Description
A hearty and flavorful Catalina Taco Salad featuring seasoned ground beef, fresh vegetables, kidney beans, crunchy crushed Doritos, and tangy Catalina dressing. Perfect for a quick, satisfying meal with a delightful mix of textures and bold Southwestern flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Seasoning
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning
Vegetables and Beans
- 1 head iceberg lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup diced red onion
- 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
Dairy
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Crunchy Elements and Dressing
- 2 cups crushed nacho cheese Doritos
- 1 cup Catalina dressing
Instructions
- Cook the Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned and fully cooked, about 6-8 minutes. Drain any excess fat to reduce greasiness and calories.
- Add Seasoning: Stir in the taco seasoning packet with a splash of water into the cooked beef. Simmer the mixture for 2-3 minutes to fully incorporate the flavors.
- Prepare Salad Base: In a large salad bowl, combine chopped iceberg lettuce, halved cherry tomatoes, shredded cheddar cheese, diced red onion, kidney beans, and the seasoned ground beef.
- Toss with Toppings: Just before serving, add the crushed nacho cheese Doritos and drizzle the salad with Catalina dressing.
- Mix and Serve: Toss everything together gently until the ingredients are well mixed and the dressing is evenly distributed, then serve immediately to maintain the crunchiness of the chips.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute ground beef with ground turkey and use reduced-fat Catalina dressing.
- Adding avocado slices or black olives can enhance the flavor and texture.
- Assemble the salad just before serving to keep the Doritos crunchy.
- Check the brands of taco seasoning and Doritos to ensure they are gluten-free if needed.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
