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Creamy Taco Ranch Pasta Salad

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A quick and easy creamy taco ranch pasta salad with seasoned ground beef, perfect for busy evenings, potlucks, or casual meals. This flavorful dish combines creamy ranch dressing with taco-seasoned beef and tender pasta for a satisfying comfort meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces rotini or elbow macaroni pasta
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio recommended)
  • 1 packet (1 oz) taco seasoning mix (or homemade blend of chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper)
  • 1 cup ranch dressing
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained (optional)
  • 1/2 cup corn kernels (fresh, canned, or thawed frozen)
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/4 cup chopped green onions or fresh cilantro

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 oz rotini or elbow macaroni and cook according to package instructions, about 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Set aside.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spatula until fully browned and no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
  3. Sprinkle the 1 oz taco seasoning evenly over the beef. Add about 1/4 cup water, stir to combine, and let simmer for 2-3 minutes until the seasoning thickens and coats the beef well. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  4. In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 cup ranch dressing, 1/2 cup sour cream, and 1 tablespoon lime juice until smooth. Taste and adjust lime juice or seasoning if needed.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled pasta, seasoned ground beef, 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1 cup rinsed black beans, 1/2 cup corn kernels, 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese, and 1/4 cup chopped green onions or cilantro.
  6. Pour the creamy taco ranch dressing over the salad ingredients. Gently toss everything together until well coated.
  7. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors marry. Before serving, give the salad a quick toss and add optional toppings like diced avocado or crushed tortilla chips if desired.

Notes

Do not overcook the pasta; al dente is best to avoid mushiness. Rinse pasta with cold water to remove excess starch. Let the beef cool before mixing to prevent the dressing from breaking. Toss gently to keep pasta shapes intact. Chill for at least 30 minutes for best flavor. Add fresh lime juice before serving to brighten flavors. Optional toppings include diced avocado or crushed tortilla chips.

Nutrition

Keywords: taco pasta salad, creamy ranch pasta salad, easy pasta salad, taco ranch salad, ground beef pasta salad, quick dinner, potluck recipe

Find it online: https://avabowls.com/creamy-taco-ranch-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-best-5-ingredient-meal/