Taco Pasta Salad Doritos Avocado (Printable Version)

Tex-Mex pasta salad with crunchy Doritos, fresh veggies, and creamy avocado ranch dressing.

# What You 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 thawed
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 Steps:

01 - Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water until completely cooled.
02 - Transfer cooled pasta to a large mixing bowl. Add cherry tomatoes, black beans, corn, bell pepper, red onion, black olives, and romaine lettuce. Gently combine.
03 - In a blender or food processor, combine avocado, mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, lime juice, minced garlic, dill, parsley, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning as needed.
04 - Pour avocado ranch dressing over the pasta mixture. Toss gently to distribute dressing evenly.
05 - Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese and fresh cilantro over the salad. Toss again gently.
06 - Just before serving, top with crushed Doritos to maintain optimal crunch. Serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Ready in just 30 minutes with simple prep and minimal cooking
  • Packed with colorful vegetables, black beans, and corn for texture and nutrition
  • The creamy avocado ranch dressing is made from scratch and tastes incredible
  • Crunchy Doritos add an unexpected twist that everyone loves
  • Easily customizable to suit dietary preferences and taste
  • Perfect for meal prep and feeding a crowd
02 -
  • Use rotini or fusilli pasta shapes—their spirals hold onto the dressing better than smooth pasta
  • Make the avocado ranch dressing up to one day ahead and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator
  • To prevent avocado from browning, press plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the dressing
  • Crush the Doritos in the bag before opening to minimize mess and ensure even-sized pieces
  • For best flavor, let the salad sit for 15-20 minutes after dressing to allow flavors to meld before adding Doritos
  • Always taste and adjust seasoning before serving—you may want extra lime juice, salt, or pepper
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