How to make taco pasta salad

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: canned lentils

Ground turkey reduces fat while lentils are budget-friendly.

cheddar cheese

🥗Healthier: reduced-fat cheese

💰Cheaper: processed cheese

Reduced-fat cheese lowers calories, while processed options are often cheaper.

sour cream

🥗Healthier: Greek yogurt

💰Cheaper: plain yogurt

Greek yogurt adds protein and creaminess, while plain yogurt is budget-friendly.

tortilla chips

🥗Healthier: baked tortilla chips

💰Cheaper: crackers

Baked chips reduce fat, while crackers are often less expensive.

Boil 1 pound of your favorite pasta (penne, corkscrew, or bow tie) until cooked but not overcooked, then let it cool.

Add cooked and cooled ground beef with taco seasoning to the pasta.

Add sliced grape tomatoes or seeded diced tomatoes to the mixture.

Pour in a 12-ounce bottle of your favorite dressing (French, Russian, or Western) and some black olives.

Toss everything together to coat and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Chop up romaine lettuce and add it to the salad along with shredded cheddar cheese and crushed flavored taco chips.

Mix well and decorate the top with more shredded cheese, crushed chips, and black olives before serving.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens