Description
This Taco Pasta Salad is everything you love about tacos in a pasta salad! Served cold, it makes a fun dish for a party or BBQ!
Ingredients
Taco Seasoning
2 tbsp chili powder
2 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp salt
Pasta Salad
1 pound medium pasta shells
2 tbsp olive oil
1 pound ground beef
Taco Seasoning, divided
1/2 cup black beans
1 3.8oz can sliced black olives
2 roma tomatoes, diced
2 tbsp red onion, diced
1/2 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese
1 1/4 cup sour cream
Juice and Zest of 1 large lime
1 large avocado, diced
Toppings
2 cups shredded romaine lettuce
2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
1/2 large avocado, sliced
1 cup crushed tortilla chips
2 tbsp sour cream
lime slices
Instructions
Taco Seasoning
In a small bowl, mix together all of the spices, set aside
Pasta Salad
Cook pasta according to package instructions for “al dente”, set aside to cool
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat
Add the ground beef
Working with a wooden spoon brown meat
Add half of the Taco Seasoning to the meat, mix
Keep cooking until meat is fully cooked, remove from heat to cool
When the pasta and meat are cool, add them to a large bowl
Add the black beans, black olives, tomatoes, red onion and cheese, toss
In a small bowl, mix together the sour cream, remaining taco seasoning, lime zest and juice
Add the mixture to the pasta salad, toss
Refrigerate salad at least 1 hour and up to 1 day
Right before serving add the avocado, toss
Toppings
Top the pasta salad with the shredded romaine lettuce, cilantro, avocado slices, tortilla chips, sour cream and garnish with lime slices right before serving*
Notes
*You can also serve these as toppings on the side and have people add what they want to their own bowl.