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Dorito Taco Pasta Salad Recipe

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3.9 from 3 reviews

Dorito Taco Pasta Salad is a vibrant and flavorful cold pasta salad featuring seasoned ground beef, crisp cherry tomatoes, sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, all tossed in tangy Catalina dressing with a crunchy topping of crushed nacho cheese Doritos. Perfectly chilled and packed with taco-inspired flavors, this dish is ideal for potlucks, BBQs, or easy weeknight meals.

Ingredients

Pasta

  • 16 ounces rotini pasta

Beef Mixture

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 ounce taco seasoning packet

Vegetables & Herbs

  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
  • ¼ cup thinly sliced green onions
  • ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Cheeses

  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Dressing & Toppings

  • 1 cup Catalina dressing
  • 2 cups crushed nacho cheese Doritos

Instructions

  1. Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain in a colander and immediately rinse under cold running water to stop cooking and cool the noodles completely.
  2. Brown the Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until fully browned, about 6 to 8 minutes. Drain excess grease from the skillet.
  3. Season the Beef: Return skillet to medium-low heat. Sprinkle taco seasoning over the beef and add water as directed on the seasoning packet. Simmer for 3 to 5 minutes until the liquid reduces. Remove from heat and let the beef cool completely.
  4. Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled rotini pasta, cooled taco beef, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced green onions, shredded sharp cheddar, and Monterey Jack cheeses.
  5. Toss with Dressing: Pour Catalina dressing over the pasta mixture. Toss with a large spoon until all ingredients are evenly coated.
  6. Chill: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 4 hours. This allows the flavors to meld and develop fully.
  7. Add Doritos and Cilantro: Just before serving, gently fold in the crushed nacho cheese Doritos. Sprinkle chopped fresh cilantro on top. Serve chilled and enjoy.

Notes

  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. This salad is best served cold and should not be frozen, as the pasta, tomatoes, and dressing will break down.
  • If possible, store the salad without the Doritos and add fresh crushed Doritos each time you serve to maintain crunch.
  • Both pasta and beef must be completely cooled before mixing to prevent cheese from melting and dressing from separating.
  • Allow the salad to chill for the full 4 hours; this is essential for the dressing and seasonings to fully blend.
  • Add the Doritos at the last moment before serving to keep their crunch. If added too early, they become soggy quickly.
  • Rinse cooked pasta under cold water to stop cooking, remove excess starch, and prevent it from absorbing too much dressing prematurely.

Find it online: https://flavorspath.com/dorito-taco-pasta-salad-recipe/