This Taco Pasta Salad is a family favorite! This pasta salad recipe is perfect for BBQs, potlucks and big family gatherings! It has a secret ingredient that stops everyone in their tracks!
Make a bunch of BLT Ranch Burgers, a big Zucchini Sheet Cake, a huge batch of my mom’s Bacon Spinach Salad and you have the perfect menu for a big family get together.
Growing up with two older brothers, I always wanted a sister. I remember one year for Christmas I actually asked my parents for a twin sister, because I was kind of a punk as a kid.
They gave me a mirror.
I wonder where I got my punkiness from.
And then after growing up with two brothers, I married a man with FIVE.
But the thing about all those brothers is that it has actually meant sisters! Seven sister in laws!
Don’t tell anyone, but one of my very favorite sister in laws is the wife of the brother who is just one older than Nathan (did you follow that?). Deanna has been part of my in law family the longest, so I have known longer than almost all of my other sister in laws. She is so many awesome things, but I enjoy her most as an aunt and as a friend. She seriously loves my kids so much, it is the greatest thing to watch. And even though right now she lives on the other side of the stupid planet (remember when I made this Pina Colada Sangria for her send off?) and when I text her I’m either interrupting her breakfast or keeping her awake too late, she is one of my favorite people text with . . . I always end up cry laughing ????
THE BEST TACO PASTA SALAD RECIPE
So this is her recipe. She has made it for tons of family functions, and I loooooove it. I snarf it down every time she makes it. The secret ingredient to this, if you can believe it, is French dressing. I know that sounds super totally weird, but it is all the exact right flavor combos.
This makes a HUGE batch, so it is perfect for BBQs and family functions. You can make it ahead of time, but just wait to add the dressing and chips until right before you serve it otherwise the chips and the lettuce will get all soggy and weird.
Enjoy!
OTHER RECIPES YOU WILL LOVE
If you like this Taco Pasta Salad, you will also love these other great family recipes:
Taco Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef cooked and drained
- 1 pound rotini cooked and drained and rinsed with cold water
- 1 oz or 3 TBSPs taco seasoning
- 1 green pepper diced small
- 1 small yellow onion diced small
- 1 pint grape tomatoes sliced in half
- 2 cups shredded cheddar jack cheese
- 3 cups shredded iceberg lettuce
- 1 1/2 cups French dressing
- 9 3/4 oz bag Nacho Doritos crushed
Instructions
- Stir together the beef and the taco seasoning.
- In a very large bowl, mix together the beef, noodles, green pepper, onion, tomatoes, lettuce, and cheese.
- Mix in the French dressing until everything is well coated. Then stir in the chips. Enjoy right away.
Sandra says
Love this recipe!! The pasta did not ruin this recipe!! I wish people would keep their negative comments to their self!! You created a wonderful recipe!! Everywhere I take this pasta salad everyone loves it!! Thanks for sharing!!
I’m so glad you like it!
Kari says
This recipe has been my go-to for Summer actives over the last few years. It keeps really well in the cooler and is always a huge hit, so just wanted to say thanks for sharing! :)
I’m so glad that it has become a go-to for you, Kari!
Terri says
Perfect for our taco Tuesday! We always try new meals and the family loved it!! Will make again!
Thanks 😋
I’m so glad you liked it, Terri!
Renee says
Oohhh this was better than I thought it would be. The pasta threw me off at first but I totally love it. It adds an extra texture that I’m not used to with my taco salad! I omitted the peppers because we don’t like them and served it in the bowl then topped it with a tiny bit of French and then ranch. Great recipe!
I’m so glad you liked it!
Neva Moss says
I do two things that improve the overall flavor… I mix the same amount of taco seasoning with my French dressing as I cook with the meat…
I am allergic to onions as of 8 years ago, so no longer use them and it’s just as good without them.
When I DID use onions, I would mix the onions taco seasoning and French dressing together the night before so they flavors could meld…
It makes it SO MUCH BETTER!
You can also cook ground turkey and the flavor is just as good!
tamela says
carbs for a diabetic
There is a small little arrow at the bottom of the post that you can click on for nutritional information.
Tanya Primeaux says
This recipe is delicious. If you put it all together you can only eat it once but if you leave the ingredients separated you can reheat the meat and put the other stuff as many times as you want. This is the best Taco salad I have ever tasted.
I’m so glad you enjoy it!
Tanis Shipman says
This was so delicious!! I added a can of corn, black beans and salsa!
I’m so glad you liked it!