Description
Cowboy pasta salad brings rustic ranch-style flavors to your summer gathering with hearty beef, zesty corn, and tangy dressing. Crisp vegetables and bold seasonings create a crowd-pleasing dish you’ll crave at every picnic and potluck.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef, browned and drained
- 8 ounces (226 grams) pasta (such as rotini or penne), cooked and drained
- 1 can (15 ounces or 425 grams) black beans, rinsed and drained
Vegetables and Herbs:
- 1 cup corn (fresh, canned, or thawed from frozen)
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 red onion, finely chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Cheese and Dressing:
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
- 1/4 cup ranch dressing
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce (adjust to taste)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare a spacious mixing vessel to assemble the vibrant cowboy-inspired pasta medley.
- Layer the cooled pasta with richly seasoned ground beef, creating a robust foundation for the salad.
- Incorporate black beans and sweet corn kernels to enhance texture and provide complementary flavors.
- Add crisp red bell pepper and sharp red onion for a zesty crunch that elevates the dish’s complexity.
- Scatter halved cherry tomatoes and generously sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese throughout the mixture.
- Craft a dynamic dressing by whisking together tangy barbecue sauce, creamy ranch, and a dash of fiery hot sauce.
- Season the dressing with precise salt and pepper to balance the bold flavor profile.
- Drizzle the vibrant sauce over the pasta mixture, gently folding to ensure every ingredient is evenly coated.
- Delicately garnish with freshly chopped cilantro, adding a bright, herbaceous note to the hearty salad.
- Allow the salad to rest briefly, enabling the flavors to meld and intensify before serving.
- Present chilled or at ambient temperature, ideal for outdoor gatherings or as a satisfying accompaniment to any meal.
Notes
- Customize heat levels by adjusting hot sauce quantity for spice-sensitive guests or kids who prefer milder flavors.
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for lighter protein options and dietary flexibility.
- Enhance freshness by adding crisp chopped green onions or diced cucumber for extra crunch and vibrant texture.
- Make ahead and refrigerate for deeper flavor melding, allowing dressing to fully infuse ingredients overnight before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: None
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 49 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg