Taco Pasta Salad

For Memorial Day weekend this year, I was invited to a couple cookouts and I needed a dish to bring.  I didn't want to bring the same thing that I usually bring.  I find taco salad delicious... the "old time" taco salad made with lettuce, taco meat tomatoes, cheese, Doritos and Catalina dressing.  The lettuce would get mushy in the heat. and the Doritos and dressing are loaded with sodium, so I thought I might try to make a different version.

This is the recipe that I came up with which received good reviews from the guests.  Luckily, there was some left over, so I know that it tastes just as good the next day.

TACO PASTA SALAD

Ingredients:
1 pound lean ground meat (I prefer beef, you may you any kind)
1 onion, chopped
3 tablespoons Auntie Jean's Low Sodium Taco Blend*
1/4 cup water
3/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon lime juice
3/4 cup oil
1 pound of pasta (your choice, I used rotini)
1 pint of grape tomatoes
1 can black olives, sliced
1/2 cup green onion, sliced
2 cups low fat shredded cheese (I used a Mexican blend)
sour cream, for serving

Preparation:
In a large skillet, brown ground meat with 1/2 of the chopped onion and drain fat.  Add 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning and 1/4 cup water and simmer for 10 minutes.  Let cool.  In large pot, cook pasta and drain.  Meanwhile in small bowl, whisk vinegar, lime juice, and 1 tablespoon of taco seasoning.  Add oil and whisk thoroughly.  When meat is cool, in extra large bowl, combine pasta, meat, tomatoes, olives, onions, ans cheese.  Pour dressing over bowl and toss to coat.  Serve with sour cream.

*Please email me at auntiejeans@yahoo.com if you would like to order some Auntie Jean's Low Sodium Taco Blend for $5 per bottle.