Taco Pasta Salad

Put a twist on Taco Salad and make Taco Pasta Salad.

What a colorful dish! If you love Tacos you will love this Pasta Salad. Serve it with Tortilla Chips and it will be a real crowd pleaser.

This is great for a buffet or a picnic because there is no mayo in the recipe or lettuce to wilt.

So easy to prepare and great to serve to a crowd. Think about using it for a game day recipe or bring it to your next barbecue or pot luck. You can even make this a few hours ahead of time. Just refrigerate and give it a stir and you are ready to serve.

TACO PASTA SALAD

Ingredients:

• 1 Pound Ground Turkey
• 1 Package Taco Seasoning Mix
• 2/3 Cup Water
• 1 (16 oz.) Package Rotini Pasta
• 1 & 1/2 Cups Grape Tomatoes, cut in half
• 1 Cup Red Onion, diced
• 1 Cup Green Pepper, diced
• 1/2 Cup Jalapenos, diced
• 2 (2.25 oz.) Cans Sliced Black Olives, drained
• 1 (16 oz.) Bottle Catalina Dressing
• 2 Cups Mexican Cheese Blend, shredded

Directions:

1. Brown the Ground Turkey in a sauté pan then drain any fat.

2. Pour the dry Taco Seasoning Mix over the Ground Turkey and stir well, then add the water to the pan. Bring the mixture to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Set aside and allow to cool.

3. Cook the Pasta according to the package directions, then rinse in cold water in a strainer and allow the Pasta to cool.

4. In a large bowl combine the Green Pepper, Onion, Olives, Pasta, Jalapenos, Tomatoes and the Ground Turkey.

5. Carefully Fold in the Catalina Dressing and Mexican Blend Cheese.

6. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least an hour to allow all the flavors to marry.

7. Stir the Taco Pasta Salad well, just before serving.

Serve this Pasta with Tortilla Chips on the side.

Recipe by: Hot Dish Homemaker