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Cowboy Pasta Salad

Delicious Cowboy Pasta Salad Recipe for Your Next Gathering

This Cowboy Pasta Salad offers a delightful mix of flavors perfect for any occasion.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Additional Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Salads
Cuisine: American
Calories: 417

Ingredients
  

  • 12 ounces rotini or penne pasta
  • 1/2 pound lean ground beef
  • 1/2 pound smoked sausage kielbasa or andouille sliced into half-moon shapes
  • 6 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes or grape 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
  • 1/2 medium red onion finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro optional, chopped
  • 1 whole jalapeño pepper finely diced, seeds removed for less heat
  • 3/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 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
  • whisk
  • large bowl
  • Airtight container

Method
 

  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: 26gSodium: 473mgFiber: 3gSugar: 3g

Notes

This Cowboy Pasta Salad is versatile; feel free to customize it with seasonal vegetables or alternative proteins to fit your taste preference.

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