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Cowboy Pasta Salad: Best 7 Easy & Flavorful Secrets

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Cowboy Pasta Salad is a hearty and flavorful dish made with pasta, seasoned ground beef, crispy bacon, fresh vegetables, beans, cheese, and a creamy tangy dressing. Perfect for BBQs, picnics, and family meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz rotini pasta
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup corn kernels (fresh or canned)
  • 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup barbecue sauce
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp chili powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, then drain and rinse with cold water.
  2. In a skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned. Drain excess fat and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and chili powder.
  3. Cook the bacon until crispy, then crumble into small pieces.
  4. Chop the vegetables including tomatoes, onion, and prepare the corn and beans.
  5. In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, barbecue sauce, and additional seasoning.
  6. In a large mixing bowl, combine pasta, ground beef, bacon, vegetables, beans, and cheese.
  7. Pour the dressing over the mixture and toss until everything is well coated.
  8. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving for best flavor.

Notes

  • Do not overcook the pasta to avoid a mushy texture.
  • Chill the salad before serving to enhance the flavors.
  • Add extra dressing before serving if the salad seems dry.
  • You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey for a lighter version.
  • Adjust spice level by adding jalapenos or hot sauce.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://recipeeasily.com/cowboy-pasta-salad/