A flavorful pasta salad with taco spices, Doritos crunch, fresh vegetables, 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 or milk
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 Make It:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain in a colander and rinse thoroughly under cold running water until completely cooled.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta with cherry tomatoes, black beans, corn kernels, red bell pepper, red onion, black olives, and romaine lettuce. Mix gently to distribute vegetables evenly throughout.
03 - Add avocado, mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, lime juice, garlic, dill, parsley, onion powder, salt, and pepper to a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
04 - Pour the avocado ranch dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture. Using salad tongs or a large spoon, toss gently until all ingredients are well coated with dressing.
05 - Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese and fresh cilantro over the salad. Toss again gently to incorporate evenly.
06 - Just before serving, sprinkle the coarsely crushed Nacho Cheese Doritos over the top of the salad for maximum crunch and freshness.
07 - Serve immediately while the Doritos remain crispy. Alternatively, refrigerate the salad without Doritos for up to 4 hours, then top with crushed Doritos immediately before serving to prevent sogginess.
