Cowboy Pasta Salad (Print Version)
Beef, bacon, corn, and cheddar tossed with rotini in a smoky BBQ ranch dressing for a hearty crowd-pleasing dish.
# What You Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 14 oz rotini or penne pasta
→ Meats
02 - 10 oz ground beef
03 - 6 slices bacon, chopped
→ Vegetables
04 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
05 - 1 cup canned corn, drained
06 - ½ red onion, finely chopped
07 - ½ cup pickled jalapeño slices (optional)
08 - 2 green onions, sliced
→ Cheese
09 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
→ Dressing
10 - 1 cup ranch dressing
11 - ¼ cup BBQ sauce
12 - 1 tbsp hot sauce (optional)
13 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
# Directions:
01 - Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and rinse under cold running water to halt cooking and cool the pasta completely.
02 - While the pasta cooks, place the chopped bacon in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the bacon is golden and crispy. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease.
03 - In the same skillet, add the ground beef and cook over medium heat, breaking it apart with a spoon, until fully browned and no pink remains. Drain off any excess fat and season generously with salt and pepper. Set aside to cool slightly.
04 - In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled pasta, browned ground beef, crispy bacon, halved cherry tomatoes, drained corn, chopped red onion, pickled jalapeño slices, sliced green onions, and shredded cheddar cheese. Toss gently to distribute evenly.
05 - In a separate bowl, whisk together the ranch dressing, BBQ sauce, and hot sauce if using until smooth and well blended. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss thoroughly until every ingredient is evenly coated.
06 - Taste the salad and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed. For the best flavor development, cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The BBQ ranch dressing clings to every spiral of pasta so each bite carries the full flavor.
- It travels beautifully for potlucks and actually tastes better after sitting in the fridge for a few hours.
02 -
- Do not skip rinsing the pasta under cold water or you will end up with a gummy, clumpy mess.
- Adding the dressing while the beef is still warm helps it absorb deeper into the meat.
03 -
- Cook the bacon a day ahead and store it in a zip top bag so you can throw the whole salad together in under twenty minutes.
- Whisk a tablespoon of the pickled jalapeno brine into the dressing for a secret tang that nobody can quite identify.