Description

This Cowboy Caviar Pasta Salad is a vibrant and hearty twist on the classic cowboy caviar, combined with bowtie pasta and seasoned ground beef for a satisfying and flavorful dish. It features a smoky chipotle lime ranch dressing, charred corn, black beans, fresh vegetables, and plenty of cheddar cheese, making it perfect for potlucks, barbecues, or as a filling lunch or dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta and Meat

1 lb. bowtie pasta
1 tsp Kosher salt
1 tsp coarse ground black pepper
1 lb. 80/20 ground beef
Taco seasoning mix (amount as per packet instructions or taste)

Vegetables

1 can of corn (drained)
15 oz black beans, drained
2 cups halved or quartered cherry tomatoes
4 green onions, thinly sliced
¼ cup finely chopped cilantro

Cheese

2 cups freshly shredded cheddar cheese

Chipotle Lime Ranch Dressing

3/4 cup mayo
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
1 tsp dill
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp salt
Juice from 1 lime

Instructions

Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the bowtie pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside to cool slightly.
Brown the Ground Beef: In a skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain any excess fat and then season the beef thoroughly with taco seasoning mix. Set aside.
Char the Corn: Heat a griddle or skillet over high heat. Add the drained corn and cook, stirring occasionally, until the kernels are charred and slightly blistered. Remove from heat and let cool.
Make the Chipotle Lime Ranch Dressing: In a food processor, combine the mayo, sour cream, chicken broth, apple cider vinegar, chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, dill, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and lime juice. Blend until smooth and creamy.
Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the cooked pasta, seasoned ground beef, charred corn, black beans, cherry tomatoes, shredded cheddar cheese, cilantro, and green onions.
Toss with Dressing: Pour the chipotle lime ranch dressing over the salad ingredients. Mix thoroughly to lightly coat everything evenly with the dressing.
Chill and Serve: Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

For a vegetarian version, substitute the ground beef with seasoned grilled vegetables or plant-based protein.
You can adjust the number of chipotle peppers in the dressing to control the level of spiciness.
Using fresh lime juice in the dressing brightens the flavor and balances the smokiness of the chipotle.
This salad keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, making it suitable for meal prep.
If preferred, use Greek yogurt in place of sour cream for a lighter dressing.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Cowboy Caviar Pasta Salad, chipotle lime ranch, bowtie pasta salad, ground beef pasta salad, summer salad, Tex-Mex salad