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Flavorful Taco Ranch Pasta Salad Recipe with Seasoned Ground Beef

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A quick and easy pasta salad featuring seasoned ground beef, creamy ranch dressing, and fresh veggies, perfect for summer and served cold or at room temperature.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20 blend recommended for juiciness)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 8 oz rotini or spiral pasta (whole wheat or gluten-free options work well)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • ½ cup chopped red onion
  • 1 cup diced bell peppers (mixed colors)
  • 1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
  • ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • ¾ cup ranch dressing
  • 2 tbsp lime juice
  • 1 tsp honey or agave
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 oz rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8–10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Set aside.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add 1 lb ground beef, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook for 4–5 minutes until it starts to brown.
  3. Sprinkle in 1 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp cumin, ½ tsp smoked paprika, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine, cooking another 3–4 minutes until beef is fully cooked and fragrant. Add crushed red pepper flakes if desired.
  4. Halve 1 cup cherry tomatoes, dice 1 cup bell peppers, chop ½ cup red onion, rinse 1 cup black beans, and chop ½ cup fresh cilantro.
  5. In a small bowl, whisk together ¾ cup ranch dressing, 2 tbsp fresh lime juice, and 1 tsp honey. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  6. In a large bowl, toss cooled pasta, seasoned ground beef, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, red onion, black beans, shredded cheddar cheese, and cilantro.
  7. Pour the ranch-lime dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat evenly. Adjust seasoning if needed.
  8. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to let flavors meld. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

Do not rush browning the beef to develop flavor. Rinse pasta under cold water to stop cooking and prevent sticking. Dice veggies uniformly for consistent texture. Toss dressing just before serving to avoid sogginess. Salad tastes better after chilling at least 30 minutes. Add extra ranch or lime juice if salad seems dry after chilling.

Nutrition

Keywords: taco pasta salad, ranch pasta salad, ground beef pasta salad, summer pasta salad, easy pasta salad, taco salad, creamy pasta salad

Find it online: https://forkifyfun.com/flavorful-taco-ranch-pasta-salad-recipe-with-seasoned-ground-beef-easy-and-perfect-for-summer/