Description
Cowboy Pasta Salad is a zesty, creamy mix of tender pasta, ground beef, crispy bacon, sweet corn, tomatoes, cheese, and a tangy BBQ-ranch style dressing. It’s like a burger and a salad all in one – bold, filling, and totally crowd-pleasing.
Ingredients
For the Salad:
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12 oz pasta (rotini or penne), cooked and cooled
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1/2 lb ground beef
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6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
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1 cup corn kernels (fresh, canned, or thawed from frozen)
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1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
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1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
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1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
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1/4 cup chopped green onions
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1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (optional)
For the Dressing:
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1/2 cup mayonnaise
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1/4 cup sour cream
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2 tablespoons BBQ sauce
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2 tablespoons ranch dressing
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1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
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1 teaspoon chili powder
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Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
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Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain, rinse with cold water, and set aside.
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In a skillet, cook ground beef over medium heat until fully browned. Drain any excess fat and let it cool.
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In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, cooked beef, bacon, corn, tomatoes, cheese, red onion, and green onions.
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In a small bowl, whisk together all the dressing ingredients until smooth.
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Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until everything is evenly coated.
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Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld.
Notes
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Add black beans or diced avocado for a Tex-Mex twist.
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Make it spicy by adding chopped jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the dressing.
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Can be made a day ahead—just give it a quick stir before serving.