Taco Pasta Salad Doritos Avocado (Printable)

A vibrant pasta salad with taco flavors, crunchy Doritos, and creamy avocado ranch dressing.

# Ingredient List:

→ 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
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
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 Steps:

01 - Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water until completely cooled.
02 - In a large salad bowl, combine cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, black beans, corn, bell pepper, red onion, black olives, and romaine lettuce.
03 - In a blender or food processor, combine avocado, mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, lime juice, minced garlic, dill, parsley, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning to taste.
04 - Pour avocado ranch dressing over salad and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
05 - Add shredded cheddar cheese and fresh cilantro, then toss again to distribute.
06 - Just before serving, sprinkle crushed Doritos on top for crunch and texture contrast.
07 - Serve immediately while Doritos are at peak crispness. Alternatively, refrigerate without Doritos for up to 4 hours and add Doritos just before serving to prevent sogginess.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The Doritos stay crunchy and add a salty-savory punch that regular croutons could never match.
  • It comes together in under 30 minutes but tastes like you fussed over it way longer.
  • The avocado ranch is creamy, bright, and forgiving if you tweak the seasonings to your taste.
  • You can prep everything ahead except the Doritos, making it perfect for gatherings or packed lunches.
02 -
  • The dressing contains avocado, which browns quickly once cut and blended—make this no more than a few hours before serving, or toss with a bit of extra lime juice to slow the oxidation.
  • Do not add the Doritos until the very last moment, or they'll absorb moisture and turn soft instead of crunchy, which defeats the entire point.
03 -
  • Use a squeeze of lime juice on the cut avocado immediately after peeling to prevent it from browning before you blend it.
  • If your dressing seems too thick, thin it with a splash more buttermilk—it should pour easily but still coat pasta.
Return