Tex-Mex Fiesta Beef & Cheddar Pasta Salad

Recipe Collection: Salads

Tex-Mex Fiesta Beef & Cheddar Pasta Salad elevates your meal prep with a hearty dish that combines seasoned ground beef, colorful veggies, and sharp Cheddar cheese, creating a satisfying blend of flavors and textures. Perfect for non-vegetarians, this Tex-Mex recipe is ideal for potlucks, barbecues, or family dinners.

With its bold taste, this pasta salad is versatile enough to serve as a main course or a side dish. Easily select this recipe from the easyChef Pro App, where you can access personalized recommendations, AI-powered pantry tracking, and a smart shopping list for cost-effective meal planning. Get started today and make mealtime a breeze!

Overview

This Zesty Tex-Mex Beef & Cheddar Pasta Salad is a crowd-pleaser, perfect for gatherings or a hearty family meal. Packed with seasoned beef, vibrant vegetables, and creamy Cheddar, this dish combines the bold flavors of Tex-Mex cuisine with the comforting texture of pasta. It's a guaranteed hit at any event, leaving everyone asking for seconds.

Diet Type

Not Vegetarian

Allergies

Dairy, Gluten

Cuisine

Tex-Mex

Serving Size: 10

Cooking Time: 95 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 Tablespoons (tbsp) olive oil
• 1 Teaspoon (tsp) salt
• 1 16 Ounces (oz) package fusilli pasta
• 2 Pounds (lb) extra-lean ground beef, ground
• 1 1.25 Ounces (oz) package taco seasoning mix
• 1 24 Ounces (oz) jar mild salsa
• 1.5 Red bell peppers, minced
• 1 8 Ounces (oz) bottle ranch dressing
• 6 Green onions, minced
• 0.75 Cups pickled jalapeño peppers, minced
• 1 2.25 Ounces (oz) can sliced black olives
• 1 8 Ounces (oz) package Cheddar cheese, shredded

Steps

1. Cook the Pasta: Fill a large pot with water, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 teaspoon of salt. Bring to a boil over high heat. Add the fusilli pasta and cook until al dente, about 9 minutes. Drain and set aside.
2. Prepare the Beef: In a large skillet, heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned and crumbly. Drain excess grease. Stir in the taco seasoning mix, ensuring the beef is well-coated. Remove from heat and let it cool completely.
3. Mix the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the salsa, minced red bell peppers, ranch dressing, green onions, jalapeños, and black olives. Stir in the cooked fusilli, seasoned beef, and shredded Cheddar cheese until well combined.
4. Chill and Serve: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld. Serve chilled and enjoy the zesty flavors of this Tex-Mex delight.

Enjoy your homemade Tex-Mex Fiesta Beef & Cheddar Pasta Salad!