Description
Cowboy Caviar Meets Pasta Salad is a flavorful fusion dish that combines the vibrant notes of Cowboy Caviar with hearty pasta, featuring fresh vegetables and a tangy dressing.
Ingredients
- 1 lb (16 oz) lean ground beef (90/10 preferred)
- 1 small yellow onion, minced
- ½ tsp sea salt, or to taste
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
- 1 lb (16 oz) rotini pasta, dry
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- Juice of 2 limes
- 3 tbsp taco seasoning (or one 1 oz packet)
- 1½ cups corn (frozen and thawed or canned and drained)
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, cubed or shredded
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 jalapeño, diced (optional)
- 2 green onions, sliced
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
1. Cook Pasta: Boil rotini in salted water according to package instructions. Drain, rinse under cold water, and toss with 1 tbsp olive oil. Set aside.
2. Cook Beef: In a skillet, cook ground beef and minced onion over medium heat until browned. Season with salt and pepper. Let cool.
3. Make Dressing: Whisk together olive oil, lime juice, and taco seasoning in a small bowl.
4. Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine pasta, beef mixture, corn, black beans, cheese, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, jalapeño (if using), and green onions.
5. Toss Salad: Pour dressing over the salad and mix until everything is evenly coated.
6. Garnish & Serve: Top with chopped cilantro or parsley if desired. Chill before serving for best flavor.
Notes
This salad keeps well in the refrigerator for 3-5 days, making it a great option for meal prep. Store it in an airtight container, and if you’ve added avocado, consider adding it just before serving to prevent browning. The flavors actually improve as the salad chills, so it’s perfect for making ahead of time.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Lunch
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 400
- Fat: 25
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Unsaturated Fat: 15
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 40
- Fiber: 6
- Protein: 20
- Cholesterol: 75