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Taco Ranch Pasta Salad Recipe

August 18, 2020 by Megan Porta 134 Comments

Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

Tacos, ranch seasoning and pasta join forces to create this delicious Taco Ranch Pasta Salad! Delicious party food or side dish.

small bowl of taco ranch pasta salad topped with crushed Doritos

Original post: May 2016 | Updated: August 2020

Are you looking for a unique but oh-so-tasty dish to bring to your next gathering (large or small!)? Taco Ranch Pasta Salad is your match! There are so many varieties of pasta salad that make people yawn, but this is not one of those recipes.

I brought this particular salad to a party recently and got rave reviews from a family member who “does not like pasta salad.” YESsss. I always love putting the spin on a dish that changes a person’s mind.

HOW TO MAKE TACO RANCH PASTA SALAD

STEP 1

In a medium bowl, combine seasoning mix, mayo, sour cream and lime juice. Mix well and set aside.

mayo, sour cream and ranch mix in mixing bowl

STEP 2

In a large bowl, combine pasta, black beans, corn, tomatoes, onions and cilantro.

large bowl with ingredients for taco ranch pasta salad sitting next to seasoning dressing

Add seasoned mixture and mix well. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

taco ranch pasta salad all mixed together in a bowl

When ready to serve, top with shredded cheddar cheese and crushed Doritos!

RECIPE NOTES FOR TACO RANCH PASTA SALAD

  • Add protein to this dish by adding 2 cups of cooked shredded chicken or cooked ground beef.
  • Add 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning in place of the ranch dressing mix for a more intense taco flavor.
  • For extra spice, stir in 1 diced jalapeno. Remove seeds first!
  • Cut the amounts of both the mayo and sour cream in half for a slimmer recipe.
  • Wait until just before serving to top with the cheese and Doritos!
  • Use GF pasta for a gluten free salad!
top view of pasta salad topped with cheese and chips

CAN YOU FREEZE THIS RECIPE?

This pasta salad contains mayo and sour cream, which are not ideal for freezing. Cream-based ingredients will not separate entirely after being removed from the freezer and may have an undesirable texture. Eat it up!

top view of small bowl filled with pasta salad sitting next to larger mixing bowl

OTHER DELICIOUS PASTA SALADS TO ENJOY!

  • This is the best pasta salad recipe you will ever find. It is packed full of delicious bites (olives, salami, tomatoes and artichokes). Perfect for parties!
  • This Caprese salad is a huge hit at parties! Serve this delicious dish as a side, salad or appetizer. The combination of tomatoes, Mozzarella cheese and basil is absolute perfection! Everyone loves this salad.
  • Spruce up your next pasta salad by making this tangy Asian Pasta Salad! Packed with an irresistible sweet and salty flavor and tons of colorful, crunchy vegetables.
  • If you are a pickle lover, this Dill Pickle version is for YOU! It is creamy, flavorful and crunchy all in a single bite. This is a great, quick recipe to throw together for summer gatherings and potlucks.
  • This zesty Italian Salad is a delicious cold salad that does not lack in flavor! Packed with pasta, crisp veggies, fresh mozzarella, black olives and salami.
  • Easy Classic Macaroni Salad is creamy, crunchy, filling and totally delicious! You have hard boiled eggs, crunchy celery and dill pickles chopped up and mixed in.
  • Mediterranean Pasta Salad – Fill your fork with an incredibly tasty salad that combines pasta with fresh, crisp vegetables and a light vinaigrette straight from the Mediterranean!

Taco Ranch Pasta Salad

Tacos, ranch flavors and pasta salad join forces to create this delicious Taco Ranch Pasta Salad! Delicious party food any time of year or great side dish or lunch option.
Print Pin Rate
Course: Salad
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: how do i make pasta ranch pasta salad
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 15
Calories: 386kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 oz dry ranch dressing mix
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 2 tbsp Lime juice
  • 16 oz rotini pasta cooked to al dente and rinsed with cold water
  • 15 oz black beans drained and rinsed
  • 14.5 oz corn drained
  • 14.5 oz. diced tomatoes
  • 1 bunch green onions sliced
  • 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
  • 1 cup Doritos crumbled

Instructions

  • In a medium bowl, combine seasoning mix, mayo, sour cream and lime juice. Mix well and set aside.
  • In a large bowl, combine pasta, black beans, corn, tomatoes, onions and cilantro. Add seasoned mixture and mix well. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
  • When ready to serve, top with cheese and crushed Doritos!

