Cowboy Pasta Salad

 

Loaded with plenty of tasty ingredients and covered in a creamy and flavorful dressing, this cowboy pasta salad is a filling meal on its own.

If you are looking for a cowboy-sized dish, our loaded cowboy pasta salad will do the trick. This is not your average macaroni salad and is packed with plenty of protein, veggies, and cheese, plus the perfect amount of kick from the creamy dressing. 

Cowboy Pasta Salad Ingredients

With a mix of tender pasta, crisp veggies, and savory seasonings, this dish has become a staple of backyard barbecues and potlucks alike.

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The creamy dressing coats each bite with a delectable combination of tangy and zesty flavors.

Whether you’re a fan of traditional macaroni salad or just looking for something new to try, cowboy pasta salad is sure to satisfy your taste buds and leave you craving more.

You’ll need:

For The Macaroni Salad:

• 16 ounces of elbow macaroni
• 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
• 1 pound of lean ground beef
• ⅛ teaspoon of red pepper flakes
• 1 pound of smoked bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 1 (15.25-ounce) can of whole kernel sweet corn, drained
• 1 (15.25-ounce) can of black beans, drained and rinsed
• 2¼ cups of halved cherry tomatoes
• ½ cup of thinly sliced green onion
• 2 cups of finely shredded cheddar cheese

For The Dressing:

• 1 cup of mayonnaise (your favorite brand)
• 2 tablespoons of barbecue sauce (your favorite brand)
• 2 tablespoons of lime juice 
• 1½ tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard 
• 2 teaspoons of sriracha sauce
• ½ teaspoon of kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon of fresh cracked black pepper
• STEP ONE: Cook the elbow macaroni to al dente according to the package directions. Drain the hot water off and rinse with cold water to stop the noodles from cooking. 
• STEP SEVEN: Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat the ingredients thoroughly. Serve immediately, or cover the salad and chill in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve.

• How To Serve

  This hearty pasta salad can stand on its own as a full meal or be served as a side dish. Add our cucumber salad or Caesar salad for a little bit of extra freshness and greenery, and you will have a filling lunch or dinner to enjoy.

  For a heartier option, grilled corn on the cob or fried chicken are excellent choices.

  Don’t forget to check out our potato salad or taco pasta salad as two more hearty summer salad options to feed a crowd.

• Storage

  Pasta salad doesn’t tend to do well in the freezer, but it will keep in the refrigerator for a few days

• IN THE FRIDGE: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. 

  IN Even heartier than a typical pasta salad and with plenty of tasty ingredients, all smothered in a creamy dressing, this cowboy pasta salad is a dish that you don’t want to miss. Plan to bring this to your next potluck. It’s hearty enough for a main dish but just as perfect for a crowd-pleasing side dish

  
  

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• THE FREEZER: We don’t recommend freezing pasta salad as the texture will become soggy once thawed.

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