Cool Ranch Dorito Pasta Salad
Cool Ranch Dorito Pasta Salad is a simple pasta salad made with taco seasoned beef, cheddar cheese, fresh veggies, and crunchy Cool Ranch Doritos!
A Fun Twist on Pasta Salad
If you’re looking for a pasta salad that always disappears fast at cookouts and potlucks, this Cool Ranch Dorito Pasta Salad is the recipe to make. I know it might sound absolutely bonkers to add Doritos to anything, but it really just works here. If you’ve ever made a taco salad with Doritos then you know how good it is! The crushed Cool Ranch Doritos add that perfect little crunch in every bite!
Frequently Asked Questions:
This pasta salad is hearty enough to serve as a meal, but it also pairs well with many things like Burgers, Hot Dogs, BBQ Chicken, pulled pork sandwiches, smoked sausage, corn on the cob, a fresh fruit salad or some baked beans.
Yes. In fact, it’s even better after chilling for at least an hour. Just wait to add the Doritos until right before serving so they stay crunchy.
Absolutely. Nacho Cheese Doritos are a popular alternative, but Spicy Nacho or Taco flavored Doritos would also be delicious. I already have a Nacho Cheese Dorito Pasta Salad recipe if you want to try that one out.
Doritos absorb moisture from the dressing over time. For the best texture, add them just before serving and keep extra chips on the side for topping leftovers.
Absolutely. Corn, black beans, jalapeños, black olives, bell peppers, and avocado all make great additions.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
For the best texture, store any extra Doritos separately and add them just before serving. As the salad sits, the chips will soften from the dressing.
Freezing is not recommended.
Ingredients Needed: (See Recipe Card Below For The Full Recipe)
- rotini pasta– The twists help hold onto the creamy dressing and toppings. Rinse pasta well under cold water so it cools completely. Shells or bow tie pasta are other great alternatives.
- ground beef– Ground turkey or ground chicken can be used instead of beef. Let the beef cool slightly before mixing so the dressing stays creamy and the cheese doesn’t melt.
- taco seasoning– Store-bought or homemade taco seasoning both work well.’
- mayonnaise
- sour cream– Adds tanginess and helps balance the flavors. Plain Greek yogurt can be substituted for sour cream if desired. I don’t think the sour cream makes this super tangy so even if you don’t like sour cream, you might enjoy it in this.
- ranch seasoning mix– Gives the dressing its ranch flavor. You can use whatever brand you prefer or your Homemade Ranch Seasoning Mix.
- red onion – don’t like onion? Just leave it out.
- cherry tomatoes– You can use another type of tomato you prefer.
- shredded cheddar cheese– Adds flavor and texture throughout. Use freshly shredded cheese for the best texture if you have it available. Pre shredded stuff in the bag will work if in a pinch. Instead of cheddar cheese, you can try a Mexican fiesta blend of cheese.
- Cool Ranch Doritos– The star ingredient that provides crunch and bold flavor. You can use regular Doritos or if Doritos aren’t your thing, just leave them out. This will still be a fantastic pasta salad.
- green onions– A fresh garnish that complements the taco flavors.
How To Make Cool Ranch Dorito Pasta Salad
Add all the pasta ingredients to a large bowl
In a large bowl, add the pasta, seasoned ground beef, tomatoes, onion and green onion, diced red onion, cherry tomatoes, and shredded cheddar cheese.
Make the dressing and add to the pasta ingredients
In a smaller bowl whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, taco seasoning and ranch seasoning mix until smooth and creamy. Pour the dressing into the large bowl and stir until evenly coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to let the flavors come together.
Add crushed Doritos to the pasta salad
Just before serving, fold in about half of the crushed Cool Ranch Doritos. Sprinkle the remaining Doritos and chopped green onions over the top before serving.
Craving More Recipes?
Cool Ranch Doritos Taco Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 12 ounce rotini pasta, cooked, drained and cooled
- 1 pound ground beef, cooked and crumbled (drain any excess grease and allow it to cool slightly)
- 1 Tablespoon taco seasoning
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 packet ranch seasoning mix
- ½ cup finely diced red onion
- 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 9.25 ounces bag Cool Ranch Doritos, lightly crushed
- 2 Tablespoons sliced green onions
Instructions
- In a large bowl, add the 12 ounce rotini pasta, cooked, drained and cooled, 1 pound ground beef, cooked and crumbled, 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, ½ cup finely diced red onion, and 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese.NOTE: You want the ground beef to be cooled slightly so it doesn't melt the cheese or change the texture of the dressing.
- In a smaller bowl whisk together the 1 cup mayonnaise, ½ cup sour cream, 1 Tablespoon taco seasoning and 1 packet ranch seasoning mix until smooth and creamy.
- Pour the dressing over the pasta ingredients in the larger bowl and stir together well.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to let the flavors come together.
- Just before serving, stir in about half of the crushed Cool Ranch Doritos.
- Sprinkle the remaining crushed Doritos and 2 Tablespoons sliced green onions on top before serving.
Notes
- Please refer to my FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions) and ingredient list above for other substitutions or for the answers to the most common questions.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
