Cowboy Pasta Salad is a meal in a bowl with ground beef, bacon, cheddar cheese, and a smoky salsa verde dressing. You definitely won’t walk away hungry.
Cook 1 pound rotini pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water until pasta is cooled. Once cooled transfer to a large mixing bowl.
Cook 1 pound ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin. Use a spatula to break up the meat and continue to cook until meat is thoroughly brown and no longer pink, about 7 to 10 minutes. Drain any excess grease. Transfer to a bowl and chill.
Halve 8 ounces cherry or grape tomatoes, cube 8 ounces cheddar cheese, dice 1/2 red onion, slice 1 jalapeno crumble the bacon, and open the cans of black beans and corn and drain. Add everything to the mixing bowl with the pasta.
Dressing
In a blender add 16 ounces salsa verde, 1 cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon lime juice, 1 tablespoon smoked paprika, 1 tablespoon granulated garlic, 1 tablespoon ground cumin, 1 tablespoon onion powder, 2 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon chili powder, and 1 teaspoon black pepper. Blend until smooth.
Pour dressing over pasta salad and stir until everything is well coated. Serve right away or cover and keep refrigerated until ready to serve.