Description

Cowboy Pasta Salad is loaded with rotini, ground beef, crispy bacon, black beans, corn, cheese, and a creamy barbecue dressing. It’s an easy make-ahead side dish that’s perfect for potlucks, backyard BBQs, family gatherings, and Labor Day.

Ingredients

16 oz rotini pasta noodles

1 lb ground beef

6 slices bacon, chopped

15.25 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed

15 oz can corn, drained

1 pt grape tomatoes, halved or quartered

1 cup mexican blend cheese, shredded

2-3 green onions, diced

¾ cup mayonnaise

3 tbsp barbecue sauce

1 ½ tbsp worcestershire sauce

1 ½ tsp Sriracha sauce

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Instructions

Cut the tomatoes into halves or quarters, depending on their size. Dice the green onions and set them aside.
Cook the rotini according to the package directions. Drain in a colander and rinse under cold water until the pasta is cool.
Add the chopped bacon to a medium skillet and cook over medium-low heat until crispy. Drain the grease and set the bacon aside.
In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat, breaking it into crumbles as it cooks, until no longer pink. Drain any excess grease.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, barbecue sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and sriracha until smooth.
Transfer the cooled pasta to a large mixing bowl and toss with the dressing until evenly coated.
Add the cooked ground beef, bacon, black beans, corn, tomatoes, shredded cheese, and green onions. Toss gently until everything is well combined.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
Garnish with additional diced green onions, if desired, and serve.

Notes

Store Cowboy Pasta Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. Give the salad a good stir before serving, as the pasta will absorb some of the dressing while it chills.

If the salad seems a little dry after storing, stir in a spoonful of mayonnaise or a splash of barbecue sauce to freshen it up. This pasta salad is not recommended for freezing, as the mayonnaise-based dressing and fresh vegetables don’t thaw well.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Chill Time: 1 hour
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: Oven/Stovetop
Cuisine: American