Taco Pasta Salad Avocado (Printable Version)

A colorful pasta dish with taco-inspired flavors, crunchy Doritos, and smooth avocado ranch dressing.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz rotini or fusilli pasta

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
03 - 1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
04 - 1 cup sweet corn kernels, fresh or canned
05 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
06 - 1/2 red onion, finely chopped
07 - 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
08 - 2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped

→ Toppings

09 - 2 cups Nacho Cheese Doritos, coarsely crushed
10 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
11 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

→ Avocado Ranch Dressing

12 - 1 ripe avocado, peeled and pitted
13 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise
14 - 1/4 cup sour cream
15 - 1/4 cup buttermilk
16 - 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
17 - 1 garlic clove, minced
18 - 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
19 - 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
20 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
21 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
22 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

# How to Prepare:

01 - Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water until completely cooled.
02 - In a large salad bowl, combine cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, black beans, corn, bell pepper, red onion, black olives, and romaine lettuce.
03 - In a blender or food processor, combine avocado, mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, lime juice, garlic, dill, parsley, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
04 - Pour avocado ranch dressing over the salad mixture and toss gently until all ingredients are evenly coated.
05 - Add shredded cheddar cheese and fresh cilantro to the salad. Toss gently to distribute evenly.
06 - Immediately before serving, sprinkle crushed Doritos over the top to maintain crunchiness. Serve right away.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The Doritos stay crunch and don't get soggy if you time it right, which is honestly the whole game here.
  • You can prep everything hours ahead and dress it right before people arrive, making you look way more organized than you actually are.
  • It tastes like indulgence but has actual vegetables in it, so you don't feel guilty eating thirds.
02 -
  • Don't add the Doritos until the absolute last second or they'll turn into sad, soggy crumbs that taste like regret instead of victory.
  • The lime juice in the avocado dressing is non-negotiable because it keeps the avocado from oxidizing brown and adds brightness that nothing else can replicate.
03 -
  • Make the dressing and chop vegetables the morning of, then assemble everything right before serving so you're not stressed when people arrive.
  • Keep extra Doritos on the side so people can add more crunch if they want it—some people are chip enthusiasts and shouldn't be denied.
Return