This Taco Pasta Salad is a vibrant mash-up of Tex-Mex flair and picnic-ready pasta salad. From the juicy seasoned beef to the colorful vegetables and shredded cheddar cheese, every element is tossed in tangy Catalina dressing for a creamy, bold finish. The real star? A generous handful of crushed Nacho Doritos added just before serving — giving this dish an irresistible crunch with every bite.
Perfect for potlucks, BBQs, or a simple weeknight dinner, this crowd-pleasing recipe is as easy to make as it is delicious. With the heat of jalapeño, the sweetness of corn, and the savory bite of taco meat, it’s a balanced and exciting take on both taco night and pasta salad traditions. Just be warned: once you bring this dish out, it’ll disappear fast!
Full Recipe:
Base:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 8 ounces rotini pasta, cooked al dente
Vegetables & Cheese:
- 1 medium jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely diced
- 1 medium Roma tomato, finely diced
- 1 can (15.25 oz) corn kernels, drained
- ½ cup red bell pepper, finely diced
- ½ cup yellow onion, diced
- 2 cups mild cheddar cheese, shredded
Dressing & Toppings:
- 1 cup Catalina dressing
- 1 bag (9.25 oz) Nacho Doritos, slightly crushed
- Diced iceberg lettuce for garnish (optional)
Directions:
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In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked (about 8–10 minutes). Drain excess fat, stir in taco seasoning, and set aside.
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In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked pasta, jalapeño, tomatoes, corn, bell pepper, onion, shredded cheddar cheese, and the seasoned beef.
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Pour in Catalina dressing and mix until everything is evenly coated.
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Just before serving, fold in crushed Doritos and gently toss.
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Garnish with extra chips and diced lettuce, if desired.
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 25 minutes
Kcal: 630 kcal | Servings: 6 servings
The Best of Both Worlds: Taco Meets Pasta Salad
Taco Pasta Salad is one of those brilliant culinary mashups that take two beloved comfort foods and merge them into something even better. This dish combines the bold, spiced flavors of a traditional taco with the creamy, cool satisfaction of a pasta salad. It’s no surprise that it’s become a potluck favorite and a regular weeknight staple in many homes.
It’s hearty enough to serve as a main dish, but also flexible enough to accompany a wide variety of other meals. With ingredients like seasoned ground beef, crisp vegetables, shredded cheese, and a generous drizzle of creamy Catalina dressing, it offers layers of flavor in every bite. The cherry on top—or rather, the crunch on top—is a generous handful of crushed Doritos, which brings a fun, nostalgic crunch that makes this salad especially appealing to kids and adults alike.
Why This Taco Pasta Salad Works So Well
What makes this recipe such a hit is its balance. It doesn’t lean too heavily on one flavor or texture. The taco seasoning brings warmth and depth, while the pasta provides a soft and satisfying base. The fresh vegetables bring color, crunch, and brightness, while the cheese offers a creamy, slightly salty richness.
Then, there’s the dressing. Catalina dressing, with its sweet-tangy profile, contrasts wonderfully with the savory taco meat and spicy jalapeños. It’s not something you’d find in a traditional taco, but in the context of a pasta salad, it fits perfectly and pulls everything together.
And finally, the chips. Adding crushed Doritos at the end isn’t just a fun gimmick—it’s a smart move that adds crunch, flavor, and that unmistakable taco-night feel. It also makes this dish feel like a celebration.
Customizable and Crowd-Friendly
Another reason this dish is a fan favorite is its high customizability. You can easily tailor it to fit your crowd or dietary preferences.
Want to make it vegetarian? Swap the beef for black beans or pinto beans, and you’ve got a plant-based protein alternative that still brings heartiness and flavor. Need it gluten-free? Use gluten-free pasta and double-check your seasoning and chips to make sure they meet the requirements. Prefer a different cheese? Try Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack for some heat, or even a dairy-free alternative if you’re going vegan.
