Description
Cowboy Pasta Salad is the ultimate crowd-pleaser, blending the rich flavors of bacon, ground beef, and cheese into a hearty dish that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re hosting a summer barbecue, preparing for game day, or looking for an easy weeknight dinner, this pasta salad delivers satisfaction in every bite. With its quick prep time of just 30 minutes and customizable ingredients, you can tailor it to your taste preferences. Plus, it’s great for leftovers—allowing the flavors to meld beautifully overnight. Enjoy this savory dish as a main course or a side that everyone will rave about!
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 in a large pot according to package directions until al dente; drain and rinse with cold water. Drizzle with olive oil.
- In a nonstick skillet, sauté bacon until crispy; set aside to drain.
- In the same skillet, cook ground beef until browned; season with cumin and red pepper flakes.
- In a large bowl, mix mayonnaise, barbecue sauce, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and hot chili sauce. Add pasta, bacon, beef, corn, tomatoes, cheese, and scallions; toss to combine.
- Serve immediately or chill for an hour before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 16g
- Cholesterol: 55mg