Mexican Chef Pasta Salad

Name: Mexican Chef Pasta Salad
Ingredients: 14 oz. bag of Flamingo Pasta (or any other short shape); 1 T. olive oil; 1- 1/2 pounds lean ground beef; 1 packet (1.25 oz) taco seasoning; 2 Romaine lettuce heads, chopped, or 1 small head Iceberg lettuce, chopped; 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained; 1 pint grape tomatoes, halved lengthwise; 1/2 cup diced Vidalia onion, or sweet onion; 2 avocados, diced; 1 lemon, for juice, or 1 T frozen lemon juice; 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese; 2 cups Doritos, nacho cheese, bite size crumbles (may substitute any corn chip); 1/2 bottle of Catalina dressing (store bought), or more to taste.; Tabasco, or other hot sauce

June 16, 2025By Carey Aron

Overhead view of Mexican Chef pasta salad showcasing shredded cheddar, avocado, black beans and Doritos chips on a white tabletop with utensils

Last post Hawaii, this post Mexico! I couldn’t help it…both of these pasta salads bring the fun and festivity to summer cooking. This version of Mexican Chef Pasta Salad is an adaptation from a salad my sister Kathy makes annually on our family beach trip. Confession: we can’t stop eating it.

Top-down of Mexican chef pasta salad in a yellow bowl with star pasta, black beans, tomatoes, avocado, and crushed chips

This pasta salad is a wonderful “one pot” meal. I think it’s the tangy sweetness of the dressing with the seasoned taco meat and fresh tomatoes and avocado and crunchy chips. It’s the “ying and yang” of all the delicious ingredients and the texture is wonderful too. Plus you can serve this baby room temperature or right out of the fridge. My vote: room temp!

Mexican-style pasta salad served in a lettuce-lined bowl with avocado, cherry tomatoes, black beans, cheddar and Doritos

And the kids will love it too. Isn’t it wonderful when you can find a recipe that appeals to everyone? I have posted other recipes in the past that are first cousins to this one, and definitely ones to check out: Taco Pasta Salad, Creamy Taco Bolognese, Southwest Chicken Pasta with Avocado Sauce, and Thai Chicken Salad (this one is a third cousin but I couldn’t leave her out!)

Close up of Mexican chef pasta salad showing avocado, black beans, shredded cheddar and Doritos on lettuce in white bowls

Now I must admit that my favorite ingredient here is DORITOS! Yes! You heard me! This recipe is my excuse to buy the largest bag I can find, open it, pull what I need out for this recipe, and then slowly snack on the bag for the next couple of days, if it even lasts that long.

Close-up of Mexican chef pasta salad with star-shaped pasta, black beans, avocado, shredded cheddar and tortilla chips

I mean, you know me… I’m mostly a healthy eater and a foodie, not the type to eat this kind of food?! 🙂 But here, I have no choice – it states it in the recipe! (Hint: this is the language you’ll use whenever questioned about the large red bag spotted in your kitchen.)

Bowl of Mexican pasta salad with Doritos, avocado, cherry tomatoes, shredded cheddar and black beans on a white table

So here’s to bringing a little Cha-Cha-Cha to your summer cooking! And please notice the cute Flamingo and Sunshine Pasta….perfect for this recipe, and fun for others!