Taco Pasta Salad {VIDEO}

If you like taco salad, you’re going to love this Easy Taco Pasta Salad. Full of Mexican inspired flavors this side dish is perfect for a summer potluck or BBQ.

Pasta salad is a go-to for me in the summer, so I always have my fridge stocked with some, whether it be Asparagus Pasta Salad With Creamy Lemon Dressing, Caprese Pasta Salad, or Creamy Italian Skroodle Pasta Salad.

Taco Pasta Salad

It’s about time we take two irresistible dishes and let them get to know each other!

Today we are doing what some might have thought was the impossible. We’re taking all your favorite flavors of delicious tacos, and combining it with the essential party dish, pasta salad.

That’s right dreams are coming true today as this amazing taco pasta salad enters your life, full of fresh bell peppers, Mexican cheese, green chilies, taco seasoning, and so much more! It’s truly a one of a kind pasta salad that’s quick to make and will feed a crowd!

How To Make A Taco Pasta Salad 

When you are making this recipe, you’ll want to use the full recipe at the bottom of the page.

We all know that simple recipes are essential when trying to make a lot of food at once. That’s why I love this pasta salad recipe so much. Whipping up a batch takes no time and it’s beyond easy.

Here’s how it’s done:

Cook the pasta and drain and rinse with cold water, then set aside. Add mayo, sour cream, taco seasoning and ranch mix to a very large bowl. Using a rubber spatula mix until well combined. Add pasta and toss until well coated.

Then add remaining ingredients and stir to combine. Be sure to taste to check for seasoning balance. Add more salt, pepper, lime juice, cilantro, etc. if desired. Cover and place in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving.

What Else Can I Put In A Taco Pasta Salad?

Don’t get me wrong, this recipe is perfect exactly how it is and I highly recommend you try it that way first, but you can never go wrong with more toppings.

You can really add anything you want into this dish to make it your own, but here are a few of my suggestions that I think would be so good!

• grilled chicken
• ground beef (if you do this, I would cook the meat with taco seasoning)
• black beans
• avocado (note – avocado will oxidize and turn brown, so it’s best to add right before serving)
• sliced cherry or grape tomatoes or RO*TEL
• jalapeño slices
• change up the pasta – you could use small shells, rotini, bowtie, macaroni, etc)

Tips For A Taco Pasta Salad You’ll Love

Use spiral noodles: When making pasta salad I love to use spiraled noodles because they are way better at holding all of the flavors in the mixture. Flat noodles just won’t give the same effect, so try to grab some kind of spiraled noodle for this one.

Let it sit: Make sure you let it sit in the refrigerator at least 2 hours or overnight to let the flavors mingle. It’s not going to kill anyone if you serve immediately, the flavors just won’t be as bold as they would be if everything sat for a while.

Serve room temperature: I prefer this salad room temp or slightly cold, so I take it out of the fridge 30 minutes to 1 hour before serving. As weird as it sounds I feel like you almost taste everything more when it’s not right of the refrigerator cold.

When In Doubt, Serve Taco Pasta Salad!

Turning tacos into a cold pasta salad means you have an excuse to eat tacos even more than you used to! With taco pasta salad, your tacos become the perfect side dish to serve at your next party.

No need to save something this good for just special occasions though, it also makes a great addition to your family dinners any time of the week.

With simple easy to find ingredients that deliver big-time results and flavor, you’d be a fool not to make a batch.

How Long Does Pasta Salad Keep? 

If you somehow end up with leftovers (unlikely because it’s just that good) don’t just throw it out. It makes a great snack the next day, or you can use what’s left to serve as a premade side for weeknight dinner.

You can keep any leftovers stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to about 4 days. You can also feel free to keep some in the freezer stored in an airtight container for up to 4 months.

More Party Ready Side Dishes

Easy Classic Bean Salad Quick, flavorful, and perfect for potlucks—this bean salad works year-round!

Spinach Artichoke Mac and Cheese Cheesy mac meets creamy spinach-artichoke dip in this comfort food mash-up.

Light and Crunchy Chinese Slaw A crisp, make-ahead slaw with light dressing—great for summer and easy to toss together.

Roasted Cauliflower With Feta and Garlic Crumbs Oven-roasted cauliflower topped with feta and make-ahead garlic crumbs—great for any occasion.

Peach Caprese Salad Fresh peaches, basil, greens, mozzarella, and prosciutto drizzled with balsamic—summer in a bowl.

You HAVE To Try This Now!

I promise you’ve never had a pasta salad quite like this before. This unique twist on the traditional pasta salad will be a dish no one will be able to forget or resist. So add this recipe to your list now and watch it disappear in no time at your next party, or event.

Taco Pasta Salad

Yield: 12 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Chill Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes

If you like taco salad, you're going to love this Easy Taco Pasta Salad. Full of Mexican inspired flavors this side dish is perfect for a summer potluck or BBQ. 

Ingredients

• 12 ounces Rotini (I like to use the multi-color pasta)
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
• 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning mix
• 1 cup baby bell peppers, diced
• 1 (15 ounce) can Southwest corn, drained
• 1 1/2 cups Mexican blend shredded cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• 1/4 cup green onion, diced
• 2 tablespoons green chilies
• 1-2 tablespoons lime juice
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper, or to taste

Instructions

1. Cook pasta in salted water for 1 minute past al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water. Set aside to cool.
2. Add mayo, sour cream, taco seasoning and ranch mix to a very large bowl. Using a rubber spatula mix until well combined. Add pasta and toss until well coated.
3. Add remaining ingredients and stir to combine. Taste to check for seasoning balance. Add more salt, pepper, lime juice, cilantro, etc. if desired. Cover and place in refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving.
4. Pasta salad will keep airtight in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 12
Serving Size: 1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 264
Total Fat: 21g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Trans Fat: 0g
Unsaturated Fat: 14g
Cholesterol: 27mg
Sodium: 510mg
Carbohydrates: 14g
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 2g
Protein: 6g

Nutrition information is estimated based on the ingredients and cooking instructions as described in each recipe and is intended to be used for informational purposes only. Please note that nutrition details may vary based on methods of preparation, origin, and freshness of ingredients used.