Cowboy Pasta Salad (Printer-friendly)
Beef, bacon, and cheddar pasta tossed in smoky BBQ ranch dressing for a hearty crowd-pleasing dish.
# What You'll Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 14 oz rotini or penne pasta
→ Meats
02 - 10 oz ground beef
03 - 6 slices bacon, chopped
→ Vegetables
04 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
05 - 1 cup canned corn, drained
06 - ½ medium red onion, finely chopped
07 - ½ cup pickled jalapeño slices (optional)
08 - 2 green onions, sliced
→ Cheese
09 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
→ Dressing
10 - 1 cup ranch dressing
11 - ¼ cup BBQ sauce
12 - 1 tablespoon hot sauce (optional)
13 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
# How to Prepare:
01 - Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini or penne and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and rinse under cold running water to halt cooking and cool the pasta completely.
02 - While the pasta cooks, place the chopped bacon in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the bacon is golden brown and crisp. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
03 - In the same skillet, add the ground beef and cook over medium heat, breaking it apart with a spoon, until fully browned and no pink remains. Drain off any excess fat, then season with salt and pepper. Set aside to cool slightly.
04 - In a large mixing bowl, toss together the cooled pasta, browned ground beef, crispy bacon, halved cherry tomatoes, drained corn, chopped red onion, pickled jalapeño slices, sliced green onions, and shredded cheddar cheese.
05 - In a separate small bowl, whisk together the ranch dressing, BBQ sauce, and hot sauce until smooth and well blended. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss thoroughly to coat every ingredient evenly.
06 - Taste the salad and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed. For the best flavor development, cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The BBQ ranch dressing clings to every spiral of pasta and makes each bite feel like a flavor bomb went off in your mouth.
- It travels beautifully, which means you will be the hero of every potluck, tailgate, and backyard gathering you bring it to.
02 -
- Do not skip rinsing the pasta under cold water or the residual heat will turn your cheddar into an unappetizing greasy coating.
- Letting the beef cool slightly before combining prevents the whole salad from warming up and becoming a food safety concern at outdoor events.
03 -
- Cook the bacon extra crispy because it will soften slightly when mixed with the dressing and you want it to still have some crunch after chilling.
- Make the dressing a day ahead and let it sit in the fridge so the BBQ and ranch flavors fully marry before you toss it with the salad.