Description
Cowboy Pasta Salad is a hearty and flavorful dish that brings together the savory goodness of turkey bacon, ground beef, and cheese with a zesty kick from hot sauce. This crowd-pleaser is perfect for summer barbecues, game days, or an easy weeknight dinner. With its rich flavors and creamy dressing, it’s sure to impress your family and friends. Plus, it’s versatile enough to customize with your favorite vegetables or proteins, making it a fantastic option for meal prep or gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound dried wagon wheel pasta
- 1 pound diced hickory smoked turkey bacon
- 3/4 pound lean ground beef
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup barbecue sauce
- 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes
- 15-ounce can drained sweet corn
- 1 & 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- Spices: cumin, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper
Instructions
- Cook pasta in boiling salted water until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.
- In a large skillet, sauté turkey bacon over medium heat until crispy. Drain on paper towels.
- In the same skillet, cook ground beef until browned; season with cumin, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
- Whisk together mayonnaise, barbecue sauce, and hot sauce in a large mixing bowl.
- Combine cooked pasta, turkey bacon, ground beef, corn, tomatoes, cheese, and scallions with the dressing; toss well.
- Serve immediately at room temperature or refrigerate for flavors to meld.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 50mg