The Pasta Shoppe

Delicious pasta recipes and fun pasta ideas

  • About
  • Pasta FAQ’s
  • Recipes
    • Healthy or Gluten Free
    • Holiday Entertaining
    • Lasagna & Casseroles
    • Mac ‘n Cheese Please!
    • Meat & Poultry
    • Misc. Fun!
    • Pasta Salads
    • Pesto & Sauces
    • Seafood Lovers
    • Tips & Gadgets
    • Veggie Delish
  • Fundraising
  • Contact Us
  • Shop
Home / Blog / Taco Pasta Salad

Taco Pasta Salad

September 19, 2014 by carey 24 Comments

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

 

Taco Pasta Salad | WorldofPastabilities.com

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.

Keely Dog Picture | WorldofPastabilities.com

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-2 | WorldofPastabilities.com

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!

Taco Pasta Salad-3 | WorldofPastabilities.com

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:

  1. Smile and enjoy our Taco Pasta.
  2. Hit the trails or take your dog for a walk!
  3. 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!

Print

Taco Pasta Salad

Taco Pasta Salad | WorldofPastabilities.com

★★★★★

4.9 from 10 reviews

A delicious Taco Pasta Salad that will please all ages! A salad or a dip…you decide the way you want to serve it!

  • Author: Carey | WorldofPastabilities.com
  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 7 mins
  • Total Time: 22 mins
  • Yield: 8 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 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

  1. 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.
  2. Cook pasta in gently boiling water for approx. 6 minutes, until tender but firm. Drain and add to seasoned beef. Add pinto beans.
  3. 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.
  4. Add toppings as desired

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @worldofpastabilities on Instagram and hashtag it #worldofpastabilities

 

Enter your name and email and get weekly recipes in your inbox... it's FREE!
Let's be Pasta Recipe Pals!
Your information will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party.

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Email
  • Print

Related Recipes

  • Tuna Salad with Green Beans | WorldofPastabilities.com
    Tuna Pasta Salad with Green Beans

    Tuna Pasta Salad with Green Beans. Not convinced by the recipe title? I promise it…

  • BLT Pasta Salad | WorldofPastabilities.com
    BLT Pasta Salad

    It is true. I love bacon. My family loves bacon. We are bacon obsessed. Applewood,…

  • Creamy Oriental Pasta Salad | WorldofPastabilities.com
    Creamy Oriental Pasta Salad

      I’m a California girl. I was born in Los Angeles with a head full…

Filed Under: Blog, Meat & Poultry

« Collegiate Tailgate Pasta Salads
Tuna Pasta Salad with Green Beans »

Comments

  1. Stephanie says

    September 19, 2014 at 2:34 pm

    I don’t know what is cuter, your dog or the dog-lovers pasta!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • carey says

      September 19, 2014 at 7:10 pm

      You are funny Stephanie! It is a close call! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Kathy B says

    September 20, 2014 at 8:33 am

    Oh 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 🙂

    Reply
    • carey says

      September 21, 2014 at 6:34 pm

      Funny thought – but I wouldn’t really recommend it! Stick to your doggie treats! 🙂

      Reply
  3. cheryl c. says

    September 20, 2014 at 8:45 am

    Great recipe! I want to try it with the Georgia BullDOGS pasta.

    Reply
    • carey says

      September 21, 2014 at 6:35 pm

      My sister is a BullDOG too – and she would agree with you!

      Reply
  4. Alice says

    September 23, 2014 at 5:12 pm

    no dogs here, but yours is adorable, and this taco pasta salad is delish!!!! We love Mexican!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  5. Thalia @ butter and brioche says

    October 12, 2014 at 3:39 pm

    I 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!

    Reply
  6. Patti Fickes says

    April 15, 2015 at 7:55 am

    I love The Pasta Shoppe — Hope I win!

    Reply
  7. Jennifer Hedden says

    April 15, 2015 at 7:56 am

    This looks so delicious! What a great meal idea! I will have to make this for sure! Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
  8. wendy sulek says

    April 15, 2015 at 1:27 pm

    Looks delicious!!!

