5.0 from 27 votes
Get the Recipe: Gluten Free Taco Pasta Salad (Paleo)
This easy Gluten Free Taco Pasta Salad is the ultimate healthy side dish or appetizer! It is creamy, hearty, a little spicy, and so delicious. This pasta salad has Mexican flavors and is unique! Great for entertaining and hosting.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 299 kcal
Course:
Side Dish
Cuisine:
Mexican
Ingredients
Pasta Salad
- 8 ounces gluten free elbow macaroni see note
- ½ pound ground beef
- ½ tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp cumin
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp ground pepper
- ¼ tsp paprika
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ onion diced
- 1 red pepper chopped
- 1 green pepper chopped
- ½ cup Baby tomatoes sliced in half
Dressing
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup salsa
Instructions
- First, cook pasta to al dente. Add a drop of olive oil to the pot of water to keep pasta from getting too firm. Drain pasta and rinse under cold water. Set aside.
- While pasta is cooking, in a skillet over medium heat, add ground beef, all of the spices, olive oil and onion.
- Break up beef with a spatula. Cook until beef is browned and onion is soft. Remove from heat.
- In a large bowl, add cooked pasta, ground beef mixture, chopped peppers and tomatoes.
- Then, make sauce. Blend together mayonnaise and salsa. Add a little water if needed to make sauce thinner.
- Pour sauce over pasta in mixing bowl. Toss to combine.
- Serve immediately for a warm pasta salad or place in fridge to cool for an hour before serving.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- For a Paleo option, I recommend Jovial grain free pasta.
- I recommend adding a drop of olive oil to the boiling water to keep gluten free pasta from hardening.
- I used Primal Kitchen Foods Dairy Free Mayonnaise for this recipe.
- The mixture of spices can be replaced with about 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning. Check label to make sure it's gluten free.
- Ground turkey, ground pork or ground chicken can be used in place of ground beef.
- Cook pasta to al dente. Do not overcook pasta!
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- This serves about 8 as a side dish. For a meal, it makes about 4 to 6 servings.
Nutrition Information
Calories
299kcal
(15%)
Carbohydrates
25g
(8%)
Protein
8g
(16%)
Fat
19g
(29%)
Saturated Fat
4g
(20%)
Trans Fat
1g
Cholesterol
26mg
(9%)
Sodium
242mg
(10%)
Potassium
224mg
(6%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
2g
(4%)
Vitamin A
730IU
(15%)
Vitamin C
33mg
(37%)
Calcium
19mg
(2%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 299
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 299kcal | 15% |
| Carbohydrates | 25g | 8% |
| Protein | 8g | 16% |
| Fat | 19g | 29% |
| Saturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 26mg | 9% |
| Sodium | 242mg | 10% |
| Potassium | 224mg | 5% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 730IU | 15% |
| Vitamin C | 33mg | 37% |
| Calcium | 19mg | 2% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.