Bold flavors blend pasta, ground beef, cheeses, tomatoes, and Doritos in Catalina dressing for a crowd-pleasing dish.
Preparation Time
20 min
Cooking Time
15 min
Overall Time
35 min
Category: Snacks
Skill Level: Moderate
Cuisine Type: American
Output: 10 Serves
Dietary Options: ~
Ingredients
16 ounces rotini pasta
1 pound ground beef
1 ounce taco seasoning
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 cup Catalina dressing
2 cups nacho cheese Doritos, crushed
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Steps
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to the package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta in a colander and rinse it thoroughly under cold running water to stop the cooking process and cool the noodles completely.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until completely browned, breaking it up as it cooks for about 6 to 8 minutes. Drain any excess grease from the skillet.
Return the skillet to the stove over medium-low heat. Sprinkle the taco seasoning packet over the meat and add the amount of water specified on the seasoning packet. Simmer for 3 to 5 minutes until the liquid reduces. Remove the skillet from heat and let the beef cool completely.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled rotini pasta, cooled taco ground beef, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced green onions, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, and shredded Monterey Jack cheese.
Pour the Catalina dressing over the pasta mixture and toss all the ingredients together with a large spoon until everything is evenly coated.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid. Place it in the refrigerator to chill for at least 4 hours, allowing the flavors to meld together before serving.
Just before serving the salad, gently fold in the crushed nacho cheese Doritos. Top with the chopped fresh cilantro. Serve and enjoy!
Tips
- For optimal flavor, serve the salad immediately after adding the Doritos to maintain their crunch.
Required Tools
- Large pot
- Colander
- Large skillet
- Large mixing bowl
- Large spoon
- Plastic wrap or lid