Jump to Recipe
[adinserter block=”5″]
Cowboy Pasta Salad is loaded with rotini, ground beef, crispy bacon, black beans, corn, cheese, and a creamy barbecue dressing. It’s an easy make-ahead side dish that’s perfect for potlucks, backyard BBQs, family gatherings, and Labor Day.
this recipe!
Love pasta salads? Try my Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad & Greek Pasta Salad next!
Why You’ll Love This Pasta Salad
- Loaded with Hearty Ingredients – Ground beef, crispy bacon, black beans, corn, cheese, and fresh tomatoes make this pasta salad filling enough to serve as a side dish or light meal.
- Perfect for Feeding a Crowd – This recipe makes a generous batch that’s ideal for potlucks, backyard BBQs, family gatherings, and Labor Day celebrations.
- Easy to Make Ahead – Prepare it in advance and let it chill until you’re ready to serve. The flavors blend together beautifully, making it even better after a little time in the refrigerator.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 16 oz rotini pasta noodles
- 1 lb ground beef
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
- 15.25 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 15 oz can corn, drained
- 1 pt grape tomatoes, halved or quartered
- 1 cup mexican blend cheese, shredded
- 2-3 green onions, diced
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- 3 tbsp barbecue sauce
- 1 ½ tbsp worcestershire sauce
- 1 ½ tsp Sriracha sauce
Step by Step Instructions
STEP ONE – Cut the tomatoes into halves or quarters, depending on their size. Dice the green onions and set them aside.
STEP TWO – Cook the rotini according to the package directions. Drain in a colander and rinse under cold water until the pasta is cool.
STEP THREE – Add the chopped bacon to a medium skillet and cook over medium-low heat until crispy. Drain the grease and set the bacon aside.
STEP FOUR – In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat, breaking it into crumbles as it cooks, until no longer pink. Drain any excess grease.
STEP FIVE – In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, barbecue sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and sriracha until smooth.
STEP SIX – Transfer the cooled pasta to a large mixing bowl and toss with the dressing until evenly coated.
STEP SEVEN – Add the cooked ground beef, bacon, black beans, corn, tomatoes, shredded cheese, and green onions. Toss gently until everything is well combined.
STEP EIGHT – Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
STEP NINE – Garnish with additional diced green onions, if desired, and serve.
MORE SALAD IDEAS
.wp-block-kadence-postgrid
[adinserter block=”7″]
Pin Recipe
Description
Cowboy Pasta Salad is loaded with rotini, ground beef, crispy bacon, black beans, corn, cheese, and a creamy barbecue dressing. It’s an easy make-ahead side dish that’s perfect for potlucks, backyard BBQs, family gatherings, and Labor Day.
Ingredients
16 oz rotini pasta noodles
1 lb ground beef
6 slices bacon, chopped
15.25 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
15 oz can corn, drained
1 pt grape tomatoes, halved or quartered
1 cup mexican blend cheese, shredded
2–3 green onions, diced
¾ cup mayonnaise
3 tbsp barbecue sauce
1 ½ tbsp worcestershire sauce
1 ½ tsp Sriracha sauce
Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark
Instructions
- Cut the tomatoes into halves or quarters, depending on their size. Dice the green onions and set them aside.
- Cook the rotini according to the package directions. Drain in a colander and rinse under cold water until the pasta is cool.
- Add the chopped bacon to a medium skillet and cook over medium-low heat until crispy. Drain the grease and set the bacon aside.
- In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat, breaking it into crumbles as it cooks, until no longer pink. Drain any excess grease.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, barbecue sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and sriracha until smooth.
- Transfer the cooled pasta to a large mixing bowl and toss with the dressing until evenly coated.
- Add the cooked ground beef, bacon, black beans, corn, tomatoes, shredded cheese, and green onions. Toss gently until everything is well combined.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
- Garnish with additional diced green onions, if desired, and serve.
Notes
Store Cowboy Pasta Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. Give the salad a good stir before serving, as the pasta will absorb some of the dressing while it chills.
If the salad seems a little dry after storing, stir in a spoonful of mayonnaise or a splash of barbecue sauce to freshen it up. This pasta salad is not recommended for freezing, as the mayonnaise-based dressing and fresh vegetables don’t thaw well.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Chill Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Oven/Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
[adinserter block=”6″]
