Cowboy Pasta Salad Southwest (Printable Version)

Satisfying pasta salad loaded with beef, beans, corn and vegetables, all tossed in a zesty lime and taco dressing.

# Everything You’ll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 350 g rotini pasta

→ Beef Mixture

02 - 450 g ground beef
03 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Dressing

06 - 60 ml extra virgin olive oil
07 - 30 ml freshly squeezed lime juice
08 - 1 packet (28 g) taco seasoning

→ Vegetables and Mix-ins

09 - 200 g canned sweet corn, drained
10 - 200 g canned black beans, rinsed and drained
11 - 150 g cherry tomatoes, halved
12 - 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
13 - 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
14 - 1-2 medium jalapeños, seeded and diced
15 - 4 green onions, thinly sliced
16 - 120 g sharp cheddar cheese, cubed

# Steps to Cook:

01 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef and diced onion until the beef is thoroughly browned and onions are soft, about 7-8 minutes. Drain excess fat and season with salt and pepper. Allow to cool completely.
02 - Cook rotini pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water according to package directions until al dente, approximately 8-10 minutes. Drain and toss with a drizzle of olive oil to prevent sticking. Set aside to cool completely.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together extra virgin olive oil, freshly squeezed lime juice, and taco seasoning until fully combined.
04 - In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled pasta, ground beef mixture, sweet corn, black beans, cherry tomatoes, red and green bell peppers, jalapeños, green onions, and cubed cheddar cheese.
05 - Pour the taco-lime dressing over the salad and toss thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly coated and distributed.
06 - Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Toss again before serving. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or lime juice as desired.

# Extra Suggestions:

01 - For best texture and flavors, ensure both the cooked pasta and beef mixture are fully cooled before incorporating the fresh vegetables and cheese.
02 - Chilling the salad for at least 30 minutes allows the ingredients to absorb the dressing and enhances the overall flavor profile.
03 - For extra heat, include additional jalapeño or a splash of your favorite hot sauce.

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