Taco Pasta Salad Recipe

This Taco Pasta Salad Recipe is just in time for those summer barbecues. A cold pasta salad side dish with a fun taco twist will be a hit!

This post may contain affiliate links. See my Disclosure Policy for more info.

Southwest Taco Pasta Salad Without Lettuce

This cold pasta salad recipe has all the great taco flavors in a side dish. Bring this to any barbecue, picnic or party for a unique dish.

One taco ingredient I do leave off is the lettuce because honestly lettuce in pasta salad doesn’t appeal to me. Make this pasta salad your own. Add the lettuce if you prefer. Or even make this without the taco meat. It will still be super tasty!

How Long Will Pasta Salad Keep In The Refrigerator

Pasta salad will stay good in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. However, I always eat pasta salad within 3 days because the pasta tends to absorb moisture from the dressing and ingredients.

Be sure to store pasta salad in an airtight container while in the refrigerator.

Ingredients Needed For Taco Pasta Salad (screenshot for grocery list)

• Ground Beef
• Taco Seasoning
• Fire Roasted Diced Green Chiles
• Pasta (ziti or preferred style)
• Frozen Corn
• Canned Black Beans
• Black Olives
• Cherry or Grape Tomatoes
• Colby-Jack Cheese
• Cilantro
• Sour Cream
• Mayonnaise
• Lime
• Chili Powder
• Cumin
• Hot Sauce (optional)
• Optional Add-ins: Avocado, Celery, Peppers, Onion, Jalapeno.

How To Make Pasta Salad

1. In pan over medium/high heat, brown and crumble ground beef. Drain excess fat if needed. Stir in 1 Tablespoon taco seasoning and green chiles. Remove from heat, allow to cool.
2. Prepare pasta according to package instructions. Drain and cool.
3. In large bowl combine beef, pasta, corn, black beans, olives, tomatoes, cheese and cilantro. Stir together.
4. In separate bowl, combine sour cream, mayo, lime juice, 1 Tablespoon taco seasoning, chili powder, cumin and hot sauce. Pour mixture over pasta salad and stir to coat evenly.
5. Salt and pepper to taste.

What Goes Well With Pasta Salad

Pasta salad goes well alongside most any protein, especially barbecue.

Here are some meaty recipes that go well with pasta salad: Taco Cheese Stuffed Meatballs, Easy Shrimp Tacos, Cast Iron Flank Steak, Spicy Baked Shrimp, Southwest Chicken and Taco Tuna Stuffed Tomatoes.

For more unique pasta salad check out these 55 Cold Pasta Salad Recipes. Or, take a peek at all of my PASTA SALAD RECIPES. If you want a hot pasta dish, check out this Easy Lemon Garlic Pasta!

Continue to Content

Taco Pasta Salad Recipe

Yield: 8

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

This Taco Pasta Salad Recipe is just in time for those summer barbecues. A cold pasta salad side dish with a fun taco twist will be a hit!

Print

Ingredients

• 1/2 Lb. Ground Beef
• 2 Tablespoons Taco Seasoning (divided)
• 4 ounces Fire Roasted Diced Green Chiles
• 16 ounces Dry Pasta (ziti or preferred style)
• 1 Cup Frozen Corn - thawed
• 1 (15oz) Can Black Beans - drained, rinsed
• 6 ounces Black Olives - drained, halved
• 5 ounces Cherry or Grape Tomatoes - halved
• 6 ounces Colby-Jack Cheese - cubed (small)
• Handful Cilantro - chopped
• 1/2 Cup Sour Cream
• 1/2 Cup Mayonnaise
• Juice of 1 Small Lime
• 1 Tablespoon Taco Seasoning
• 1 teaspoon Chili Powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Cumin
• 1 teaspoon Hot Sauce (optional)

Instructions

1. In pan over medium/high heat, brown and crumble ground beef. Drain excess fat if needed. Stir in 1 Tablespoon taco seasoning and green chiles. Remove from heat, allow to cool.
2. Prepare pasta according to package instructions. Drain and cool.
3. In large bowl combine beef, pasta, corn, black beans, olives, tomatoes, cheese and cilantro. Stir together.
4. In separate bowl, combine sour cream, mayo, lime juice, 1 Tablespoon taco seasoning, chili powder, cumin and hot sauce. Pour mixture over pasta salad and stir to coat evenly.
5. Salt and pepper to taste.

Nutrition Information

Yield 8 Serving Size 1
Amount Per Serving Calories 631Total Fat 28gSaturated Fat 10gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 16gCholesterol 59mgSodium 889mgCarbohydrates 69gFiber 8gSugar 10gProtein 26g

Nutritional information on WonkyWonderful is provided as a courtesy and is approximate only. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site.