Skip to Content

Taco Pasta Salad Recipe

Taco Pasta Salad – a creamy pasta salad with all your favorite taco toppings! Great to make ahead and have in the fridge for dinner or to take to any get together.

Summer seems to be the season for entertaining. Maybe even more so than the holidays. It seems that every weekend we have a different barbecue to go to, pool party, family reunion or something else. Something about the nice weather has everyone wanting to get outside and spend time with friends and family.

One thing almost all of these events have in common? You usually need to bring a dish to share. I always go for something easy I can make ahead of time like Southwestern Corn Salad. Or sometimes I will bring dessert. But it is always a no bake dessert. Like Boston Cream Pie Ice Box Cake.

a bowl of taco pasta salad

 

In the summer I kind of live on pasta salads. I have them for lunch during the week, bring them to parties, make them as a side dish when we have burgers or grill Cilantro Lime Chicken, or even just serve them for dinner.

For years my son didn’t think he liked pasta salad. Something about cold pasta, he just didn’t like. Last year that changed! Pasta Salad with Summer Sausage and Grilled Veggies  is now a way I can get him to eat his vegetables. So when I made this taco pasta salad, I was excited to see what he thought. He loved it, and I know it will be on repeat all summer long.

a bowl of taco pasta salad

Taco pasta salad is made with a creamy salsa dressing, and mixed with your favorite taco toppings. I used tomatoes, black olives, avocado, and corn. But you could do whatever your family likes. Use black beans, or bell peppers, or red onions; just about anything! You can even top with crushed tortilla chips for a little crunch!

You can make this taco pasta salad the day before, or in the morning and have it waiting for you for dinner. The flavors come together if you let is sit for a couple hours. Plus the only work is really cooking the pasta and mixing the dressing. So with just a few minutes work you can have this creamy pasta salad on the table tonight!

a bowl of taco pasta salad

This is my go to cold pasta salad when I have to take a dish to a party.  It always disappears quickly!  We have a friend who claims he doesn’t like cold pasta, but I got him to try this and he loved it. It is that good!  So if you are on the fence, give it a try. Trust me, you will not be disappointed.

Plus when you can mix in your own favorite veggies like black beans or use cubes of cheddar cheese instead of shredded, skip the black olives etc. You know you are going to love it!

a bowl of taco pasta salad

More great Summer Dinner Recipes

a bowl of taco pasta salad

Yield: 8

Taco Pasta Salad Recipe

Taco Pasta Salad - a creamy pasta salad with all your favorite taco toppings! Great to make ahead and have in the fridge for dinner or to take to any get together.

Taco Pasta Salad - a creamy pasta salad with all your favorite taco toppings! Great to make ahead and have in the fridge for dinner or to take to any get together.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes

Ingredients

Dressing

  • 3/4 cup mayo
  • 3/4 cup sour cream
  • 3/4 cup salsa
  • 1 packet taco seasoning

Salad

  • 1 pound pasta, cooked according to package directions
  • 1 cup corn kernels
  • 1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
  • 1 ½ cup cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 small can sliced black olives, drained
  • 2 avocados, diced
  • 4 green onions, thinly sliced

Instructions

    1. In a bowl whisk together mayo, sour cream, salsa, and taco seasoning until smooth. Set aside.
    2. In a large bowl mix together cooked pasta, corn, tomatoes, cheese, olives, avocado and green onions. Add dressing, and mix until everything is evenly coated.
    3. Place in fridge until chilled.

Notes

Can be made the day ahead

Nutrition Information

Yield

8

Serving Size

1

Amount Per Serving Calories 484Total Fat 35gSaturated Fat 10gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 23gCholesterol 42mgSodium 711mgCarbohydrates 33gFiber 6gSugar 5gProtein 12g

Nutrition Disclaimer: All information presented on this site is intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information shared on dinnersdishesanddesserts.com should only be used as a general guideline.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a picture on social media!

I created a fun group on Facebook, and I would love for you to join us! It’s a place where you can share YOUR favorite recipes, ask questions, and see what’s new at Dinners, and Desserts (so that you never miss a new recipe)! If you’d like to check it out, you can request to join HERE.

Be sure to follow me on Instagram and tag #dinnersdishes so I can see all the wonderful DINNERS, DISHES, AND DESSERTS recipes YOU make!

 Connect with Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts! 

Be sure to follow me on my social media, so you never miss a post!

Facebook | TwitterPinterest | Instagram 

 

 

Save

Erin S
Follow me
Latest posts by Erin S (see all)

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Jen

Wednesday 15th of July 2020

What can you use to substitute the mayo?

Erin S

Wednesday 15th of July 2020

Sour cream or Greek yogurt would both be good.

BeBe

Sunday 14th of June 2020

What can I use in the place of avocados?

Erin S

Monday 15th of June 2020

You can just leave them out. Or add black beans or jalapenos or any other taco topping you like.

Rhonda Frazier

Friday 26th of July 2019

Just made 1st time for a family reunion tomorrow. Delicious!! Cant wait to share with my family.

IFortuna

Wednesday 20th of March 2019

Delicious recipe! Best to make your own seasoning mix. I use cumin, mild chile powder and some oregano. Of course, you can personalize it but those are the seasonings of the Mexican kitchen. Instead of salsa, I use pico de gallo. Chopped, seeded tomatoes, green part of the green onion. and at least one bunch of fresh cilantro is mine. If you seed your tomatoes, it will last longer in the fridge. Don't use sugar or salt until ready to serve or it will make your pico de gallo mushy and watery.

Sandra | A Dash of Sanity

Tuesday 13th of March 2018

This looks really good! Love those festive colors and flavors!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Skip to Recipe