Cowboy Pasta Salad (Print Version)

Beef, bacon, and veggies tossed in tangy BBQ ranch dressing over rotini pasta.

# What You'll 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

# How to Cook:

01 - Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini or penne 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. Set aside.
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, about 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease. Set aside.
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. Season generously with salt and black pepper. Remove from heat and let the beef 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 the ingredients 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 mixture and toss thoroughly, ensuring every component is evenly coated.
06 - Taste the salad and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and black pepper as needed. For the best flavor development, cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. Serve chilled as a hearty main or a crowd-pleasing side.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The smoky BBQ ranch dressing clings to every spiral of pasta and makes each bite feel indulgent without much effort.
  • It travels beautifully, which means you can make it ahead and actually enjoy the party instead of babysitting a dish.
02 -
  • Under seasoning the beef is the most common mistake, so taste the cooked meat before it goes into the bowl.
  • Rinsing the pasta seems wrong for hot dishes but is essential here to stop the cooking process and wash away excess starch.
03 -
  • Cook the bacon a day ahead and store it in a sealed container so assembly goes faster when you are short on time.
  • Mix the dressing separately before adding it to the salad, because pouring each component directly over the pasta creates uneven pockets of flavor.

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