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Cowboy Pasta Salad 44.png

Cowboy Pasta Salad

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🀠 Cowboy Pasta Salad offers a hearty and satisfying mix of meats, pasta, and fresh vegetables with bold, tangy flavors.
πŸ₯— This versatile salad is perfect for meals or gatherings, delivering a delicious and filling dish ready in just 30 minutes.

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings

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:

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Notes

🍝 Any small pasta shape works well in place of wagon wheel pasta.
🌽 Fresh or grilled corn adds extra flavor, but canned corn is a convenient year-round option.
πŸ… Add cherry tomatoes just before serving to prevent them from becoming mushy if preparing ahead.

  • Author: Brandi Oshea
  • 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