Cowboy Pasta Salad

Cowboy Pasta Salad stole the show at our last neighborhood block party. I needed a dish that could feed a hungry crowd without keeping me stuck in a hot kitchen all day. This recipe combines the best parts of a burger with the ease of a cold salad.

You get savory ground beef, crispy bacon bits, and sweet corn in every single bite. A creamy, tangy barbecue dressing coats the pasta shells perfectly. Unlike flimsy vegetable salads, this one actually fills you up. My friends request this recipe constantly because it packs so much flavor. You will love how the spices meld together after just an hour in the fridge.

Why You’ll Love This Cowboy Pasta Salad

This isn’t just another pasta salad, folks. It’s the kind of dish that makes people ask for the recipe before they’ve even finished their first helping. Here’s why it’s a total winner:

• Bold, hearty flavors that actually satisfy, no sad, soggy pasta here. Between the smoky bacon, seasoned beef, and tangy barbecue dressing, every bite packs a punch.
• Effortless prep, if you can boil pasta and brown meat, you’re golden. The hardest part is waiting those 2 hours for the flavors to mingle (but oh, it’s worth it).
• Crowd-pleasing magic, I’ve lost count of how many potlucks and BBQs this has stolen the show at. Even picky eaters go back for seconds.
• Better the next day, if by some miracle you have leftovers, they taste even more amazing after the flavors party overnight in the fridge.

Ingredients for Cowboy Pasta Salad

Gather these simple ingredients and let the flavor fiesta begin! I always use the full pound of bacon (because let’s be real, who measures bacon with restraint?) and lean ground beef to keep things hearty without being greasy.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 box (16 oz) bow tie pasta, the little ruffles hold onto that delicious dressing like nobody’s business
• 1 pound lean ground beef, I use 85/15 for the perfect balance
• 1 pound bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled, save that bacon grease for another recipe!
• 1 packet (1 oz) taco seasoning, the secret flavor booster (I use mild but go spicy if you dare)
• 1 can (15 oz) corn, drained well, or fresh grilled corn cut off the cob in summer
• 1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained, gives that awesome protein boost
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced in half, they burst with freshness in every bite
• 1/2 cup scallions, chopped, both white and green parts for oniony goodness
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, because everything’s better with cheese
• 1 cup mayonnaise, the creamy base of our dressing
• 1/4 cup barbecue sauce, your favorite brand works great
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, that umami kick you can’t quite place

How to Make Cowboy Pasta Salad

Okay, let’s get down to business! This cowboy pasta salad comes together faster than you can say “yeehaw,” but I’ll walk you through each step to make sure it turns out perfect every time. Just promise me you won’t skip the chilling time, okay? That’s when the magic really happens.

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

First things first, grab your biggest pot and fill it with water (I like to go heavy on the salt, about 1 tablespoon for the pot). Bring it to a rolling boil, then add your bow tie pasta.

Now here’s the key: Cook it just until al dente, about 1 minute less than the package says. You want those little ruffles to still have some bite, not turn to mush. Drain it immediately and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking. Shake the colander well to get rid of excess water. You don’t want a watery salad!

Step 2: Brown the Ground Beef

While the pasta cooks, heat up a large skillet over medium-high heat. Crumble in your ground beef and let it get nice and brown, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Once there’s no pink left, drain off that excess fat (I tilt the pan and use a spoon to scoop it out).

Sprinkle in your taco seasoning packet and give it all a good stir. If it looks a bit dry, add a tablespoon or two of water to help the spices really coat the beef. Let it simmer for about 2 minutes, then take it off the heat.

Step 3: Prepare the Dressing

Time for the secret sauce! In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, barbecue sauce, and Worcestershire sauce until it’s completely smooth. I like to taste it at this point and adjust if needed.

Sometimes, I’ll add an extra teaspoon of barbecue sauce if I want more tang. This dressing is what makes the whole salad come together, so don’t skip it!

