Description

Dorito Taco Salad is a fun and flavorful salad loaded with seasoned ground beef, crisp romaine lettuce, juicy cherry tomatoes, black beans, sweet corn, sharp cheddar cheese, and crunchy nacho cheese Doritos all tossed in a creamy Catalina-ranch dressing. This hearty and colorful dish is a family favorite, perfect for potlucks, game day celebrations, or as an easy weeknight dinner that everyone will enjoy.

Ingredients

For the Meat

1 lb lean ground beef
1 packet taco seasoning
¼ cup water

For the Salad

1 large head romaine lettuce, chopped
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup corn kernels
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
½ cup diced red onion

For the Dressing

½ cup Catalina dressing
½ cup ranch dressing

For the Garnish & Crunch

4 cups crushed Nacho Cheese Doritos
Sliced black olives (optional)
Chopped cilantro (optional)

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Instructions

Cook the Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the lean ground beef until fully cooked, breaking it apart with a spatula as it cooks. Drain any excess grease to keep the salad from becoming greasy.
Season the Beef: Stir in the taco seasoning packet along with ¼ cup of water. Let the mixture simmer for 3 to 5 minutes until the beef absorbs the flavors and the sauce slightly thickens. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly to prevent wilting the salad ingredients.
Prepare the Salad Base: In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped romaine lettuce, halved cherry tomatoes, drained black beans, corn kernels, shredded cheddar cheese, and diced red onion. Add the slightly cooled taco beef to this mixture.
Make the Dressing: In a separate bowl, mix together the Catalina dressing and ranch dressing until smooth and well blended, creating a creamy and tangy dressing with a hint of sweetness.
Toss the Salad: Pour the combined dressing over the salad ingredients. Toss gently but thoroughly to ensure every bite is evenly coated with the flavorful dressing.
Add Crunch: Just before serving, fold in the crushed Nacho Cheese Doritos to maintain their crisp texture within the salad, providing a wonderful cheesy crunch.
Garnish and Serve: Optionally, top your Dorito Taco Salad with sliced black olives and chopped fresh cilantro to add extra layers of flavor and freshness. Serve immediately for the best texture.

Notes

Add diced avocado to increase creaminess and add healthy fats.
Do not add crushed Doritos until right before serving to keep them crunchy.
Store leftovers without the chips to prevent them from getting soggy.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Mexican-American