Ingredients
– 1 pound dried wagon wheel pasta (or any small pasta)
– 1 pound hickory smoked bacon, diced
– 3/4 pound lean ground beef (can be swapped for Italian sausage)
– 1 teaspoon cumin
– Pinch of red pepper flakes
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 1 cup mayonnaise
– 1/4 cup barbecue sauce
– 2 tablespoons spicy brown mustard
– 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
– 2 and 1/2 teaspoons hot chili sauce
– 15-ounce can whole kernel sweet corn, drained (fresh or grilled corn can be used; chickpeas or black beans are good substitutions or additions)
– 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
– 1 and 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
– 5 scallions, diced
Instructions
1-Bring a large pot of water to a boil; cook 1 pound of dried wagon wheel pasta until al dente according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water, then drizzle with a little olive oil to prevent sticking.
2-In a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, saute 1 pound of diced hickory smoked bacon until crispy. Transfer bacon with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain grease.
3-Wipe out skillet retaining a small amount of bacon grease. Add 3/4 pound of lean ground beef and cook while breaking into small crumbles until fully cooked and no longer pink. Season with 1 teaspoon cumin, a pinch of red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper to taste. Drain fat and let beef cool completely.
4-In a very large bowl, whisk together 1 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup barbecue sauce, 2 tablespoons spicy brown mustard, 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, and 2 and 1/2 teaspoons hot chili sauce until smooth.
5-Add the cooked pasta, bacon, ground beef, drained 15-ounce can of whole kernel sweet corn, 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes, 1 and 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, and 5 diced scallions to the bowl with the dressing. Toss to combine and coat all ingredients evenly.
6-Serve the salad immediately at room temperature or enjoy leftovers the next day.
Last Step:
Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.Notes
π Any small pasta shape works well in place of wagon wheel pasta.
π½ Fresh or grilled corn adds extra flavor, but canned corn is a convenient year-round option.
π
Add cherry tomatoes just before serving to prevent them from becoming mushy if preparing ahead.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad, Main Dish
- Method: Boiling, SautΓ©ing, Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 575
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 612 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 21 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
