I used to think people were “crazy coo coo” when talking about their pets…going on and on and on…until I became one of those people. Now I get it. Keely (our 8 pound Maltipoo) entered our life almost 7 years ago and has ruled the roost ever since! In a minute I’ll get to why this has ANYTHING to do with Taco Pasta Salad…for now back to Keely. Dog owners…you understand.
My Keely…how can you resist?
Having 2 boys I thought it would be a good idea to get a female dog – you know, to balance out all the guy stuff going on around here: sports, stinky socks, lots of dirty laundry, you get the picture. Little did I know that I’d be joining a special pack of dog crazy owners and be lovin’ every minute of it!
So I’m featuring our Dog Lovers Pasta today– it’s one of my favorites. The cute paw prints and dog bones are the ideal shape and bite size when cooked…so naturally they were the perfect choice for another favorite of mine, Taco Pasta Salad. Is it me or could you eat Mexican every day if you had to?! 🙂
Taco Pasta Salad has wide appeal. You just say “Taco” and people get it. Kinda like saying” BLT“. The kids will jump up and down and so will your friends. I like this recipe because you can serve it as a main dish over a bed of crisp shredded lettuce or enjoy it more like a dip with crunchy tortilla chips. Either way, be sure or use both of these ingredients! Crumble the chips on top of the salad…or mix in some lettuce when serving it as a dip!
And need I explain taco seasoning? It is a pantry staple. I recently enjoyed a corn and avocado dip that called for some taco seasoning (fajita actually) and it added just the right flavor. So I usually keep a couple packets on hand. The rest of the ingredients are as expected, just like at your favorite neighborhood Mexican restaurant. 🙂 And I know what you are thinking, Velveeta, but sometimes there is just no substitute!
So Mi Amigos, follow these three simple steps to fully enjoy the Taco Pasta Salad experience:
- Smile and enjoy our Taco Pasta.
- Hit the trails or take your dog for a walk!
- Rest and take a well-deserved siesta.
If you are interested in seeing all of our pasta shapes, you can visit The Pasta Shoppe website. And if you have any fundraising needs, please check out Fun Pasta Fundraising! We’d love to hear from you!
PrintTaco Pasta Salad
A delicious Taco Pasta Salad that will please all ages! A salad or a dip…you decide the way you want to serve it!
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 7 mins
- Total Time: 22 mins
- Yield: 8 1x
Ingredients
- 14 oz bag Dog Lovers Pasta – or any short shape
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 2 pkgs. Taco seasoning mix
- 1 15 oz. can pinto beans, drained
- 1 lb. Velveeta cheese
- 1 14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes and green chilies, mild or hot
- 1 10 oz. pkgs shredded iceberg lettuce
- 2 large tomatoes, chopped
- Toppings: Chopped green onions, sliced black olives, sliced avocados, sour cream, all optional
Instructions
- Cook beef in large skillet sauté pan over medium heat until no longer pink, stirring to crumble. Drain well. Add taco seasoning mixture, following package directions.
- Cook pasta in gently boiling water for approx. 6 minutes, until tender but firm. Drain and add to seasoned beef. Add pinto beans.
- Melt cheese and diced tomatoes and green chilies over low heat or in top of double broiler, stirring often until cheese melts. Add to beef mixture and stir carefully to combine. Reheat and serve over shredded lettuce and chopped tomatoes, or with your favorite tortilla chips.
- Add toppings as desired
Stephanie says
September 19, 2014 at 2:34 pmI don’t know what is cuter, your dog or the dog-lovers pasta!
★★★★★
carey says
September 19, 2014 at 7:10 pmYou are funny Stephanie! It is a close call! 🙂
Kathy B says
September 20, 2014 at 8:33 amOh my goodness–this sounds AMAZING! Wonder if Weezie (my 14 lb. Shih Tzu) will like it??
I tend to share most of my meals with her 🙂
carey says
September 21, 2014 at 6:34 pmFunny thought – but I wouldn’t really recommend it! Stick to your doggie treats! 🙂
cheryl c. says
September 20, 2014 at 8:45 amGreat recipe! I want to try it with the Georgia BullDOGS pasta.
carey says
September 21, 2014 at 6:35 pmMy sister is a BullDOG too – and she would agree with you!
Alice says
September 23, 2014 at 5:12 pmno dogs here, but yours is adorable, and this taco pasta salad is delish!!!! We love Mexican!
★★★★★
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
October 12, 2014 at 3:39 pmI love this taco flavoured pasta salad! I love coming across new salad recipes that are perfect for me to recreate for during the week. Thanks for sharing this one, you can definitely consider I will be recreating it!
Patti Fickes says
April 15, 2015 at 7:55 amI love The Pasta Shoppe — Hope I win!
Jennifer Hedden says
April 15, 2015 at 7:56 amThis looks so delicious! What a great meal idea! I will have to make this for sure! Thank you for sharing!
wendy sulek says
April 15, 2015 at 1:27 pmLooks delicious!!!
★★★★
Candace Galan-Calderon says
April 15, 2015 at 3:28 pmYummy, sounds delicious!
Adele Carcia says
April 15, 2015 at 5:22 pmGoing to have to try this recipe sounds yummy
Gem Aldrich says
April 15, 2015 at 9:23 pmThe Dog Lover’s Pasta is fun!
carey says
April 16, 2015 at 11:01 amThank you! We have Cat Lovers too…:) But usually one has a preference!
teena Sierson says
July 15, 2015 at 6:51 amI really think that the paw prints and bone prints are so cute and i love taco salad so it would be something the whole family would enjoy!
★★★★★
Casey B says
July 15, 2015 at 9:08 amThat sounds yummy! I like cats too:-)!
nancy fiorenza says
July 15, 2015 at 10:04 amooh that looks really good
★★★★★
rob firenza says
July 15, 2015 at 11:28 amtaco anything with pasta I am in
★★★★★
Kari Judd says
July 15, 2015 at 11:36 amDog Lover’s Pasta Looks Great for Taco Pasta Salad!
★★★★★
Nancy Maramonte says
July 15, 2015 at 11:53 amCute pasta, yummy recipe!
nicole ford says
July 15, 2015 at 12:17 pmwow this looks so good I love taco
★★★★★
sean fiorenza says
July 15, 2015 at 12:49 pmDid I hear taco and past I am in
★★★★★
Renee J. says
July 15, 2015 at 1:21 pmI LOVE TACOS + SALAD! Looks so delicious! If my baby Menudo were still here (my Chihuahua) I know he would be licking the computer screen right now!
★★★★★