Creamy Taco Pasta Salad has all the flavors of one of your favorite Mexican foods, in an easy to serve pasta salad! Bow-tie shaped pasta, crisp corn, red ripe tomatoes, crispy romaine lettuce, cheddar cheese, ripe black olives, and green onions all come together with a zippy creamy taco flavored dressing that will leave you saying, “Ole!”
In my house, we love tacos and we love pasta, so this delicious pasta salad was a win-win for me! The boys loved it and hubby is already asking me to make it again. We are big lovers of Mexican flavors and this salad tastes just like a taco but in pasta salad form! How fun is that? I’ve even taken my love of tacos and turned it into a Taco Salad for everyday eating!
I garnished my salad with some sour cream, cilantro, and some sliced fresh jalapenos, but you can garnish it however you like! I didn’t have any this time when I made it, but I think avocados would be a great addition too. If you aren’t a cilantro fan…no problem. Leave it out or replace it with fresh parsley. That’s what is so great about this versatile pasta salad, you can add or omit whatever you like. It is a snap to make too! Just toss all the salad ingredients into a large bowl, mix up the dressing ingredients, and combine the two. This salad makes a wonderful side dish, a fun pot luck dish, or an easy meatless summer meal.
 Don’t be put off by the lettuce in this salad. If you’ve never had lettuce in a pasta salad, you are in for a treat. It really gives it a nice contrast of textures! Make Creamy Taco Pasta Salad today and have your own family and friends saying, “Ole!”
Ingredients
- 8 oz. - 10 oz. dry bow-tie pasta or your favorite pasta shape cooked according to package directions, drained and rinsed in cold water
- 3 cups romaine lettuce chopped
- 1 cup grape tomatoes halved
- 1 - 11 oz. can of Mexicorn drained
- 1 cup sliced black olives
- 3 green onions chopped
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- handful of fresh cilantro chopped
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 cup sour cream
- 3 TBS taco seasoning
- 10 oz. can Rotel tomatoes do not drain!
Instructions
- Combine cooked pasta, romaine, grape tomatoes, Mexicorn, sliced black olives, green onions, cheddar cheese, and cilantro in a large bowl.
- In a small bowl, combine the ingredients for the dressing: mayo, sour cream, taco seasoning, and Rotel tomatoes.
- Pour dressing over the salad and mix to combine.
- Refrigerate about an hour to allow flavors to blend.
Nutrition
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Diana says
Creamy, delish!
Diana says
This is a delicious salad. Whenever I take it to a summer party at least one person requests the recipe! I usually drain and rinse black beans and add to the salad. Thanks!
Aubrey Cota says
I love when a recipe is popular at a gathering, makes me feel so good! I’m glad it works out so nicely for you.
Gabz says
This sounds wonderful! I’m starting to compile recipes and ideas to make dinners less “stressful” when the weather finally gets nice and I’m splitting time between 2 houses, my large gardens, and my work! Thank you for coming up with such a great recipe!
Aubrey Cota says
Can’t wait for you to try it! Thank you.
kazy says
Can I substitute fresh chopped Roma tomatoes for the canned Rotel tomatoes?
Renee P says
I don’t see why not!
Tina says
Can this be made the night before or will it be too soggy? I am making this for my son’s preschool family picnic tomorrow afternoon. Unfortunately, I have a memorial service for his grandma tomorrow morning.
Renee P says
You could make it ahead of time and add everything except the lettuce. Add that before serving. That might work!
Alison says
Ooo this looks so creamy and delicious! I must give this a try! Pinning!! 🙂
Lois Roe says
I would like your receipes.
Julie K says
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plasterers bristol says
This sounds really delicious and something new to try. Thank you for sharing this.
Simon
Melanie Hanni says
This creamy taco salad looks wonderful, can’t wait to try it. I make a taco fiesta salad that we love, this is another twist.