Best Ever Taco Pasta Salad (Easy 25-Minute Recipe)

★★★★☆3 votes

Taco Pasta Salad is hearty and filling, featuring all of the best Tex Mex flavors. Create a fusion of flavor with tender rotini noodles and all of your favorite taco fillings! Prep ahead or have this pasta taco salad recipe ready to serve in 30 minutes!

When it comes to pasta salad recipes, you’re going to love the Mexican flavors of this one! It’s loaded with all your favorite taco toppings and can easily be a complete meal.

Taco fans agree that this cold pasta salad is a great dish for your next gathering! 

It’s like having all the best parts of a taco right in one delicious bowl.

You can also easily change up the look and taste of this flavorful taco pasta salad to make it exactly like you want for taco night.

I make this all the time during the summer months and warm summer nights, and it’s a great addition to the dinner table. 

Those juicy tomatoes and tender pasta make a killer main course! You can also make this delicious taco pasta salad doubled or tripled in size to feed large crowds.

With a cooking process that is as easy as this, this new recipe will soon become one of your favorite recipes! 

I promise that once you make this creamy pasta salad, it’ll be one of your favorite things!

Gather the simple ingredients to make this easy taco pasta salad recipe and don’t forget to top it with crunchy Doritos!

It has all the classic taco flavors you could want in the main dish, with everything combined to enjoy in a small bowl.

Top with fresh lime juice – and enjoy! (I also add some chili powder for heat!) 

Taco Pasta Salad

There’s plenty of cheesy goodness in this pasta taco salad recipe from cheddar cubes and nacho Doritos, plus fresh veggies provide plenty of texture and crunch.

Seasoned ground beef makes the dish extra filling, and everything is tied together with tangy Catalina dressing for one delicious bite you won’t forget!

Pasta salads are so easy to throw together for a last-minute meal, and there are so many flavor options to choose from!

BLTs, steak fajitas, or a Big Mac burger — no matter what you’re craving, there’s a pasta salad recipe for you!

Serve taco salad with Catalina dressing alongside all of your backyard BBQ favorites. It’s also filling enough to be eaten as an easy weeknight meal.

Need a grab-and-go option for parties? You’ll love this recipe for Walking Tacos! 

Guests can enjoy their meal right out of the bag, which means no plates and utensils to clean up afterward.

Another quick, portable taco snack that’s just as satisfying is our Cheesy Taco Pinwheels!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

• Ground beef – Be sure to drain off all of the grease and allow this to cool completely before mixing into the salad — same goes for the pasta. 
  
  If you have leftover ground beef, you can get away with as little as ½ or ¾ pound in this taco pasta salad if needed. 
  
  Or, swap in any of your other favorite taco meats like ground turkey, ground chicken, carnitas, or grilled chicken.
  
• Catalina dressing – Follow the measurements carefully! 
  
  Because the flavor is stronger, you won’t need as much as other salads tossed with vinaigrette or Italian dressing. 
  
  However, the Catalina dressing will absorb into the other ingredients the longer it sits. Have some extra on hand if you won’t be serving immediately. 
  
  French dressing is a great substitute, or you can honestly use any tangy dressing that you want.
   
• Veggies – This pasta taco salad recipe calls for grape tomatoes, bell pepper, sliced black olives, and fresh avocado. You can adjust the amounts to your taste or swap out anything you don’t like.
  
• Cheese – Medium cheddar adds enough flavor to Catalina dressing taco salad without overpowering the other ingredients. 
  
  Colby or Monterey Jack would make a great substitute. I’ve also used sharp cheddar cheese in this side dish so it really comes down to personal preference. 
  
• Doritos – Use the classic Nacho Cheese flavor or Spicy Nacho for an extra kick. If those are too cheesy, try corn chips like Fritos instead. Tortilla strips are excellent choies, too. 
  
• Herbs and seasoning – I love fresh cilantro in many of my Tex Mex recipes. However, feel free to omit it if you’re not a fan. 
  
  You can also use more or less of the taco seasoning for the ground beef if desired.

Prep Ahead Instructions

This recipe is perfect for a potluck taco pasta salad! Cook the pasta and the meat ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator. 

Be sure to rinse the noodles well in cold water so they don’t stick together.

You could also cut up all of the veggies and cheese in advance, then assemble and toss the taco salad with Catalina dressing before you head out the door! 

I recommend cutting the avocado at the last minute so it doesn’t brown.

Kitchen Tools You Will Need

• Large Pot and Strainer for the rotini
• Skillet – This is my go-to pan that I’ve had for over a decade!
• Quality Knives and a big solid Cutting Board make prepping a breeze and are well worth the investment.
• Large Bowl – A clear bowl will show off all of the incredible ingredients in this taco pasta salad recipe.

Taco Dorito Salad FAQ

Storing Leftover Taco Salad with Catalina Dressing

Refrigerate leftovers covered or in an airtight container for up to 3 days. 

Add additional Catalina dressing to taco salad as needed if leftovers seem a bit dry.

Keep in mind that the chips in this taco Dorito salad will become soft over time. You could always store them separately and add a handful to each bowl before serving.

Enjoy!

With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.

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Originally published July 2018, updated and republished June 2025

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