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Cowboy Pasta Salad

Cowboy Pasta Salad is packed with beef, bacon, cheese, and veggies, all tossed in a quick homemade creamy smoky salsa verde dressing.

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
40 mins
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 756 kcal
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 1 pound rotini pasta
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 4 slices Bacon cooked and crumbled
  • 8 ounces Cherry or grape tomatoes halved
  • 8 ounces cheddar cheese cubed
  • 1/2 medium red onion diced
  • 1 medium Jalapeño thinly sliced (optional)
  • 1 (14.5 ounce can) black beans rinsed and drained
  • 1 (14.5 ounce can) corn kernels drained
Cowboy Dressing
  • 16 ounces salsa verde
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon granulated garlic
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Cook 1 pound rotini pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water until pasta is cooled. Once cooled transfer to a large mixing bowl.
  2. Cook 1 pound ground beef in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin. Use a spatula to break up the meat and continue to cook until meat is thoroughly brown and no longer pink, about 7 to 10 minutes. Drain any excess grease. Transfer to a bowl and chill.
  3. Add 4 slices bacon to the 12-inch skillet. Cook over medium heat until crispy, about 8 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway through. Once crispy, transfer to a paper towel lined plate to drain.
  4. Halve 8 ounces cherry or grape tomatoes, cube 8 ounces cheddar cheese, dice 1/2 medium red onion, slice 1 medium jalapeno, and crumble the bacon. Open 1 (14.5 ounce can) black beans, drain and rinse, and open 1 (14.5 ounce can) corn kernels and drain. Add everything to the mixing bowl with the pasta.
Dressing
    Cup of Yum
  1. In a blender add 16 ounces salsa verde, 1 cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon lime juice, 1 tablespoon smoked paprika, 1 tablespoon granulated garlic, 1 tablespoon ground cumin, 1 tablespoon onion powder, 2 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon chili powder, and 1 teaspoon black pepper. Blend until smooth.
  2. Pour dressing over pasta salad and stir until everything is well coated. Serve right away or cover and keep refrigerated until ready to serve.

Notes

  • This pasta salad is enough to serve 8 people as a main dish, or 12 to 16 people as a side dish.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1serving Calories 756kcal (38%) Carbohydrates 52g (17%) Protein 26g (52%) Fat 48g (74%) Saturated Fat 15g (75%) Polyunsaturated Fat 14g Monounsaturated Fat 14g Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 88mg (29%) Sodium 1623mg (68%) Potassium 589mg (17%) Fiber 3g (12%) Sugar 7g (14%) Vitamin A 1338IU (27%) Vitamin C 12mg (13%) Calcium 248mg (25%) Iron 3mg (17%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 756

% Daily Value*

Serving 1serving
Calories 756kcal 38%
Carbohydrates 52g 17%
Protein 26g 52%
Fat 48g 74%
Saturated Fat 15g 75%
Polyunsaturated Fat 14g 82%
Monounsaturated Fat 14g 70%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 88mg 29%
Sodium 1623mg 68%
Potassium 589mg 13%
Fiber 3g 12%
Sugar 7g 14%
Vitamin A 1338IU 27%
Vitamin C 12mg 13%
Calcium 248mg 25%
Iron 3mg 17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.