    ★★★★

    Reply
  9. Candace Galan-Calderon says

    April 15, 2015 at 3:28 pm

    Yummy, sounds delicious!

    Reply
  10. Adele Carcia says

    April 15, 2015 at 5:22 pm

    Going to have to try this recipe sounds yummy

    Reply
  11. Gem Aldrich says

    April 15, 2015 at 9:23 pm

    The Dog Lover’s Pasta is fun!

    Reply
    • carey says

      April 16, 2015 at 11:01 am

      Thank you! We have Cat Lovers too…:) But usually one has a preference!

      Reply
  12. teena Sierson says

    July 15, 2015 at 6:51 am

    I 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!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  13. Casey B says

    July 15, 2015 at 9:08 am

    That sounds yummy! I like cats too:-)!

    Reply
  14. nancy fiorenza says

    July 15, 2015 at 10:04 am

    ooh that looks really good

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  15. rob firenza says

    July 15, 2015 at 11:28 am

    taco anything with pasta I am in

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  16. Kari Judd says

    July 15, 2015 at 11:36 am

    Dog Lover’s Pasta Looks Great for Taco Pasta Salad!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  17. Nancy Maramonte says

    July 15, 2015 at 11:53 am

    Cute pasta, yummy recipe!

    Reply
  18. nicole ford says

    July 15, 2015 at 12:17 pm

    wow this looks so good I love taco

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  19. sean fiorenza says

    July 15, 2015 at 12:49 pm

    Did I hear taco and past I am in

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  20. Renee J. says

    July 15, 2015 at 1:21 pm

    I 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!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You have to agree to the comment policy.

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

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Sign Up for Free Recipes!

Join our email list for fresh pasta recipes delivered to you every week!

Video

Featured Products

  • Organic Dinosaur Mac and Cheese with dino pasta shapes

    Pastabilities® Organic Dinosaur Mac ‘n Cheese

    $4.99
    Add to cart
  • Tailgate and Celebrate Pasta Bag with pasta pieces

    Tailgate and Celebrate® Pasta

    $5.50
    Add to cart
  • Halloween Pasta Bag with pasta pieces

    Halloween Pasta

    $5.50
    Add to cart
See More Products ›

Featured Recipes

Vegan Alfredo

Vegan Cauliflower Alfredo

Pasta with Spicy Sausage and Tomato Cream Sauce with Pasta Bag

Pasta with Spicy Sausage and Tomato Cream Sauce

Collage of 5 Heart Recipes to Make and Share

5 Heart Recipes to Make and Share

Greek Pasta Bowl tight shot with diced cucumbers

Greek Pasta Bowl with Tuna & Chickpeas

Pasta Shoppe Advertisment

Browse

  • Pasta Salads
  • Pesto & Sauces
  • Seafood Lovers
  • Veggie Delish
  • Healthy or Gluten Free
  • Lasagna & Casseroles
  • Holiday Entertaining
  • Meat & Poultry
  • Misc. Fun!

Archives

Fun Pasta Fundraising

Let’s Keep In Touch!

Join our email list for a first look at new products, sales, recipes, and exclusive offers!

Stay Connected

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Explore

  • Home
  • Our Story
  • Recipes
  • Our Guarantee
  • Shipping
  • Nutritional & Kosher
  • Wholesale
  • Fundraising
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Contact Us

Shop

  • Pastabilities® Fun Shapes
  • Pastabilities® Everyday Gourmet
  • Holidays
  • Great Gifts

The Pasta Shoppe

We are a "boutique" pasta manufacturer of fun shapes, healthy grains, and organic pasta. Look around & you'll find lots of innovative and delicious goodies to enjoy...and delicious pasta recipes too! The World is Full of Pastabilities!

© 2021 The Pasta Shoppe LLC. All Rights Reserved.

© 2021 The Pasta Shoppe. All rights reserved. Web design by Shay Bocks

Enter your name and email and get weekly recipes in your inbox... it's FREE!
Let's be Pasta Recipe Pals!
Your information will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party.
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.