Cheesy Taco Pasta Salad with Catalina Dressing
This Taco Pasta Salad is hearty, cheesy, tangy, and crunchy—ready in just 20 minutes! It’s an easy cold pasta salad recipe that works perfectly as a side dish to your meal. It’s got all the flavors of a classic taco—seasoned beef, cheese, fresh veggies, and a little crunch—mixed with pasta and a tangy Catalina dressing that pulls it all together.
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No matter if you’re headed to a potluck or planning a casual dinner, this salad is easy to make ahead. My family loves it, and honestly, it’s one of those dishes people always ask for the recipe after trying!
Try serving this recipe with my Juicy BBQ Bacon-Wrapped Meatballs and a fresh, vibrant Pomegranate Salsa.
How to Make Taco Pasta Salad
Ingredients you’ll need for this recipe
Step by Step Guide
1. In a large bowl, toss together the cooked pasta, taco-seasoned ground beef, cherry tomatoes, green onions, and cheese.
2. Pour in the Catalina dressing and give it all a good mix until everything’s coated.
3. You can pop it in the fridge to chill or serve it right away.
Serve and Enjoy!
Fold in the crushed Doritos right before serving so they stay nice and crunchy.
Important Recipe Notes
- Cook pasta al dente. You want it firm enough to hold up to the dressing and mix-ins without getting mushy.
- Use lean ground beef. It keeps the salad from getting greasy—drain any excess fat before mixing.
- This salad tastes even better after it sits in the fridge for a bit, giving all the flavors time to come together.
- Add the Doritos last! Fold them in right before serving so they stay crunchy and don’t get soggy.
- Use cheddar or Monterey Jack—whatever you have on hand.
- Toss in extras like black beans, corn, chopped bell peppers, or avocado for even more flavor and texture.
Cheesy Taco Pasta Salad with Catalina Dressing
Ingredients
- 3 cups rotini pasta cooked al dente
- 1 lb. ground beef browned
- 1 oz. taco seasoning
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes halved
- 4 green onions sliced
- 2 cups shredded cheese cheddar + Monterey Jack blend
- 1 cup Catalina dressing
- 1½ cups Doritos crushed
Instructions
- In a large bowl, toss together the cooked pasta, taco-seasoned ground beef, cherry tomatoes, green onions, and cheese.
- Pour in the Catalina dressing and give it all a good mix until everything’s coated.
- You can pop it in the fridge to chill or serve it right away.
- Fold in the crushed Doritos right before serving so they stay nice and crunchy.
