Description
A hearty and colorful pasta salad featuring ground beef, bacon, cheddar, fresh vegetables, and a creamy BBQ dressing. Perfect for summer gatherings, potlucks, or make-ahead meals.
Ingredients
12 oz elbow macaroni or rotini, cooked al dente and cooled
1 lb ground beef
6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 red onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup sliced green onions
1 (15 oz) can corn, drained
1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
Optional: chopped pickles, jalapeños, or avocado chunks
3/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
2 tbsp BBQ sauce
1 tbsp yellow or Dijon mustard
1 tbsp pickle juice or apple cider vinegar
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to the package directions, then drain and rinse under cold water. Set aside to cool.
- Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, season with salt and pepper, drain excess grease, and let cool.
- Cook the bacon until crispy and crumble or chop it.
- Whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, BBQ sauce, mustard, pickle juice, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine pasta, ground beef, bacon, corn, black beans, cherry tomatoes, red onion, green onions, and cheddar cheese.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and mix until well coated.
- Chill the salad for at least 1 hour before serving for best flavor.
- Garnish with extra green onions, cheese, or a drizzle of BBQ sauce if desired.
Notes
Can swap ground beef for grilled chicken or shredded BBQ pork.
Ranch dressing or chipotle mayo can be used for a flavor twist.
Add pickled jalapeños or hot sauce for spiciness.
Avocado chunks add creaminess.
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3–4 days; do not freeze.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg