Cowboy Pasta Salad is a bold, hearty dish that brings together the smoky richness of bacon and ground beef with the tangy creaminess of a BBQ-inspired dressing. Loaded with pasta, beans, cheese, and fresh veggies, this salad is the ultimate comfort food served cold—perfect for potlucks, picnics, or a filling weeknight dinner.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Cowboy Pasta Salad has it all—meaty, creamy, crunchy, and tangy in every bite. It’s easy to make, packs a protein punch, and is great for feeding a crowd. You’ll love how the BBQ mayo dressing ties everything together, making it taste like a backyard cookout in salad form. Plus, it holds up well in the fridge, making it ideal for meal prep.
ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Pasta (rotini, bowtie, or wagon wheel)
- Ground beef
- Bacon
- Black beans (drained and rinsed)
- Corn (canned or fresh)
- Cherry tomatoes
- Cheddar cheese (cubed or shredded)
- Green onions
- Red onion (optional)
- Jalapeño (optional)
For the dressing:
- Mayonnaise
- Barbecue sauce
- Apple cider vinegar
- Worcestershire sauce
- Spicy brown mustard
- Hot sauce (optional)
- Salt
- Black pepper
directions
- Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Rinse with cold water and drain well.
- In a skillet, cook bacon until crispy. Remove and crumble once cooled. In the same pan, cook ground beef until browned. Season lightly with salt and pepper, then drain.
- In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, barbecue sauce, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, hot sauce (if using), salt, and pepper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine pasta, ground beef, bacon, beans, corn, cherry tomatoes, cheese, green onions, and any optional veggies.
- Pour dressing over the salad and mix until everything is evenly coated.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving for best flavor.
Servings and timing
Servings: 6–8
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes (plus chill time)
Variations
- Make it spicy: Add diced jalapeños or use a spicy BBQ sauce.
- Lighter version: Use light mayo and ground turkey instead of beef.
- Southwest style: Mix in avocado and chopped cilantro.
- No mayo: Use Greek yogurt or a vinaigrette-based dressing instead.
- More crunch: Add crushed tortilla chips just before serving.
storage/reheating
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. This salad is meant to be served cold and does not require reheating. If making ahead, keep the dressing separate and mix in before serving to maintain the best texture.
FAQs
Can I make Cowboy Pasta Salad ahead of time?
Yes, and it actually tastes better after sitting for a few hours in the fridge, allowing the flavors to meld.
What’s the best type of pasta to use?
Short pasta like rotini, bowtie, or wagon wheel works best—they hold the dressing well and are easy to eat.
Can I use a different type of meat?
Absolutely—try ground turkey, chicken, or even shredded rotisserie chicken.
What kind of BBQ sauce is best?
Use your favorite! Sweet, smoky, or spicy BBQ sauces all add a different flair to the salad.
Is this salad served warm or cold?
Cold. It’s a chilled salad and perfect for hot weather or make-ahead meals.
Can I skip the beans?
Yes, but they add a great texture and a bit of plant-based protein. You can also replace them with another veggie.
How do I keep the salad from getting soggy?
Make sure all components (especially pasta and beef) are cooled before mixing. You can also add the dressing just before serving.
Can I freeze Cowboy Pasta Salad?
Freezing is not recommended, as the creamy dressing and fresh veggies don’t thaw well.
How spicy is the salad?
That’s up to you! You control the heat level based on how much hot sauce or jalapeño you add.
Can I make this vegetarian?
Yes! Skip the beef and bacon, and load up on beans, corn, cheese, and avocado for a tasty meat-free version.
Conclusion
Cowboy Pasta Salad is everything you want in a potluck dish or casual dinner—hearty, tangy, and full of satisfying textures. With smoky meat, creamy dressing, and plenty of fresh and colorful mix-ins, it’s guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. Try it once, and it just might become your new favorite cold pasta salad.
Description
Cowboy Pasta Salad is a zesty, creamy mix of tender pasta, ground beef, crispy bacon, sweet corn, tomatoes, cheese, and a tangy BBQ-ranch style dressing. It’s like a burger and a salad all in one – bold, filling, and totally crowd-pleasing.
For the Salad:
For the Dressing:
-
Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain, rinse with cold water, and set aside.
-
In a skillet, cook ground beef over medium heat until fully browned. Drain any excess fat and let it cool.
-
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, cooked beef, bacon, corn, tomatoes, cheese, red onion, and green onions.
-
In a small bowl, whisk together all the dressing ingredients until smooth.
-
Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until everything is evenly coated.
-
Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld.
Notes
-
Add black beans or diced avocado for a Tex-Mex twist.
-
Make it spicy by adding chopped jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the dressing.
-
Can be made a day ahead—just give it a quick stir before serving.