Savory Taco Pasta Salad: A French Twist

Ingredients

• 1 lb of ground beef, lean
• 1 packet of taco seasoning mix (1 oz)
• 1 pack of uncooked tri-color rotini pasta (16 oz)
• 1 bottle of French salad dressing (16 oz)
• 1 can of black beans, drained and rinsed (14 oz)
• 1 package of shredded sharp Cheddar cheese (8 oz)
• 6 cups of shredded lettuce
• 1 cup of chopped tomato
• 1 cup of sliced green onions
• 1 package of nacho cheese-flavored corn chips, crushed (8 oz, such as Doritos®)

Step 1

Begin by warming up a large skillet on medium-high heat. Add in the beef along with a generous amount of taco seasoning. Cook and stir until the beef turns beautifully brown and crumbly, typically taking around 5 to 7 minutes. Allow it to cool down for a bit.

Step 2

In the meantime, get a large pot filled with lightly salted water to the point of boiling. Cook the rotini pasta until it reaches that perfect al dente texture, usually around 8 minutes. Drain the pasta and let it cool off for about 10 minutes.

Step 3

Next, mix the cooled beef and rotini with a flavorful French dressing, some hearty black beans, and a generous amount of Cheddar cheese. Stir everything together thoroughly and let it chill until you're ready to dig in.

Step 4

Just before serving, gently fold in some fresh lettuce, juicy tomatoes, and vibrant green onions. Top it off with some crushed chips for an extra crunch or serve them on the side for added texture and flavor. Enjoy your delicious and colorful creation!