Cowboy Pasta Salad

Name: Cowboy Pasta Salad with Bacon and Ground Beef
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb mini pasta shells, cooked and drained; 1 lb bacon, cooked and chopped; 3/4 lb ground beef, cooked and drained; 1 (15 oz) can whole kernel corn, drained; 1/2 onion, grated; 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved; 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese; 1 cup mayonnaise; 1/2 cup barbecue sauce; 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce; salt, to taste; black pepper, to taste; 1/4 cup green onions, chopped (optional)

Cowboy Pasta Salad is a hearty, creamy side dish combining mini pasta shells, ground beef, bacon, and cheddar cheese in a tangy BBQ mayonnaise dressing. Its standout trait is the savory-smoky beef and bacon foundation that makes it a filling main-dish alternative.

🌍American 🏷️Cowboy pasta salad 🏷️Pasta salad 🏷️Ground beef 🏷️Bacon Cheddar cheese

🏷️

🏷️Summer side dish

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TikTok

Total

35 min

Servings

8

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$25–$41

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok

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TikTok

Ingredients

1 lb mini pasta shells, cooked and drained
1 lb bacon, cooked and chopped
3/4 lb ground beef, cooked and drained
1 (15 oz) can whole kernel corn, drained
1/2 onion, grated
2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup barbecue sauce
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
salt, to taste
black pepper, to taste
1/4 cup green onions, chopped (optional)optional

13 Ingredients

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Instructions

1
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked and drained mini pasta shells, cooked and chopped bacon, and cooked and drained ground beef.
2
Add the drained whole kernel corn and grated onion to the bowl.
3
Add the halved cherry tomatoes and shredded cheddar cheese.
4
In a separate, smaller bowl or measuring cup, prepare the dressing by combining the mayonnaise, barbecue sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix well.
5
Season the salad ingredients in the large bowl with salt and pepper to taste.
6
Pour the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients.
7
Gently mix everything together until all ingredients are evenly coated in the dressing.
8
Serve immediately or chill before serving.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Brown the ground beef thoroughly and drain excess fat to prevent a greasy salad.
Cook bacon until crispy, then chop finely so it distributes evenly throughout.
Chill all ingredients before mixing to keep the salad at a cool serving temperature.
Adjust the BBQ mayo ratio to taste—use less if you prefer a lighter dressing, more for tangier results.

Substitutions

Ground beef → shredded rotisserie chicken or cooked ground turkey (keeps same cooking method)
Cheddar cheese → Monterey Jack or Colby for a milder flavor
Cherry tomatoes → diced Roma tomatoes or cucumber (reduces moisture)
Mayonnaise → Greek yogurt mixed with mayo (lightens the dressing, 1:1 ratio)