Description
Cowboy Pasta Salad is a savory and hearty dish that combines the rich flavors of bacon, ground beef, and cheese with a zesty dressing. This crowd-pleaser is perfect for summer cookouts, game days, or as a comforting weeknight dinner. With its robust combination of ingredients—such as sweet corn and cherry tomatoes—this salad stands out at any gathering. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a versatile option that can be served warm or chilled, making it ideal for any occasion. Plus, it’s easy to customize based on your preferences, allowing you to swap ingredients and make it your own.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound dried wagon wheel pasta
- 1 pound hickory smoked bacon, diced
- 3/4 pound lean ground beef
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup barbecue sauce
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 & 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.
- Sauté bacon in a nonstick skillet until crispy; drain on paper towels.
- In the same skillet, cook ground beef with spices until no longer pink; drain fat.
- Whisk together mayonnaise and sauces in a large bowl.
- Combine cooked pasta, bacon, ground beef, corn, tomatoes, cheese, and scallions with the dressing; mix well.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 37g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 75mg