Cowboy Pasta Salad

This colorful Cowboy Pasta Salad is full of down-home flavor that’ll liven up any table. It’s hearty enough to serve as a main dish, but it also works well as a side dish for cookouts, potlucks, picnics or Sunday supper.

Ingredients to Make Cowboy Pasta Salad Recipe

What is Cowboy Pasta Salad?It’s a fun, flavorful twist on traditional pasta salad, packed with hearty ground beef, taco seasonings, jalapeño, and Tex-Mex flair. This satisfying dish is one of our go-to favorites that does double duty, equally delicious as a side or filling enough to stand on its own as a main dish. Much like our popular Chicken Bacon Ranch Layer Salad and BLT Layered Pasta Salad, Cowboy Pasta Salad is a complete meal in a bowl. Its vibrant colors make it a true showstopper on any table, whether you’re hosting a casual game day get-together or a festive holiday celebration. Checkout this list of ingredients you’ll need to make Cowboy Pasta Salad southern living style: (Scroll down for the full printable recipe card.)

• Beef – Lean ground beef or ground sirloin gives this pasta salad main dish vibes.
• Pasta – One pound bow tie pasta.
• Bacon – Cooked crispy bacon gives the pasta a smoky flavor.
• Vegetables – Onion, cherry tomatoes (grape tomatoes), green onions, jalapeño pepper, sweet corn and black beans add bulk and texture.
• Cheese – Shredded colby-jack, sharp cheddar cheese or pepper jack cheese for more spice.
• Garnish – Cilantro and jalapeno for color.
• Dressing – Mayonnaise, barbecue sauce, sour cream, dry Ranch seasoning and taco seasoning.

How to Make the Best Cowboy Pasta Salad Recipe

• Boil Farfalle Pasta – Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente per the package instructions. Drain well.
• Fry Bacon – Fry bacon until crisp over medium-high heat in a skillet. Remove using a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain, then dice. Reserve bacon grease in skillet.
• Sauté Ground Beef – Add ground beef and diced onion to drippings. Cook over medium-high heat until no pink remains, drain excess fat from pan.
• Combine – In a large mixing bowl, add cooked pasta, ground beef, bacon, cherry tomatoes, green onions, jalapeno, shredded cheese, corn, black beans and cilantro.
• Make the Dressing – Whisk together dressing ingredients until fully combined.
• Pour Dressing – Add dressing to ingredients in the bowl. Stir to combine.
• Refrigerate – Place into an airtight container and chill for at least 4 hours before serving.

Kitchen Equipment to Make Easy Cowboy Pasta Salad

• A large skillet to cook the ground beef and bacon.
• Sharp knife and chopping board to prep the veggies.
• Measuring cups and spoons.
• Large pasta pot.
• Large bowl plus a large rubber spatula or spoon to toss everything together.
• Cheese grater for freshly shredded cheese because it tastes the best!

Recipe Variations, Tips and Substitutions

• Simple Easy to Find Ingredients – Don’t be intimidated by the ingredient list. The ingredients aren’t difficult to find, plus we’re making the dressing from scratch, as well.
• Pasta – I love making this dish with bow tie pasta (farfalle) but of course, you can use your favorite shape of pasta in the same amount. Rotini, penne, medium shells or jumbo elbow macaroni would all work.
• Protein – You could switch up the flavor by using rotisserie chicken, leftover turkey, chorizo sausage or ground turkey in place of ground beef.
• Barbecue Sauce – You can fully customize the taste of this salad using your favorite bbq sauce.
• Beans – You can swap out the black beans using pinto beans or light red kidney beans instead.
• Mayonnaise – The dressing for this salad has a bit of a spicy-sweet vibe, but not too sweet. The barbecue sauce lends some smoky notes to the mayo and can be adjusted depending on the brand you use. If you choose to use an alternative like Miracle Whip, do note that it will make it even sweeter.
• Fresh Herbs – If you don’t care for cilantro you could use fresh parsley, basil, chives or scallions.
• Vegetables – You could use mild red bell pepper for less spice. You could also add chopped broccoli.
• Adjust the Salt to Taste – I recommend that you wait until the salad is fully assembled adjust the salt. The Ranch salad dressing mix (i.e. Hidden Valley) and taco seasoning will likely have an ample amount. Since salt is completely subjective, it’s fine to wait and then adjust to your own taste.
• Optional Garnishes – You can also garnish this salad with crushed Fritos or tortilla chips just before serving.

Storage and Leftovers

• Make-Ahead Tip – The dressing for this salad recipe can be prepared one day in advance and chilled in the fridge until assembling the entire salad.
• Leftovers – Store leftover Cowboy Pasta Salad in an airtight container chilled in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Freezer – I don’t recommend freezing this pasta salad. The fresh ingredients and the dressing can separate once thawed.

More Southern Living Cowboy Inspired Recipes to Make

• Cowboy Casserole is a one dish meal featuring a crispy tater tot topping.
• Cowboy Spaghetti features a spicy chili and bean filling.
• Simmer supper in your crockpot with this Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole.
• Cowboy Queso is made in a slow cooker making it ideal for game day and casual gatherings.
• Cowboy Caviar is not only filled with vibrant colors and flavors but it’s healthy, too!
• Peanut Butter Cowboy Cookies for dessert.
• Stovetop Skillet Cowboy Rice Casserole is a one dish meal.
• You may also enjoy these slow cooker Cowboy Beans from Mom on Timeout.

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Helpful Kitchen Items:

• Mixing Bowls
• Knife and Chopping Board
• Measuring Set
• Colander