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Delicious Cowboy Pasta Salad Recipe for Your Next Gathering

Delicious Cowboy Pasta Salad Recipe Perfect for Your Next Gathering

This Delicious Cowboy Pasta Salad Recipe is perfect for your next gathering, combining robust flavors and textures to create a crowd-pleasing dish.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Chilling Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Lunch
Cuisine: American
Calories: 417

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Proteins
  • 12 ounces rotini or penne pasta
  • ½ pound lean ground beef
  • ½ pound smoked sausage kielbasa or andouille sliced into half-moon shapes
  • 6 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
Vegetables and Cheese
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 cup whole kernel corn fresh, canned, or thawed frozen
  • 1 cup black beans rinsed and drained
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese cubed or shredded
  • ½ medium red onion finely chopped
  • ¼ cup fresh cilantro optional, chopped
  • 1 whole jalapeño pepper finely diced, seeds removed for less heat
Dressing
  • ¾ cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup sour cream
  • 2 tablespoons BBQ sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice or apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Equipment

  • large pot
  • skillet
  • large bowl
  • small bowl

Method
 

Cooking Instructions
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to cool it down, then set it aside.
  2. In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned and fully cooked, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain off any excess grease and let it cool. In the same skillet, cook the sliced sausage until browned on the edges and heated through, about 5–7 minutes. Set that aside.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, BBQ sauce, Dijon mustard, lime juice, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy.
  4. In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta with the ground beef, sausage, bacon, cherry tomatoes, corn, black beans, cheddar cheese, red onion, jalapeño, and cilantro. Pour the dressing over the top and toss until everything is evenly coated.
  5. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to blend. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 417kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 16gFat: 26g

Notes

This pasta salad can be customized by swapping proteins or adding different vegetables. Perfect for any gathering or as a meal prep option.

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