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.
Teri says
I found this recipe on face book and made it for dinner one night. I wasn’t sure if this recipe was a meal or a salad but it was a meal and then some being it makes a lot. This was a big hit the first time I made it and very simple. I wasn’t sure about the french dressing but was brought up to never stick your nose up until you try it. This is one of the best and have made it many times since. The only thing I do different is add the Doritos as you eat the salad because they do get soggy, but a great recipe.
Joyce Oliver says
I made this tonight for my grandkids and husband for Taco Tuesday. I used ground turkey instead of beef. I added the onions in as i Cooked the meat too. I have never had French dressing before as i am not a fan of salad. Everyone loved it including me. I will definitely make this for my next party gathering. Very good recipe. Thanks for sharing.
Alyssa Toney says
I adapted this to be Gluten Free (GF noodles, taco seasoning, dressing) and made it for a work carry-in yesterday. It was a HUGE hit! So delicious :)
I’m so glad you guys liked it!
Millie Maneely says
Had this about 30 years ago for the first time. FF to 2017 , know ones believed me about the pasta in a taco salad!!! It was so yummy. They used thousand island dressing.. going to make this soon for my family????
Martha says
Could I substitute green chilies for the green peppers? Thanks!
I think that would be a delicious twist!
Gary Beardsley says
Lisa, I Love the recipe… I have always made something similar but without the pasta. I do like your recipe for a good change. Just to add some different flavor I do like to mix Catalina Dressing and some mild salsa together (mix evenly together) for the dressing. This is NOT trying to say anything negative about yours, I DO think yours is just Fine as you had wrote.
Chuck says
I find it kind of funny that a taco salad uses French dressing. I’m not making a comment on the quality or taste of the salad, just the irony of the ingredients.
Helen Taylor says
Very good , can you freeze this?
I wouldn’t recommend it :/
Chrystal Miller says
Making this for fourth of july celebration, I am mixing french and catalina dressing and adding olives to recipe. Leaving lettace and dorito chips for the moment before we start serving food. My mouth has been watering since seeing this I cannot wait.
Rebecca says
Made this for a bbq and everyone loved it! It was very yummy! Thank you!