Cowboy Bacon Pasta Salad Recipe
Cowboy Bacon Pasta Salad is a hearty and flavorful dish combining tender bowtie pasta, seasoned ground beef, crispy bacon, fresh vegetables, and a smoky BBQ mayonnaise dressing. Perfect for potlucks, barbecues, or a satisfying meal, this salad balances savory, spicy, and fresh elements in every bite.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 to 8 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Meat
- 1 (12-ounce) box bowtie pasta
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup cooked and crumbled bacon
Vegetables and Cheese
- 1 cup halved grape tomatoes (or cherry tomatoes)
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can corn (drained)
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can black beans (drained and rinsed)
- 8 ounces cubed cheddar cheese
- 1 large diced red bell pepper
- 1 bunch chopped green onion
- 1 diced jalapeno
- chopped cilantro (for garnish)
Dressing
- 1¼ cups mayonnaise
- ½ cup BBQ sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook the bowtie pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta well and set aside to cool slightly.
- Prepare Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook and brown the lean ground beef for about 7 to 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste, ensuring the beef is thoroughly cooked. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large serving bowl, combine the cooked pasta, browned ground beef, cooked and crumbled bacon, halved grape tomatoes, drained corn, drained and rinsed black beans, cubed cheddar cheese, diced red bell pepper, chopped green onion, and diced jalapeno.
- Make Dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, BBQ sauce, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, and ground cumin until the dressing is smooth and well combined.
- Toss Salad: Pour the dressing over the combined pasta salad ingredients and toss thoroughly to coat all ingredients evenly with the dressing.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish the salad with chopped cilantro. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture. If not serving right away, keep the dressing separate and add it just before serving to maintain freshness.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, add more diced jalapeno or sprinkle some cayenne pepper into the dressing.
- Bacon can be cooked ahead of time and stored in the fridge for convenience.
- This salad can be made a few hours ahead by preparing all components separately and tossing with dressing just before serving.
- Use gluten-free pasta if you require a gluten-free diet.
- Adjust seasoning and ingredients according to your taste preferences.
Keywords: bacon pasta salad, cowboy pasta salad, bowtie pasta salad, ground beef pasta salad, BBQ pasta salad, summer salad, picnic dish, easy pasta salad
Find it online: https://cookedbycleo.com/cowboy-bacon-pasta-salad-recipe/
