Taco Salad with Catalina Dressing Recipe
This Taco Salad with Catalina Dressing is a vibrant and flavorful dish combining seasoned ground beef, fresh vegetables, crunchy Doritos, and tangy Catalina dressing. Perfect for a quick lunch or casual dinner, this salad offers a delightful mix of textures and bold southwestern flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American, Tex-Mex
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Seasoning
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 ounce taco seasoning
- ¼ cup water
Vegetables and Toppings
- ½ cup red onion, diced
- 1 head iceberg lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup cucumbers, diced
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1 (2.25 ounce) can sliced black olives, drained
Other Ingredients
- 4 cups Doritos (half of a bag), broken into bite-size pieces
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup Catalina dressing (adjust to taste)
Instructions
- Prepare Vegetables and Chips: Chop the lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and cucumbers into bite-sized pieces. Break the Doritos chips into small, manageable bite-size pieces for easy eating.
- Cook Ground Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it up as it cooks. Once fully browned, drain any excess grease to keep the salad from becoming oily.
- Season Beef: Stir in the diced red onions, water, and taco seasoning to the browned beef. Continue cooking and stirring for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the onions to soften slightly.
- Assemble Salad Base: In a large bowl, add the chopped iceberg lettuce as the base. Next, add the cooked and seasoned ground beef evenly over the lettuce.
- Add Vegetables and Toppings: Layer the shredded cheddar cheese, diced tomatoes, diced cucumbers, and drained sliced black olives over the beef and lettuce.
- Add Crunch: Sprinkle the broken Doritos pieces over the assembled salad to add a crunchy texture and a burst of flavor.
- Dress and Toss: Pour the Catalina dressing generously over the salad. Gently toss all ingredients together, ensuring the dressing coats everything evenly without crushing the chips.
- Serve Immediately: Serve the taco salad straight away to enjoy the full spectrum of textures and freshness before the chips get soggy.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, consider adding jalapeños or a sprinkle of cayenne pepper.
- Use baked or reduced-fat cheese options to reduce fat content if desired.
- Can be served with a side of salsa or guacamole for extra flavor.
- Best enjoyed immediately to maintain the crunch of the Doritos.
- Optional: Substitute ground beef with ground turkey for a leaner alternative.
Keywords: Taco Salad, Catalina Dressing, Ground Beef Salad, Tex-Mex Salad, Quick Dinner, Crunchy Salad
