This Taco Pasta Salad recipe is a refreshing twist on classic pasta salad combining the flavors of tacos and pasta for a delicious and easy meal. Perfect for summer barbecues, potlucks, or a quick weeknight dinner!

Taco Pasta Salad in a wood serving bowl.

Pasta Salad is one of those go-to dishes perfect for summer outings, hosting, BBQ’s, or quick meals! From my Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad, Easy Italian Pasta Salad, and this Pasta Taco Salad, there are so many variations to fit anyone’s tastes. This recipe for Taco Pasta Salad is cheesy, simple to make, and has a homemade dressing that everyone will love!

a loaded side dish or potluck option with Tex Mex flavors.

Ingredients and Substitutions

Below is a brief overview of each ingredient needed. To see printable recipe card with step by step directions, scroll to the bottom of this post or click the “jump to recipe” button at the top.

Pasta– I use 12 ounces Rotini pasta, however, you can also use any spiral shaped pasta as it will hold the dressing perfectly.
Beef– you’ll need 1 pound ground beef for this recipe. I use 80/20 as I have found it absorbs the seasoning if you use a higher fat count, but any lean ratio works. You can also substitute ground turkey, ground chicken, or ground pork.
Taco Seasoning– 1 ounce packet of store bought, or make your own homemade taco seasoning!
Tomatoes– cherry tomatoes are best as they are the best size.
Cilantro– fresh chopped cilantro.
Corn– 1 cup canned corn that has been drained and rinsed.
Beans– I use black beans, but any type of canned beans work. Be sure to drain and rinse.
Cheese– shredded Cheddar cheese is best, however, feel free to use Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, Mexican blend, or Colby Jack Cheese.
Onion– diced red onion.
Jalapeno– fresh chopped, remove seeds to eliminate any addition of heat from the pepper.
Lime– freshly squeezed lime juice offers that most flavor.

all the ingredients needed to make Taco Pasta Salad.

BBQ Dressing

Yogurt– I use plain Greek yogurt, however, you can also use sour cream if preferred.
BBQ Sauce– use your favorite brand and flavor of BBQ sauce.
Mayonnaise– any brand will work great.
Brown Sugar– light brown sugar is best.
Worcestershire Sauce– this adds so much flavor to the dressing.
Salt/ Pepper– season to taste. Feel free to add more or less.

How to make Taco Pasta Salad

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and break apart. Cook until browned, about 7-10 minutes. Drain any excess grease, then stir in the taco seasoning. Add 1 tablespoon of water to help thin the seasoning, if needed.

browning beef in a skillet and adding in taco seasoning.

While the beef is cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the Rotini pasta according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain and rinse the pasta under cold water to cool it down.

a pot of boiling pasta and a pot of drained, cooked pasta.

Halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the red onion, and remove the seeds from the jalapeño before dicing it. In a small bowl, whisk together the yogurt, BBQ sauce, mayonnaise, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper until smooth and well combined.

all the ingredients needed to make BBQ dressing in a bowl whisked together.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, taco meat, cherry tomatoes, corn, beans, cheddar cheese, red onion, lime juice, and jalapeño. Pour the BBQ dressing over the mixture and toss to combine. Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro and serve with lime wedges on the side. Enjoy!

adding a homemade BBQ dressing over cooked pasta and chopped veggies.

Storage Tips

Making in advance: store the pasta salad taco recipe in an airtight container in your refrigerator. You can also cover the large bowl with plastic wrap and place in fridge up to 3-4 days. Once ready to enjoy, add the dressing and toss to coat. To store leftovers, place in a container up to 3 days or wrap bowl in plastic wrap. This salad is best enjoyed cold and due to the add in’s, it is not recommended to freeze.

a Tex Mex inspired pasta recipe with veggies, protein, and more.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I add to this pasta taco salad recipe to make it more flavorful?

There are so many options from crushed Doritos for an added crunch, tortilla chips, corn chips, shredded Iceberg lettuce, avocado slices, green onions, bell peppers, black olives, additional jalapenos, hot sauce, or even taco sauce. Feel free to make this your own!

Can I use different shaped pasta?

Absolutely! We use Rotini because the dressing sticks nicely to that shape of pasta but you can use any other small pasta. Farfalle or Penne work great too.

Why do I need to rinse the pasta once cooked?

You rinse the pasta so it stops the cooking process. You don't want the pasta to continue cooking while it's warm, so using cold water to rinse it helps stop the cooking process. It can also help the pasta from absorbing too much of the dressing causing the taco salad to become dry instead of creamy.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Absolutely! In fact, it is actually preferred as the pasta needs at least an hour of chill time to really set up, fuse flavors together, and taste the best. The only tip, if adding crushed chips to the top, avoid doing so until just before serving so they don’t get soggy.

What should I serve with this Taco Pasta Salad?

Although this cold taco pasta salad can be a meal on it’s own, if you’re looking for pairing options, you can try my Cilantro Lime Grilled Chicken, Mexican Charro Beans, Restaurant-Style Mexican Rice, Mexican Street Corn Casserole, Jalapeno Popper Pinwheels, Taco Pinwheels or Burrito Roll Ups.

a protein packed pasta dish in a wood serving bowl.

More Potluck Recipes to try

Ultimate Potato Salad– a classic potato salad that includes hard boiled eggs, crunchy celery, onion, and more tossed in a creamy, tangy dressing! Perfect for any BBQ, potluck, picnic, or summer outing!

Creamy Grape Salad– the perfect side dish for any occasion! Made with fresh grapes, cream cheese, and a crunchy topping, this creamy fruit salad is refreshing, easy to make, and a crowd favorite! Perfect to serve at potlucks, picnics, BBQ's, and any other gathering!

Asian Ramen Coleslaw– a fast and effortless salad that leaves everyone craving for seconds! This vibrant, zesty, and crunchy Asian Slaw recipe takes less than 10 minutes to prepare, making it an ideal choice for picnics, potlucks, BBQ’s, and beyond!

Copycat Chicken Salad Chick Chicken Salad– packed with flavor and makes the perfect anytime meal! Perfect when served on bread, a croissant, or bed of lettuce! The perfect side dish or main meal that can be prepped ahead of time!

Smoked Deviled Eggs– a show-stopping twist on an old classic recipe! Perfectly flavorful and the perfect appetizer to accompany any meal!