ingredients for This Recipe

This taco pasta salad is a combination of fresh, flavorful, and versatile ingredients that come together to create a creamy, zesty, and satisfying dish. The pasta provides a hearty base, while seasoned ground beef, chicken, or beans add protein. Fresh vegetables like cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, and corn give crunch and color, complemented by shredded cheddar and olives for richness and depth. The dressing, made with mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, and taco spices, ties everything together. Optional crushed Doritos on top add a fun, crunchy twist. Using these ingredients, you can easily customize your taco pasta salad to your taste, make it vegetarian, or add extra spice. This combination ensures every bite is packed with taco-inspired flavor while remaining easy to prepare and family-friendly. With simple pantry staples and fresh produce, this taco pasta salad recipe is ready in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for quick dinners, potlucks, or casual gatherings.

🛒 Ingredients (serves 6–8):

For the Salad:
12 oz rotini or shell pasta
1 lb ground beef, chicken, or cooked beans for vegetarian version
1 packet taco seasoning (or 2 tbsp homemade)
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup canned corn, drained
1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
½ cup sliced black olives
½ cup diced red bell pepper
½ cup diced red onion
1 cup crushed Doritos (optional for topping)

For the Dressing:
½ cup mayonnaise
½ cup sour cream
1 tbsp lime juice
1 tsp chili powder
½ tsp cumin
Salt and pepper, to taste

How to Make This Recipe

Making taco pasta salad is simple, quick, and perfect for family dinners or potlucks. The key is to cook each component perfectly before combining for maximum flavor. Start by boiling pasta until al dente, then cool it under cold water to prevent it from sticking. Cook ground beef, chicken, or beans with taco seasoning for that classic taco pasta salad flavor. Fresh vegetables, shredded cheese, and olives add texture and color. Finally, toss everything with a creamy dressing made from mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, and spices. Top with optional crushed Doritos for extra crunch. This easy taco pasta salad can be customized for meat lovers or vegetarians and works as a filling, balanced one-pot meal. Following these steps ensures every bite of your taco pasta salad is full of bold, cheesy, and zesty flavor that your family will love.

🛒 Steps:

Cook 12 oz rotini or shell pasta until al dente, then rinse under cold water.
In a skillet, cook 1 lb ground beef, chicken, or beans over medium heat until done.
Add 1 packet taco seasoning (or 2 tbsp homemade) with ¼ cup water and simmer 2–3 minutes.
In a large bowl, combine pasta, cooked protein, 1 cup cherry tomatoes, 1 cup corn, 1 cup black beans, ½ cup diced red bell pepper, ½ cup diced red onion, 1 cup shredded cheddar, and ½ cup sliced olives.
Whisk together ½ cup mayonnaise, ½ cup sour cream, 1 tbsp lime juice, 1 tsp chili powder, ½ tsp cumin, and salt and pepper to taste.
Pour dressing over pasta mixture and toss until evenly coated.
Chill taco pasta salad for 30 minutes.
Top with 1 cup crushed Doritos (optional) just before serving.
Customize taco pasta salad by swapping meat with beans or adding extra taco seasoning for more spice.

Expert Cooking Tips

Making the perfect taco pasta salad is all about balancing flavor, texture, and timing. Start with perfectly cooked pasta and seasoned protein—ground beef, chicken, or beans—so every bite of your taco pasta salad is flavorful. Fresh vegetables like cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, corn, and onions add crunch and color, while shredded cheddar and olives bring richness. The creamy dressing of mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, and taco spices ties everything together. Optional crushed Doritos add that iconic taco pasta salad crunch. Following these expert tips ensures your taco pasta salad is easy, customizable, and loved by both kids and adults.

💡 Expert Tips:

Cook pasta until al dente and rinse under cold water to prevent sticking.
Brown 1 lb ground beef, chicken, or beans and add 1 packet taco seasoning for bold taco pasta salad flavor.
Use fresh vegetables like 1 cup cherry tomatoes, 1 cup corn, 1 cup black beans, ½ cup diced red bell pepper, and ½ cup diced red onion for texture and color.
Add 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese and ½ cup sliced olives for richness.
Whisk together ½ cup mayonnaise, ½ cup sour cream, 1 tbsp lime juice, 1 tsp chili powder, ½ tsp cumin, salt, and pepper for creamy dressing.
Chill taco pasta salad 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.
Top with 1 cup crushed Doritos just before serving for crunch.
Customize taco pasta salad by swapping meat with beans or adding extra taco seasoning for more spice.

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Taco pasta salad is a quick, easy, and family-friendly dish that brings together the bold flavors of tacos in a creamy, cheesy pasta salad. Whether you make it with ground beef, chicken, or a vegetarian twist, this taco pasta salad is fully customizable and perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, or casual gatherings. With fresh vegetables, zesty dressing, and optional Doritos for crunch, this easy taco pasta salad recipe is guaranteed to become a favorite in your recipe collection.

Taco Pasta Salad

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• Author: Savannah
• Total Time: ~55 minutes
• Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

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Description

A creamy, cheesy, and flavorful pasta salad with taco-seasoned ground beef or chicken, crunchy veggies, and optional Doritos for extra crunch. Perfect for potlucks, weeknight dinners, or summer gatherings. Easily customizable with or without meat, and comes together in under 30 minutes.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

🛒 Ingredients (serves 6–8):

For the Salad:

• 12 oz rotini or shell pasta

• 1 lb ground beef, chicken, or cooked beans for vegetarian version

• 1 packet taco seasoning (or 2 tbsp homemade)

• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

• 1 cup canned corn, drained

• 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed

• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

• ½ cup sliced black olives

• ½ cup diced red bell pepper

• ½ cup diced red onion

• 1 cup crushed Doritos (optional for topping)

For the Dressing:

• ½ cup mayonnaise

• ½ cup sour cream

• 1 tbsp lime juice

• 1 tsp chili powder

• ½ tsp cumin

• Salt and pepper, to taste

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Instructions

📝 Instructions:

Step 1: Cook Pasta

• Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.

Step 2: Cook Protein

• In a skillet, cook ground beef or chicken over medium heat until browned. Drain excess fat.

• Add taco seasoning and ¼ cup water, simmer 2–3 minutes until well coated. Cool slightly.

Step 3: Make Dressing

• In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste.

Step 4: Assemble Salad

• In a large bowl, combine pasta, cooked protein (or beans), veggies, cheese, and olives.

• Pour dressing over salad and toss until evenly coated.

Step 5: Chill and Serve

• Refrigerate at least 30 minutes before serving for flavors to meld.

• Just before serving, sprinkle crushed Doritos on top for crunch.

Notes

• Vegetarian Version: Replace meat with black beans, corn, or taco-seasoned tofu.
• Make Ahead: Prepare up to 1 day in advance; add Doritos right before serving to keep them crunchy.
• Flavor Boost: Add chopped jalapeños or a drizzle of taco sauce for extra heat.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Salad / Party Dish
• Method: Boiled / Skillet / Tossed
• Cuisine: Mexican-American Fusion