Cowboy Pasta Salad
A hearty and delicious pasta salad combining meaty flavors and tangy ranch dressing, perfect for any gathering or family dinner.
Ingredients
Pasta Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta (your choice of type)
- 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 lb ground beef, cooked and drained Can be substituted with turkey or plant-based alternative.
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or your preference)
- 1/2 cup hot sauce Adjust to taste.
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup green onions, sliced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Preparation
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and allow it to cool.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, crumbled bacon, cooked ground beef, shredded cheese, cherry tomatoes, and green onions.
- In a separate small bowl, mix together the hot sauce and ranch dressing.
- Pour the dressing mixture over the pasta mixture and toss to combine evenly.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
For added flavor, sauté ground beef with garlic or onions. Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3-5 days in the refrigerator. Consider storing dressing separately to keep freshness.