Description
Cowboy Pasta Salad is a bold and hearty dish loaded with ground beef, bacon, corn, cherry tomatoes, cheese, and a tangy barbecue-ranch dressing—perfect for potlucks, picnics, or a filling family meal.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 8 ounces pasta (rotini or shells)
- 1/2 pound ground beef
- 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup canned corn, drained
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup diced red onion
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing
- 2 tablespoons barbecue sauce
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Chopped parsley or green onions for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain, rinse under cold water, and set aside.
- In a skillet, cook ground beef over medium heat until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat and season with salt and pepper. Let cool slightly.
- In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, ground beef, bacon, tomatoes, corn, red onion, and cheddar cheese.
- In a small bowl, whisk together ranch dressing and barbecue sauce.
- Pour dressing over the salad and toss to combine.
- Garnish with chopped parsley or green onions if desired and serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
- Use ground turkey or black beans instead of beef for a lighter version.
- Great made ahead—just store the dressing separately and mix before serving.
- Spice it up with a dash of hot sauce or jalapeños.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 55mg