The spice level is also fully adjustable. You can leave the jalapeño out for kids or those with milder palates, or amp it up with hot sauce, spicier taco seasoning, or fresh chilies. The salad is also friendly to picky eaters—you can keep the components separated and let guests build their own bowls, much like a taco bar.
Perfect for Potlucks, BBQs, and Make-Ahead Meals
Taco Pasta Salad shines at gatherings. It’s colorful, it’s fun, and it looks as good as it tastes. Served cold or at room temperature, it’s great for picnics, cookouts, birthday parties, or any event where people are eating buffet-style.
It also stores well. You can prep the pasta, beef, vegetables, and cheese ahead of time and keep everything chilled separately. Just before serving, mix everything together, toss with dressing, and fold in the chips. This “just-in-time assembly” approach keeps the salad from getting soggy and makes your prep work simple and stress-free.
If you want to level up your presentation, consider setting up a mini topping bar next to the bowl. Offer extras like sliced black olives, chopped cilantro, avocado cubes, hot sauce, or even lime wedges. It turns a simple salad into an interactive experience your guests will love.
The Role of Catalina Dressing
One of the most intriguing parts of Taco Pasta Salad is the choice of dressing. Catalina dressing is a vibrant red, slightly sweet and tangy salad dressing often made from tomato paste, vinegar, sugar, and a few spices. It may not be the first thing you associate with tacos or pasta, but it’s a surprisingly great pairing here.
The dressing coats the pasta beautifully without overwhelming the other ingredients. It also enhances the seasoning from the taco meat, balances out the saltiness of the cheese and chips, and adds a pop of color. If Catalina dressing isn’t your thing, you can substitute French dressing or Western-style dressing. Ranch dressing with a bit of taco seasoning mixed in also offers a creamy, more savory alternative.
Nutritional Notes
While this dish isn’t designed to be ultra-light or diet-friendly, it’s still a well-rounded meal with a good balance of macronutrients. The beef and cheese supply ample protein and fat, while the pasta and corn contribute complex carbohydrates. The vegetables add fiber, vitamins, and minerals, which boost the overall nutritional profile.
If you’re looking to reduce the calorie content, consider using leaner ground meat, a light or homemade dressing, and baked tortilla chips instead of traditional Doritos. You can also add in extra vegetables like shredded lettuce, chopped cucumbers, or even sautéed zucchini to lighten it up further.
Flavors and Texture That Hit Every Note
The appeal of Taco Pasta Salad lies not only in its flavors but in its contrasting textures. There’s the chewy bite of the pasta, the savory, crumbled beef, the soft, melty cheddar, the crunchy chips, and the crisp, raw vegetables. Each bite feels like a layered experience.
It also feels familiar. You’re getting the same flavors you’d expect in a taco—seasoned meat, cheese, crunchy bits, creamy dressing, and fresh produce—but in a new, refreshing way. This fusion between salad and main course delivers comfort food vibes without feeling too heavy.
Kid-Friendly and Great for Leftovers
This is a rare recipe that kids and adults can agree on. The use of pasta and chips makes it more approachable for children, and they can even help assemble their own bowls. If you’re trying to sneak more veggies into your child’s diet, this dish makes it easy. Just dice the vegetables small and toss them with the cheese and chips.
As for leftovers, Taco Pasta Salad keeps well in the fridge for up to two days—just hold off on adding the Doritos until you’re ready to serve. If you have already mixed them in and have leftovers, the chips may lose their crunch, but the flavor remains delicious. A quick toss with fresh chips before serving brings it back to life.
Conclusion
Taco Pasta Salad is more than just a fun, flavorful dish—it’s a smart way to bring together two classics in one crowd-pleasing bowl. Whether you’re cooking for a group, packing lunch for work, or making a fun dinner for your family, this salad checks all the boxes: easy to make, deliciously bold, colorful, and customizable.
From its sweet and tangy dressing to its meaty base and festive crunch, it’s the kind of dish that never sticks around for long. So next time you’re wondering what to bring to a gathering or just want something exciting for dinner, give Taco Pasta Salad a try—you won’t regret it.