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Creamy Taco Ranch Pasta Salad Recipe with Seasoned Beef and Fritos

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A creamy, tangy, and crunchy pasta salad featuring seasoned beef, ranch dressing, and Fritos, perfect for summer parties and quick gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces rotini or spiral pasta
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
  • 1 cup ranch dressing
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 3 green onions, sliced
  • 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed (optional)
  • 1 cup Fritos corn chips, crushed lightly
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
  • Juice from 1 lime

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces of rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Set aside to drain well.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 pound ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
  3. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning evenly over the beef. Pour in 1/4 cup water and stir to combine. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until the seasoning is absorbed and beef is flavorful but not dry. Remove from heat.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 1 cup ranch dressing, 1/2 cup sour cream, and juice from 1 lime to create the creamy, tangy dressing.
  5. Add the cooled pasta, seasoned beef, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 3 sliced green onions, and 1 cup drained black beans to the bowl with the creamy dressing. Toss gently to coat everything evenly.
  6. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to let flavors meld and the salad chill thoroughly.
  7. Just before serving, sprinkle 1 cup crushed Fritos corn chips and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro over the salad. Toss lightly to combine or serve sprinkled on top for extra texture contrast.

Notes

Do not overcook pasta; al dente is best to avoid mushiness. Add Fritos just before serving to keep them crunchy. Use fresh lime juice for best flavor. For gluten-free, swap pasta and chips accordingly. For dairy-free, use dairy-free ranch and sour cream substitutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: taco ranch pasta salad, creamy pasta salad, seasoned beef pasta salad, summer party salad, Fritos pasta salad, easy pasta salad

Find it online: https://emmayum.com/creamy-taco-ranch-pasta-salad-recipe-with-seasoned-beef-and-fritos-easy-and-perfect-for-summer-parties/