Taco Pasta Salad
Taco Pasta Salad
Hello, my fellow food adventurers!
Today’s Quest: Taco Pasta Salad! My family love, love, LOVES taco night. It’s one of those things that we can always throw together, even when it’s not planned. I usually have everything on hand, so when the taco cravings strike, we are ready for battle. But let’s be honest—sometimes you want to shake things up a little. That’s where this Taco Pasta Salad comes in! It’s an easy, quick meal that still delivers all the bold, zesty flavors of taco night, just with a fun twist. Picture this: Spicy taco-seasoned ground turkey mixed with Ro-tel, sautéed onion and bell pepper, all tossed with tri-colored rotini pasta. Then, we level it up with melty cheese, fresh salsa, and a cool dollop of sour cream. Every bite is packed with that irresistible taco goodness! If you can’t tell, Mexican-inspired dishes are a big deal in my house. We love trying new variations of tacos, and this one has quickly become a family favorite. This recipe makes 6 servings, but let’s be real—there are NEVER leftovers. It disappears in record time!
Ingredients You’ll Need (Your Quest Inventory):
1 lb. ground turkey (or the beast of your choosing)
16 oz. tri-colored rotini pasta (crafted by the Elves, obviously)
1 package taco seasoning (for maximum spell potency)
16 oz. Ro-tell (a mystical blend of tomatoes and green chilies)
1 orange bell pepper, diced (fire essence)
½ sweet onion, diced (tears of a kindly sorcerer)
1 tbsp. diced jalapeño (for the brave)
2 tsp minced garlic (ward off kitchen gremlins)
½ cup reduced-fat cheddar cheese (golden treasure)
½ cup salsa (the potion that binds it all together)
2 tbsp. chopped cilantro (for a fresh +2 flavor boost)
4 tbsp. light sour cream (cool down that spice like a frost spell)
How To forge your feast (Quest Steps):
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Summon the Pasta: Boil the tri-colored rotini pasta in a cauldron of salted water, following the ancient scrolls (package directions). Drain and set aside, for it shall be the foundation of your feast.
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Prepare the Battlefield: Heat your enchanted skillet over medium flame, ready for combat. While it warms, dice the orange bell pepper, sweet onion, and cilantro—your allies in flavor. Set them aside for the coming clash.
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Engage the Ground Turkey: Add the ground turkey to the skillet, wielding your meat chopper as a mighty blade. Break apart the beast, ensuring no clumps survive. Fight until the pink is vanquished, signaling the turkey’s defeat.
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Ally with the Veggies: Call forth the diced bell pepper, onion, jalapeño, and minced garlic. Add them to the skillet, sautéing alongside the turkey. Continue the battle, stirring and sautéing until the onion becomes translucent (about 5 minutes), signaling harmony among the ingredients.
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Invoke the Sauce: Pour in the Ro-tel (2 cans, for maximum power) and sprinkle the taco seasoning. Stir to combine, then simmer for 5-7 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken into a legendary elixir.
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Unite the Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked rotini pasta to the skillet, tossing it with the sauce to bind their fates together.
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Seal the Feast: Remove the skillet from the flame. Stir in the salsa and shredded cheddar cheese, ensuring every strand of pasta is coated in glory.
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Serve and Celebrate: Divide the feast among your party, serving it in bowls or on plates. Top each portion with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of cilantro, as a tribute to the Herb Glade. Feast, and revel in your victory!
Tricks Tricks & Variations
The Warrior’s Feast: Swap turkey for beef or shredded rotisserie chicken for an extra hearty meal.
The Rogue’s Trick: Use a spicy taco seasoning and add black beans for an unexpected twist.
Wizard’s Enchantment: Mix in avocado chunks or top with crushed tortilla chips for extra crunch.
Dragon’s Fire Challenge: Swap jalapeño for habanero if you dare! (Potion of Milk recommended.)
If you missed it, swing back to my last post: Easy Creamy Spinach Ravioli– a quest to fuel your next adventure!
Taco Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 16 oz tri colored rotini pasta
- 1 package taco seasoning
- 16 oz rotel
- 1 orange bell pepper (diced)
- 1/2 sweet onion (diced)
- 1 tbsp diced jalapeno
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- 1/2 cup salsa
- 1/2 cup reduced-fat cheddar cheese
- 4 tbsp light sour cream
- 2 tbsp cilantro (chopped)
Instructions
- Cook rotini pasta according to package directions.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
- Chop the onion, bell pepper, and cilantro
- Add the ground beef to the pan and seperate with a meat chopper.
- When the pink is gone, add the bell pepper, onion, jalapeno, and garlic.
- Continue browning and seperating the meat while you sautee the veggies.
- Add the rotel and taco seasoning. Simmer until the sauce thickens.
- Stir in the cooked pasta.
- Remove from heat, and add the salsa, cheddar cheese and toss well.
- Serve with sour cream and garnish with cilantro.