Step 4: Combine Everything

Now for the fun part! In your largest mixing bowl (I mean it, go big or go home), combine the cooled pasta, seasoned beef, crumbled bacon, corn, black beans, tomatoes, scallions, and cheese. Pour that glorious dressing over everything.

Here’s where you need to be gentle: Use a big rubber spatula or salad tongs to fold everything together until every single ingredient is coated in that creamy dressing. Don’t go crazy mixing it, or you’ll break up all those pretty ingredients.

Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and pop it in the fridge for at least 2 hours. I know, waiting is hard, but trust me, this is when the flavors really get to know each other. The pasta soaks up the dressing, the cheese gets melty, and it all transforms into something magical. If you can resist, overnight is even better!

Tips for the Best Cowboy Pasta Salad

After making this salad more times than I can count (and fielding all the recipe requests), I’ve picked up some tricks that take it from good to “can I have the recipe?” good. Here are my can’t-skip tips:

• Don’t rush the chill time: I know it’s tempting to dig in right away, but those 2 hours in the fridge let the pasta soak up all that dressing goodness. Overnight? Even better!
• Go fresh with the add-ins: Swap canned corn for fresh grilled corn in summer, or use grape tomatoes instead of cherries when they’re in season. The flavor pops!
• Drain everything well: Take the extra minute to pat dry your rinsed beans and corn. Nobody wants a watery salad.
• Mix gently: Use salad tongs or a big rubber spatula to fold everything together. You want to keep those pretty ingredients intact, not smash them into mush.

Serving Suggestions for Cowboy Pasta Salad

This salad was born to be the star of your picnic table! I love serving it alongside smoky grilled chicken or juicy burgers, with a basket of warm garlic bread to soak up any extra dressing. It’s also hearty enough to stand alone as a main dish just add some cornbread muffins and call it dinner. Trust me, no matter how you serve it, that bowl will be scraped clean!

Storage & Reheating Instructions

Here’s the good news: This cowboy pasta salad actually gets better as it sits! Just pop any leftovers in an airtight container (I use my trusty glass bowls with the snap-on lids) and they’ll keep happily in the fridge for up to 3 days.

No reheating needed, though I sometimes let it sit on the counter for 10 minutes to take the chill off before serving again.

Pro tip: Give it a quick stir before digging back in to redistribute all those delicious flavors.

Nutritional Information

Just so you know, these numbers are estimates since ingredients can vary (like how crispy you cook that bacon!). Per serving, you’re looking at about 450 calories, 20g of protein to keep you full, and 5g of fiber from all those good beans and veggies.

It’s got 25g of fat (hey, we never said this was diet food!), with 800mg of sodium from all that flavorful seasoning. Store-bought dressings or extra cheese will change things, but that’s part of the fun, right?

Cowboy Pasta Salad FAQs

Hearty Southwest-Style Salads

If you loved the bold, tangy flavors of Cowboy Pasta Salad, these hearty salads and sides are perfect for your next BBQ or potluck.

• Taco Salad: A classic salad loaded with seasoned beef, cheese, and crunchy tortilla chips.​
• Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad: Creamy pasta salad packed with smoky bacon and zesty ranch flavor.​
• Dill Pickle Pasta Salad: A tangy twist on pasta salad for pickle lovers.​
• Greek Orzo Salad: Light and refreshing pasta salad with Mediterranean flavors.​

Serve these crowd-pleasing dishes next to keep the flavor exciting!

The Ultimate Potluck Side Dish

Cowboy Pasta Salad brings the best barbecue flavors into one easy bowl. This dish combines hearty ground beef, crispy bacon, and fresh veggies for a meal that actually fills you up. You will love how the tangy dressing ties everything together perfectly. It wins every potluck because it offers so much more than standard, boring pasta salads.

Make a big batch for your next gathering. Please leave a comment below to tell me if it vanished as fast as mine did. Also, follow me on Facebook for more winning recipes.

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