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Cowboy Pasta Salad
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Cowboy Pasta Salad

Course Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Keyword cowboy-pasta-salad, pasta-salad-recipes
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Chill time 2 hours
Servings 8 servings
Calories 520kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 lb bow tie pasta cooked to al dente
  • 1/2 lb bacon cooked and diced reserve 3 Tbsp drippings
  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 1 small onion diced
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 bunch green onions thinly sliced
  • 1 small jalapeno pepper (or green bell pepper) seeded and diced
  • 1 14.5 oz can sweet corn drained
  • 1 14.5 oz black beans drained and rinsed
  • 2 cups shredded colby-jack, cheddar or pepper jack cheese
  • 1/4 cup chopped cilantro may adjust to taste (optional)
  • Dressing:
  • 1 cup real mayonnaise
  • 1 8 oz sour cream
  • 1/2 cup barbecue sauce (i.e. Sweet Baby Ray's or your favorite)
  • 1 1.0 oz packet dry Ranch dressing mix
  • 1 1.0 oz packet taco seasoning

Instructions

  • Cook pasta in salted water until al dente per the package instructions. Drain well.
  • Meanwhile, in a large skillet, fry bacon until crisp over medium-high heat. Remove using a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain, then dice. Reserve 3 Tbsp drippings in skillet.
  • Add ground beef and diced onion to drippings. Cook over medium-high heat until no pink remains, drain excess fat from pan.
  • In an extra large mixing bowl, add cooked pasta, ground beef, bacon, cherry tomatoes, green onions, jalapeno, shredded cheese, corn, black beans and cilantro.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, barbecue sauce, Ranch dressing mix and taco seasoning. Whisk until fully combined. (This can be done in advance and chilled until assembling.)
  • Add dressing to salad. Mix well. Taste and adjust salt, if needed.
  • Place into an airtight container and chill for at least 4 hours before serving.
  • Store chilled in an air tight container.

Notes

  • I recommend that you wait until the very end to adjust salt. The dressing mix and taco seasoning will likely have ample. Adjust to your own taste.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 520kcal | Carbohydrates: 56g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 58mg | Sodium: 648mg | Potassium: 587mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 454IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 3mg