Name: Cowboy Pasta Salad with the BEST Dressing!
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Southwestern
Ingredients: 1 pound mini farfalle pasta (or small pasta like rigatoni); 1 pound lean ground beef or turkey; 1 4 oz. can mild diced green chiles; 1 tsp chili powder; 1 tsp ground cumin; 3/4 tsp garlic powder; 3/4 tsp onion powder; 3/4 tsp salt (omit if using ground turkey and bouillon); 4–6 tablespoons diced canned/pickled jalapeno peppers; 1 green bell pepper (chopped); 1 15 oz. can black beans (rinsed and drained); Corn from 1 ear sweet corn; 1 pint cherry tomatoes (halved); 1 cup cubed sharp cheddar cheese; 1/4 small red onion (chopped); 1/4 cup chopped cilantro; 1/3 cup ketchup; 1/3 cup mayonnaise; 1/3 cup sour cream (may substitute plain Greek yogurt); 1/4 cup salsa (medium if you like a kick); 1 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar; 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, plus more to taste; 1 tablespoon yellow mustard; 1/4 tsp smoked paprika; 1/4 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp pepper; Hot sauce to taste

Description

Cowboy Pasta Salad with the BEST Dressing is a colorful and hearty dish that brings together a delicious combination of textures and flavors. Featuring tender ground beef or turkey, sweet corn, black beans, and an array of fresh vegetables, this salad is coated in a creamy southwest dressing that adds a zesty kick. Perfect for potlucks, barbecues, or family dinners, it’s a crowd-pleaser whether served cold or at room temperature. This quick recipe comes together in just 25 minutes, making it an ideal choice for any occasion where you want to impress without the stress.

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound mini farfalle pasta (or small pasta like rigatoni)
1 pound lean ground beef or turkey
1 4 oz. can mild diced green chiles
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp ground cumin
3/4 tsp garlic powder
3/4 tsp onion powder
3/4 tsp salt (omit if using ground turkey and bouillon)
4–6 tablespoons diced canned/pickled jalapeno peppers
1 green bell pepper (chopped)
1 15 oz. can black beans (rinsed and drained)
Corn from 1 ear sweet corn
1 pint cherry tomatoes (halved)
1 cup cubed sharp cheddar cheese
1/4 small red onion (chopped)
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1/3 cup ketchup
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup sour cream (may substitute plain Greek yogurt)
1/4 cup salsa (medium if you like a kick)
1 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, plus more to taste
1 tablespoon yellow mustard
1/4 tsp smoked paprika
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
Hot sauce to taste

Instructions

Prepare the dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together ketchup, mayonnaise, sour cream, salsa, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, mustard, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and hot sauce to taste.
Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Rinse under cold water and drain well.
In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef or turkey. Drain excess grease and mix in green chiles and spices. Let cool.
Combine cooked pasta with half of the dressing in a large serving bowl.
Add the browned meat and all remaining ingredients to the pasta. Mix thoroughly.
If serving immediately, add bacon (if using) and stir in more dressing as desired; otherwise, keep ingredients separate until serving.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup (approximately 250g)
Calories: 350
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 800mg
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 36g
Fiber: 8g
Protein: 20g
Cholesterol: 70mg

Keywords: For added flavor variety, consider using different cheeses like pepper jack or feta. Feel free to include extra veggies such as cucumbers or avocados for added freshness. Adjust spice levels by adding more jalapeños or hot sauce based on your preference.