Cowboy Pasta Salad 

Cowboy Pasta Salad is a hearty and flavorful dish that brings together the bold tastes of the Southwest in a refreshing pasta salad. Packed with protein-rich ground beef, crispy bacon, sweet corn, black beans, and cherry tomatoes, all tossed in a creamy barbecue mayo dressing, this salad is perfect for potlucks, barbecues, or a satisfying main meal. Its smoky, spicy, and tangy flavors are sure to please a crowd.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Salad:

• 1 pound dried wagon wheel pasta (or any small pasta like rotini or elbow)

• 1 pound hickory smoked bacon, diced

• ¾ pound lean ground beef

• 1 teaspoon ground cumin

• Pinch of red pepper flakes

• Salt and pepper, to taste

• 1 cup mayonnaise

• ¼ cup barbecue sauce

• 2 tablespoons spicy brown mustard

• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

• 2½ teaspoons hot chili sauce

• 1 (15-ounce) can whole kernel sweet corn, drained

• 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved

• 1½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

• 5 scallions, diced

Directions

1. Cook the Pasta:

   • Bring a large pot of water to a boil.

   • Cook the pasta until al dente according to package directions.

   • Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process.

   • Drizzle with a little olive oil to prevent sticking.

2. Prepare the Bacon:

   • In a large nonstick skillet, sauté the diced bacon over medium heat until crispy.

   • Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease.

3. Cook the Ground Beef:

   • In the same skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat, breaking it up into small crumbles, until browned and cooked through.

   • Season with cumin, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.

   • Drain any excess fat and set aside to cool.

4. Prepare the Dressing:

   • In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, barbecue sauce, spicy brown mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and hot chili sauce until smooth and well combined.

5. Assemble the Salad:

   • Add the cooked pasta, bacon, ground beef, corn, cherry tomatoes, cheddar cheese, and scallions to the bowl with the dressing.

   • Toss gently to combine, ensuring all ingredients are evenly coated.

6. Serve:

   • Serve immediately at room temperature or refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving to allow flavors to meld.

Nutrition (per serving)

• Calories: 575 kcal

• Carbohydrates: 40 g

• Protein: 21 g

• Fat: 36 g

• Saturated Fat: 11 g

• Cholesterol: 65 mg

• Sodium: 612 mg

• Potassium: 463 mg

• Fiber: 2 g

• Sugar: 6 g

• Vitamin A: 450 IU

• Vitamin C: 9 mg

• Calcium: 131 mg

• Iron: 2.2 mg