Cowboy Pasta Salad

This colorful Cowboy Pasta Salad is guaranteed to bring the flavor to your pasta salads menu. It’s so hearty, it can double as a side dish or an entree.

Easy Cowboy Pasta Salad Recipe

This pasta salad is another one of our favorite recipes that does double duty. Like my uber popular chicken bacon ranch layer salad and BLT layered pasta salad all of which can make a complete meal themselves. Colorful salads  are eye candy on the table and they always looks stunning on the table regardless of the type of gathering, Be it a casual game day soiree, or a holiday event. To make quick Cowboy Pasta salad with ground beef:

• Beef – Lean ground beef or ground sirloin.
• Pasta – One pound bow tie pasta.
• Bacon – Cooked and crumbled classic bacon.
• Vegetables – Onion, cherry tomatoes, green onions, jalapeno pepper (or green bell pepper), canned sweet corn  and black beans.
• Cheese – Shredded colby-jack, cheddar or pepper jack cheese
• Garnish – Cilantro and jalapeno.
• Dressing – Mayonnaise, barbecue sauce, sour cream, dry Ranch salad dressing mix and taco seasoning.

How to Make the Best Cowboy Pasta Salad Recipe

What is Cowboy Pasta Salad? It’s just a fun name given to this hearty beef pasta salad that includes taco seasonings, jalapeno pepper and Tex Mex flavors.

• Ingredients you’ll need to make homemade Cowboy Pasta Salad: Bow tie pasta, lean ground beef, bacon, onion, cherry tomatoes, green onions, jalapeno pepper, black beans, corn, chopped cilantro and two cups shredded colby jack or pepper jack cheese.
• For the dressing you’ll need: Mayonnaise, sour cream, barbecue sauce, one packet of dry Ranch salad dressing mix and taco seasoning.
• Kitchen gadgets you’ll need: A large skillet to cook the ground beef and bacon, a sharp knife and chopping board, measuring cups and spoons, a pasta pot, large mixing bowl, cheese grater and a large silicone spatula or spoon to mix everything together.
• Don’t be intimidated by the ingredient list. The ingredients aren’t difficult to find, and consider that you’re making the dressing homemade as well.
• You can swap out pinto beans or light red kidney beans for the black beans.
• 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.
• The dressing for this salad recipe can also be prepared one day in advance and chilled until assembling the entire salad.
• I love making this dish with bow tie pasta but of course, you can use your favorite shape of pasta in the same amount.
• I recommend that you wait until the very end to 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.
• You can also garnish this salad with crushed Fritos or tortilla chips just before serving.
• Store leftover Cowboy Pasta Salad in an airtight container chilled in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

More Southern Style Cowboy Inspired Recipes to Make

My family loves anything dubbed “cowboy.” These recipes remain on a regular rotation on our dinner and appetizers menu. More mouthwatering recipe to try:

• 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