Crispy Pasta Salad

If your social media feed is anything like mine, you may have noticed that crispy pasta salad is currently having a moment. In this viral recipe, cooked pasta is tossed with olive oil and seasonings, then crisped in the oven or air fryer to add a satisfying crunch to pasta salad.

The basic technique is easy to customize with your favorite flavors, just switch up the seasonings used to make the crispy pasta as well as the ingredients in the salad. This taco-inspired crispy pasta salad recipe combines taco seasoning-flavored crispy pasta with all your favorite taco salad ingredients mixed in a creamy dressing. Serve this salad as a main dish or as a side dish for a family barbecue, summer party or potluck.

Ingredients for Crispy Pasta Salad

• Crispy pasta: Rotini pasta is boiled to al dente, drained, then tossed with olive oil and taco seasoning. You can definitely sub in another short-cut pasta shape if you prefer. Pasta shapes with lots of nooks and crannies, such as bow ties, cavatappi or wagon wheels, are ideal for pasta salads—both crispy and regular.
• Dressing: This crispy pasta salad is tossed with a flavorful dressing that combines Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon juice, olive oil and taco seasoning.
• Veggies: Use classic taco salad veggies, including chopped lettuce, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, chopped onion and sliced black olives.
• Black beans: Black beans add a boost of protein. Plus, their earthy and slightly sweet flavor complements the spicy flavor of the pasta and dressing.
• Cheddar cheese: Mild or sharp cheddar are both great options—for the best flavor, shred the cheese yourself. However, packaged shredded cheese is perfectly acceptable too—just pick up your favorite shredded cheddar cheese brand.

Directions

Step 1: Make the crispy pasta

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a 15x10x1-inch rimmed baking sheet with parchment and set aside.

Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Drain, then transfer to a large bowl. Toss the pasta with 1 tablespoon of taco seasoning and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Spread the pasta evenly onto the prepped baking sheet. Bake in the oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until crispy and golden.

Step 2: Make the salad

While the pasta is crisping, make the salad. In a large bowl, combine the lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, red onion, bell peppers, black beans and black olives. Toss to combine.

Step 3: Make the dressing

In a small bowl, stir together the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon juice, and the remaining olive oil and taco seasoning.

Step 4: Toss it all together

Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to combine. Add the crispy pasta and toss once more. Serve immediately.

Crispy Pasta Salad Variations

• Air-fry the pasta: You can also make the crispy pasta in your air fryer. After seasoning the cooked and drained pasta, transfer 1/4 to 1/2 the noodles to the air-fryer basket. Arrange the pasta in a single layer, allowing some space between each noodle. Air-fry at 400° for 10 minutes, tossing halfway through. The edges should be slightly golden brown and crispy. Repeat with the remaining pasta.
• Switch up the flavors: This recipe is endlessly customizable—for example, you could lean into Mediterranean flavors by flavoring the pasta with a Greek seasoning blend, replacing the shredded cheddar with crumbled feta and dressing the salad with tzatziki sauce. Or, opt for traditional Italian pasta salad flavors by tossing the pasta with Italian seasoning before crisping and using marinated fresh mozzarella balls, fresh basil, a selection of cured meats and a pesto dressing.
• Add protein: To pack in even more protein, stir in cooked seasoned taco meat or cubed chicken.

How to Store Crispy Pasta Salad

Leftover crispy pasta taco salad should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The crispy pasta will soften over time, so if you expect to have leftovers, set some of the crispy pasta aside and store separately. This salad is best consumed within two to three days of making it.

Crispy Pasta Salad Tips

Can you use a different type of pasta?

Absolutely! When choosing a different type of pasta for making crispy pasta taco salad, look for a shape with lots of nooks and crannies that the dressing and other ingredients can cling to.

What can you serve with crispy pasta salad?

While this crispy pasta taco salad is hearty enough to serve as an entree, it also makes an excellent side dish to pair with barbecue favorites such as grilled burgers, barbecued chicken or smoked beef ribs.