Description
Cowboy Pasta is a hearty and flavorful dish combining rotini pasta with savory ground beef, crispy bacon, and a creamy, tangy dressing made from mayonnaise, barbecue sauce, and hot sauce. Enhanced with cheddar cheese, fresh cherry tomatoes, green onions, and cilantro, this dish is perfect for a filling meal that brings bold, southwestern flavors to your table.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Meat
- 12 oz rotini pasta
- 1 lb ground beef
- 8 oz bacon, chopped
Dressing and Seasonings
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
- 1/4 cup hot sauce (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Vegetables and Cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup sliced green onions
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside to cool slightly.
- Cook Bacon: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until it is crispy. Use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon and place it on paper towels to drain excess fat.
- Brown Ground Beef: In the same skillet with some bacon fat, add the ground beef. Cook over medium-high heat, breaking it apart with a spatula, until fully browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat and set aside.
- Prepare Dressing: In a large mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, barbecue sauce, hot sauce, chili powder, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and uniformly blended.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the cooked rotini pasta, browned ground beef, crispy bacon, shredded cheddar cheese, cherry tomatoes, sliced green onions, and chopped cilantro into the bowl with the dressing.
- Toss and Season: Gently toss all ingredients together until everything is well coated with the dressing and evenly mixed. Season with salt and pepper to your preference.
- Serve or Chill: Serve the Cowboy Pasta immediately for the freshest taste, or refrigerate for a few hours to allow the flavors to meld and develop further before serving.
Notes
- You can adjust the amount of hot sauce based on your preferred spice level.
- For a lighter version, substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt or a low-fat alternative.
- This dish can be served cold as a pasta salad or warm right after mixing.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Adding a squeeze of lime juice before serving can enhance the freshness and flavor.