Notes

  • Add protein to this dish by adding 2 cups of cooked shredded chicken or cooked ground beef.
  • Add 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning in place of the ranch dressing mix for a more intense taco flavor.
  • For extra spice, stir in 1 diced jalapeno. Remove seeds first!
  • To slim the recipe down a bit, cut the amounts of both the mayo and sour cream in half.
  • Be sure not to top with cheese and Doritos until just before serving!
  • Use GF pasta for a gluten free salad!

Nutrition

Calories: 386kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 333mg | Potassium: 332mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 319IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 110mg | Iron: 2mg

Filed Under: Appetizers, Latest, Salads Tagged With: Backyard BBQ, Black Beans, Chicken, Doritos, Grab A Fork, Pasta, Pool Party, Ranch, Salads, Stove Top, Summer, Summer Potluck, Vegetables

Previous Post: « Vegetable Rice Salad for Summer
Next Post: Frozen Peach Yogurt (FroYo) Recipe »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Amanda Sakovitz

    June 22, 2016 at 8:46 pm

    id add this to burritos

    Reply
  2. Denise L

    June 22, 2016 at 5:49 pm

    tweeted – https://twitter.com/dmarie824/status/745674367464517636

    Reply
  3. Denise L

    June 22, 2016 at 5:47 pm

    My in-laws put Hidden Valley ranch seasoning in mashed potatoes. I don’t know anyone else who does that, but it seems like a good idea for my next get together.
    dmarie824 at aol dot com

    Reply
  4. Ellie Wright

    June 21, 2016 at 5:23 pm

    tweeted

    https://twitter.com/eswright18/status/745305057415946240

    Reply
  5. Ellie Wright

    June 21, 2016 at 5:21 pm

    I would use it for a dip for a bread bowl.

    Reply
  6. Nikki

    June 21, 2016 at 2:13 am

    Sounds delish!

    Reply
  7. donna

    June 20, 2016 at 8:44 pm

    tweeted
    https://twitter.com/linjumimom/status/744994400997097472

    Reply
  8. donna

    June 20, 2016 at 8:44 pm

    cold chicken salad 🙂

    Reply
  9. Stephanie Phelps

    June 18, 2016 at 11:51 pm

    I tweeted [email protected]
    https://twitter.com/my4boysand1/status/744316077367234560

    Reply
  10. Stephanie Phelps

    June 18, 2016 at 11:51 pm

    I would add it to my pasta salad and my guacamole! I bet both would taste amazing that way! [email protected]

    Reply
  11. Susan Christy

    June 18, 2016 at 8:48 pm

    I will add it to the potato salad I’m making for my 4th of July BBQ.

    Reply
  12. Kim H.

    June 18, 2016 at 5:34 pm

    I would mix it into my chicken salad!

    Reply
  13. Linda

    June 17, 2016 at 11:58 pm

    Tweet https://twitter.com/Lindiac/status/743955628352122880

    Reply
  14. Linda

    June 17, 2016 at 11:57 pm

    7 Layer Taco Dip, yum

    Reply
  15. Gina M

    June 17, 2016 at 7:47 pm

    TWEET–https://twitter.com/WildOrchid985/status/743892716027777024

    Reply
  16. Gina M

    June 17, 2016 at 7:46 pm

    I would add the ranch seasoning mix to my homemade chex mix!

    Thanks for the chance to win!
    wildorchid985 at gmail dot com

    Reply
  17. natasha

    June 16, 2016 at 11:21 pm

    I love using hidden valley dry ranch seasoning in our bacon ranch burgers! Its always a hit at every bbq.

    nlamore79 at gmail dot com

    Reply
  18. natasha

    June 16, 2016 at 11:19 pm

    https://twitter.com/Natashalamoreu1/status/743583453317304321

    Reply
  19. Brooke R.

    June 16, 2016 at 3:46 pm

    This looks tasty! I add Hidden Valley Ranch Seasoning mix to cream cheese and shredded cheddar cheese to make an amazing cheese ball!! I’ll be making that a lot this summer when my family comes to visit!

    Reply
  20. Susan Smith

    June 14, 2016 at 10:28 pm

    https://twitter.com/susan1215/status/742846005373079552

    Reply
    • Susan Smith

      June 14, 2016 at 10:30 pm

      Email address is s2s2 at cox dot net

      Reply
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