Cowboy Bacon Pasta Salad Recipe
Cowboy Bacon Pasta Salad is a hearty and flavorful dish combining al dente bowtie pasta, seasoned ground beef, crispy bacon, fresh vegetables, and a smoky BBQ mayo dressing, perfect for picnics, barbecues, or casual gatherings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Meat
- 1 (12-ounce) box bowtie pasta
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup cooked and crumbled bacon
Vegetables and Cheese
- 1 cup halved grape tomatoes (or cherry tomatoes)
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can corn, drained
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 8 ounces cubed cheddar cheese
- 1 large diced red bell pepper
- 1 bunch chopped green onion
- 1 diced jalapeno
- Chopped cilantro for garnish
Dressing
- 1¼ cups mayonnaise
- ½ cup BBQ sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook 1 (12-ounce) box of bowtie pasta until al dente according to the package instructions. Drain well and set aside.
- Brown Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook 1 pound lean ground beef until browned and cooked through, approximately 7-10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Drain any excess fat.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large serving bowl, toss together the cooked pasta, browned ground beef, 1 cup cooked and crumbled bacon, 1 cup halved grape tomatoes, 1 can (14.5 ounces) drained corn, 1 can (14.5 ounces) drained and rinsed black beans, 8 ounces cubed cheddar cheese, 1 large diced red bell pepper, 1 bunch chopped green onions, and 1 diced jalapeno.
- Prepare Dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1¼ cups mayonnaise, ½ cup BBQ sauce, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon chili powder, and 1 teaspoon ground cumin until smooth and well combined.
- Toss Salad and Serve: Pour the dressing over the combined salad ingredients and toss gently until everything is evenly coated. Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve immediately. If not serving right away, keep the dressing separate and add just before serving to maintain freshness.
Notes
- For best texture, cook pasta just until al dente to avoid mushiness when mixed with dressing.
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken to lighten the dish.
- Adjust the jalapeno amount to control the heat level.
- If preparing ahead, keep the salad and dressing separate and mix just before serving to prevent sogginess.
- Use low-fat mayonnaise or Greek yogurt for a lighter dressing option.
Keywords: Cowboy Bacon Pasta Salad, bacon pasta salad, BBQ pasta salad, ground beef pasta salad, picnic salad, summer salad, pasta salad recipe
Find it online: https://nataliereeve.com/cowboy-bacon-pasta-salad-recipe/
