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Dinner

Cowboy Pasta Salad

A hearty and flavorful pasta salad loaded with ground beef, smoky bacon, and a zesty barbecue dressing.

By Daily Recipes Book· 🌍 American· August 11, 2026
Cowboy Pasta Salad
dailyrecipesbook.com
Prep
20 minutes
Cook
20 minutes
Total
40 minutes
Serves
10

This Cowboy Pasta Salad is always the first thing to vanish at any potluck or backyard barbecue. It brings together savory ground beef, crispy bacon, and sweet charred corn for a meal that feels just as satisfying as a main course.

Since this salad holds up so well in the fridge, it is a perfect dish to make ahead of time for your next gathering. My secret tip is to let the pasta chill for at least an hour before serving so all those bold barbecue flavors can really soak into the noodles.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound rotini or bowtie pasta
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • 1 cup corn kernels, charred in a pan
  • 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/3 cup barbecue sauce
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder

Instructions

  1. 1

    Cook the pasta according to the package directions, then drain it and rinse under cold water.

  2. 2

    Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until fully cooked. Drain any excess fat and let the meat cool down.

  3. 3

    In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, barbecue sauce, lime juice, and chili powder to create the dressing.

  4. 4

    Add the cooked pasta, ground beef, crumbled bacon, charred corn, black beans, cheddar cheese, and cherry tomatoes to the bowl.

  5. 5

    Toss everything together until the pasta is evenly coated in the dressing.

  6. 6

    Refrigerate the salad for at least one hour before serving so the flavors can develop.

💡 Tips

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. If the pasta seems a little dry after chilling, add an extra tablespoon of barbecue sauce or a squeeze of lime before you serve it.

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