Cowboy Pasta Salad
A vibrant and hearty Cowboy Pasta Salad filled with colorful vegetables, ground beef, and a creamy dressing, perfect for gatherings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 90 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No Cooking Required (for final dish, excluding cooking pasta and beef)
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Omnivore
Ingredients
- Pasta
- Ground beef
- Beans (e.g., black beans or kidney beans)
- Cheese (e.g., cheddar)
- Fresh vegetables (e.g., bell peppers, tomatoes, corn)
- Creamy dressing (e.g., ranch or a blend of mayo and sour cream)
- Spices (e.g., BBQ seasoning, salt, pepper)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente, then drain and set aside to cool.
- Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until fully cooked, draining any excess fat.
- Combine the cooled pasta, ground beef, beans, cheese, and fresh vegetables in a large bowl.
- Prepare the creamy dressing in a separate bowl by mixing it with your choice of spices.
- Toss the dressing over the pasta salad until everything is well combined.
- Chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least an hour.
- Serve the salad chilled as a delightful side dish.
Notes
Feel free to substitute ground beef with turkey or a plant-based alternative. Customize the beans and cheese to your liking for different flavors.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Find it online: https://ameliasweets.com/2026/03/26/cowboy-pasta-salad/