Description
A quick and flavorful Doritos Taco Salad featuring seasoned ground beef, crisp romaine lettuce, black beans, tomatoes, cheddar cheese, and crunchy nacho cheese Doritos, all tossed in a zesty Catalina or ranch dressing. Perfect for a hearty lunch or easy dinner in just 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Seasoning
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 packet (1 ounce) taco seasoning
- Water as called for on the taco seasoning packet (typically about 2/3 cup)
Salad
- 3 to 4 Romaine lettuce hearts, rinsed and chopped
- 1 cup black beans, rinsed
- 1 large tomato, chopped or 1 cup sliced cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Toppings and Dressing
- 1 ½ cups nacho cheese Doritos, broken into bite-size pieces
- 1 cup Catalina dressing or your favorite salad dressing (ranch dressing works well too)
- Fresh cilantro, optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Ground Beef: Brown and crumble the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat until fully cooked. Drain the excess grease. Add the taco seasoning along with the amount of water specified on the seasoning packet (usually about 2/3 cup). Stir the mixture and bring it to a boil. Reduce heat to low and let simmer for 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Remove from heat and let the beef cool slightly.
- Assemble the Salad Base: In a large salad bowl, combine the chopped romaine lettuce, rinsed black beans, chopped or sliced tomatoes, and shredded cheddar cheese. Add the slightly cooled seasoned ground beef. Gently toss everything together until evenly mixed. You can serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator until ready to eat. Be sure not to add the Doritos chips until just before serving to keep them crunchy.
- Add Chips and Dressing to Serve: When ready to serve, add the broken nacho cheese Doritos and your choice of Catalina or ranch dressing to the salad. Toss gently to coat all ingredients with dressing and distribute the chips. Optionally, garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.
Notes
- Do not add the Doritos chips until just before serving to prevent sogginess.
- You can substitute black beans with pinto beans or kidney beans if preferred.
- Ranch dressing is a great alternative to Catalina dressing for a creamier flavor.
- For a spicier kick, add sliced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce.
- To make it vegetarian, omit the ground beef and increase beans or add grilled vegetables.
