Description
This Taco Pasta Salad with Doritos Crunch is a bold and flavorful dish loaded with seasoned beef, fresh veggies, creamy Catalina dressing, and irresistibly crunchy Nacho Doritos for the ultimate crowd-pleasing meal.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 8 ounces rotini pasta, cooked al dente
- 1 medium jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely diced
- 1 medium Roma tomato, finely diced
- 1 can (15.25 ounces) corn kernels, drained
- ½ cup red bell pepper, finely diced
- ½ cup yellow onion, diced
- 2 cups mild cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Catalina dressing
- 1 bag (9.25 ounces) Nacho Doritos, slightly crushed (reserve some for topping)
- Diced iceberg lettuce, optional for garnish
Instructions
1. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until no longer pink, about 8–10 minutes.
2. Drain excess grease if needed, then add taco seasoning to the cooked beef and stir to combine. Set aside to cool slightly.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked rotini pasta, jalapeño, Roma tomato, corn, red bell pepper, yellow onion, and shredded cheddar cheese.
4. Add the taco-seasoned beef to the bowl and pour in the Catalina dressing. Toss everything together until evenly coated.
5. Just before serving, gently fold in the crushed Nacho Doritos to maintain their crunch.
6. Garnish with extra crushed Doritos and diced iceberg lettuce if desired. Serve warm, at room temperature, or chilled.
Notes
For best texture, add the Doritos right before serving to keep them crunchy.
You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
If preparing ahead, store the salad and Doritos separately and mix together just before serving.