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Cowboy Pasta Salad Recipe

Cowboy Pasta Salad Recipe
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4.7 from 17 reviews

This Cowboy Pasta Salad is a hearty and flavorful dish that’s perfect for potlucks and cookouts. With a delicious combination of pasta, bacon, ground beef, and veggies tossed in a tangy barbecue ranch dressing, it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Pasta Salad:

  • 12 ounces rotini or penne pasta
  • 1/2 pound cooked bacon, chopped
  • 1/2 pound ground beef, browned and drained
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)
  • 1/2 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
  • 1/4 cup sliced green onions

Dressing:

  • 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
  • 1/2 cup ranch dressing
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta: Boil pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, rinse under cold water, and transfer to a large bowl.
  2. Combine ingredients: Add bacon, ground beef, cherry tomatoes, corn, black beans, cheddar cheese, red onion, and green onions to the bowl.
  3. Make the dressing: Whisk together barbecue sauce and ranch dressing in a small bowl until smooth.
  4. Toss everything together: Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and mix until well coated.
  5. Season and chill: Season with salt and pepper, cover, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • Great for potlucks and cookouts.
  • Can use ground turkey or omit meat for a vegetarian version.
  • Add diced avocado for extra creaminess.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://easy-tapas-recipes.com/cowboy-pasta-salad-recipe/