Description
Mexican-inspired taco fusion pasta salad blends zesty southwestern flavors with classic Italian pasta. Creamy dressing and crisp vegetables create a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (0.45 kg) ground beef, cooked with taco seasonings
- 1 lb (0.45 kg) fusilli pasta, cooked and cooled
- ½ green bell pepper, finely chopped
- ½ orange bell pepper, finely chopped
- 1 tomato, de-seeded and finely chopped
- 1 cup chopped romaine lettuce
- 2 stalks scallions, finely chopped
- ¼ cup minced cilantro
- 1 lime, juiced
- ½ cup shredded mild cheddar cheese
- ½ cup chunky salsa
- ¼ cup sour cream
Instructions
- Meat Preparation: Brown ground beef, drain excess oil, and thoroughly coat with taco seasoning, allowing the meat to cool completely.
- Vegetable Preparation: Uniformly dice bell peppers, chop romaine lettuce into delicate ribbons, slice tomatoes, and finely mince scallions and cilantro for a vibrant texture and flavor profile.
- Pasta Cooking: Boil fusilli in salted water until perfectly al dente, then immediately shock in cold water to prevent further cooking and maintain ideal pasta consistency.
- Cheese Integration: Finely grate cheddar cheese to ensure smooth distribution throughout the salad.
- Salad Assembly: In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled pasta with seasoned taco meat, creating a robust base for the dish.
- Ingredient Fusion: Gently fold in diced vegetables, shredded cheese, and herbs, ensuring even incorporation of all components.
- Creamy Binding: Delicately mix sour cream through the salad, creating a luscious coating that melds all ingredients together.
- Final Touch: Drizzle fresh lime juice over the entire salad, brightening the flavor profile and adding a zesty dimension to the dish.
- Finishing Step: Thoroughly toss the salad, allowing flavors to meld and create a harmonious, complex taste experience perfect for serving.
Notes
- Drain Meat Thoroughly: Remove excess oil completely to prevent a greasy texture and ensure the taco meat remains flavorful and distinct.
- Chop Consistently: Uniform vegetable cuts guarantee even cooking and a professional-looking presentation that enhances the eating experience.
- Cool Pasta Quickly: Rapid cooling prevents overcooking and stops the pasta from becoming mushy, maintaining the ideal al dente texture.
- Bind with Sour Cream: Gentle folding creates a creamy, cohesive dressing that helps ingredients cling together and distributes flavors evenly.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg