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Crunchy Taco Pasta Salad Recipe Easy Homemade with Avocado and Doritos

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A crunchy, creamy, tangy pasta salad featuring taco-seasoned pasta, creamy avocado, zesty Catalina dressing, and crunchy Doritos Catalina chips. Perfect for potlucks, quick lunches, or picnics.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz (225g) pasta (rotini or bowtie)
  • 1 ripe avocado, diced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained (optional)
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup Catalina dressing
  • 2 tablespoons sour cream or Greek yogurt
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • 1 cup Doritos Catalina chips, crushed

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 oz (225g) of pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain well and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta down. Set aside to drain completely.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Add the cooled pasta and toss gently to coat evenly with the taco seasoning. If the seasoning feels dry, drizzle a teaspoon of olive oil to help it stick.
  3. In a small bowl or jar, whisk together 1/2 cup Catalina dressing, 2 tablespoons sour cream or Greek yogurt, and the juice of 1 lime until smooth. Taste and adjust lime or seasoning as needed.
  4. Add diced avocado, halved cherry tomatoes, chopped red onion, rinsed black beans, and chopped cilantro to the seasoned pasta. Pour the dressing over and toss gently but thoroughly to combine all flavors without mashing the avocado.
  5. Just before serving, crush 1 cup of Doritos Catalina chips into bite-sized pieces and sprinkle over the salad.

Notes

Add Doritos just before serving to maintain crunch. Use lime juice in dressing to prevent avocado browning. For dairy-free, substitute sour cream with dairy-free yogurt or extra avocado. Can substitute black beans with corn or bell peppers. Use gluten-free pasta and certified gluten-free Doritos for gluten-free version.

Nutrition

Keywords: taco pasta salad, avocado pasta salad, Doritos salad, Catalina dressing, quick pasta salad, potluck salad, crunchy pasta salad

Find it online: https://tessierecipes.com/crunchy-taco-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-homemade-with-avocado-and-doritos/