Crunchy Taco Pasta Salad
A quick and easy party favorite pasta salad with a perfect balance of creamy, tangy, and crunchy textures made with just five simple ingredients.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces rotini pasta
- 1 packet (about 2 tablespoons) taco seasoning mix
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 3 cups crushed tortilla chips
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces of rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions, usually 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Drain well in a colander and rinse briefly under cold water to stop cooking and cool it down. Set aside to drain completely (about 5 minutes).
- Transfer the cooled pasta to a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle the taco seasoning evenly over the pasta. Add 1/2 cup ranch dressing. Gently fold everything together until the pasta is evenly coated with the seasoning and dressing.
- Stir in 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese. Optionally, toss in chopped green onions or diced tomatoes for extra freshness.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld and the salad chill.
- Just before serving, crush about 3 cups of sturdy tortilla chips and sprinkle them over the salad. Gently toss to combine, keeping the chips crunchy.
Notes
Do not add tortilla chips until just before serving to keep them crunchy. Rinse pasta in cold water after cooking to stop cooking and prevent sticking. Use gluten-free pasta and check taco seasoning for gluten-free version. Optional protein additions include cooked ground beef or shredded chicken.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup (200 gra
- Calories: 320
- Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 38
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 12
Keywords: taco pasta salad, crunchy pasta salad, party salad, easy pasta salad, taco seasoning salad