Get ready to meet your new favorite weeknight meal: the ultimate Taco Salad with Catalina Dressing. This isn’t just any salad; it’s a flavor-packed bowl of savory ground beef, crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, and crunchy nacho cheese chips, all brought together by a sweet and tangy Catalina dressing. It’s the perfect combination of textures and tastes that will have everyone coming back for seconds. Whether you need a quick dinner, a potluck showstopper, or a satisfying lunch, this recipe is a guaranteed winner.
We’re combining the classic, nostalgic flavors of a Doritos taco salad with a simple, flavor-packed recipe that’s easy to whip up. The zesty dressing perfectly complements the seasoned meat and fresh veggies, creating a balanced and incredibly delicious meal the whole family will love.
Why This Taco Salad with Catalina Dressing is a Winner
You’re going to absolutely love this recipe, and here’s why. First, it’s incredibly easy to assemble, making it perfect for busy weeknights. Second, it’s a crowd-pleaser that satisfies both salad lovers and taco enthusiasts. Finally, it’s highly customizable. You can easily swap ingredients to suit your family’s preferences. It’s the kind of versatile dish that feels both comforting and fresh at the same time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients to create a truly memorable salad. We’ll break it down into what you need for the salad itself and the tangy dressing that ties it all together.
For the Taco Salad
- Ground Beef: 1 lb lean ground beef (90/10 is a great choice).
- Taco Seasoning: 1 packet of your favorite brand, or 2 tablespoons of a homemade blend.
- Water: 1/4 cup, to help the seasoning create a sauce for the beef.
- Head of Iceberg Lettuce: 1 large, chopped. Its crisp texture is essential.
- Tomatoes: 2 medium, diced.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese: 2 cups. Sharp or mild both work well.
- Kidney Beans: 1 (15-ounce) can, rinsed and drained.
- Nacho Cheese Flavored Tortilla Chips: 1 large bag (about 9-10 ounces), crushed.
For the Catalina Dressing
- Ketchup: 1/2 cup.
- Red Wine Vinegar: 1/4 cup for that signature tang.
- Olive Oil: 1/4 cup.
- Worcestershire Sauce: 1 tablespoon.
- Sugar: 3 tablespoons.
- Onion Powder: 1 teaspoon.
- Paprika: 1/2 teaspoon.
How to Make the Perfect Taco Salad with Catalina Dressing
Follow these simple steps to create a flawless taco salad every single time. The key is to prepare your components and assemble just before serving to maintain that perfect crunch.
Step 1: Brown the Beef
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until it’s no longer pink. Break it apart with a spoon as it cooks. Once browned, drain off any excess grease. Stir in the taco seasoning and water. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 3-5 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
Step 2: Prepare the Dressing
While the beef is cooking, you can whip up the dressing. In a medium bowl or a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the ketchup, red wine vinegar, olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, onion powder, and paprika. Whisk or shake vigorously until the sugar is dissolved and the dressing is well combined. Set it aside.
Step 3: Assemble the Salad
In a very large salad bowl, combine the chopped lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheddar cheese, and rinsed kidney beans. Add the slightly cooled taco meat. Drizzle about half of the Catalina dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine. Just before serving, add the crushed nacho cheese chips and toss one final time. Serve immediately, with the remaining dressing on the side for those who want extra.
Pro Tips for the Best Results
To make your Taco Salad with Catalina Dressing truly stand out, keep these tips in mind.
- Cool the Beef: Make sure the seasoned ground beef has cooled for at least 10-15 minutes before adding it to the lettuce. Hot meat will wilt the greens instantly.
- Dress Just Before Serving: To prevent a soggy salad, only add the dressing and chips right before you plan to eat.
- Keep Components Separate: If you’re planning for leftovers or making it ahead, store the meat, chopped veggies, cheese, dressing, and chips in separate containers.
Tasty Variations and Add-Ins
One of the best things about this salad is its versatility. Feel free to mix and match ingredients to make it your own!
- Protein Swap: Try using ground turkey or shredded chicken instead of ground beef. The slow-cooker shredded beef recipe is another great alternative for a different texture.
- Add More Veggies: Sliced black olives, diced onions, corn, or bell peppers are all fantastic additions.
- Spice it Up: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the dressing or top the salad with sliced jalapeños for a spicy kick.
- Different Chips: While nacho cheese chips are classic, Cool Ranch or regular tortilla chips also work beautifully.
Storing Your Taco Salad
Leftover taco salad can be tricky due to the dressing and chips. The best way to handle leftovers is to store the components separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. The cooked meat, veggies, and dressing will stay fresh for up to 3 days. When you’re ready for another serving, simply assemble a fresh bowl.
What to Serve With Taco Salad
This salad is a complete meal on its own, but if you’re serving a crowd, consider adding a side of cornbread or Mexican rice. It’s also delicious alongside a hearty soup, like this white chicken chili recipe for a fun and filling meal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can prepare all the components ahead of time. Cook the ground beef, chop the vegetables, and mix the dressing. Store everything separately in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This makes for a super quick assembly when you’re ready to serve.
To prevent a soggy salad, it is crucial to assemble it just before serving. Store the cooked meat, chopped vegetables, dressing, and chips in separate airtight containers. Combine them in a large bowl only when you are ready to eat.
This recipe is very versatile! You can swap the ground beef for ground turkey or shredded chicken. You can also add other ingredients like black beans, corn, black olives, diced avocado, or a dollop of sour cream.
Nacho cheese flavored tortilla chips (like Doritos) are the classic choice for this type of taco salad because their cheesy, savory flavor perfectly complements the other ingredients. However, Cool Ranch, spicy nacho, or regular corn tortilla chips also work well.
Catalina and French dressing are similar, but Catalina is typically thinner, a more vibrant red-orange color, and does not contain tomato products like ketchup, which is a key ingredient in our Catalina dressing recipe. Catalina dressing is known for its distinct tangy and sweet flavor.
More Delicious Recipes
If you enjoyed this easy and flavorful meal, you’ll love exploring other simple dinner ideas. For another crowd-pleasing dish that’s perfect for game day, try these Italian Sliders. Or for a completely different but equally delicious salad, check out this Italian Grinder Salad.
The Best Taco Salad with Catalina Dressing Recipe
Taco Salad with Catalina Dressing (The Ultimate Crowd-Pleaser)
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
- Stir in the taco seasoning and water. Bring to a simmer and cook for 3-5 minutes until the sauce has thickened. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
- In a medium bowl or jar, combine all dressing ingredients: ketchup, red wine vinegar, olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, onion powder, and paprika. Whisk or shake until well combined.
- In a large salad bowl, combine the chopped lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, and kidney beans.
- Add the cooled taco meat to the salad bowl. Drizzle with half of the dressing and toss to combine.
- Just before serving, add the crushed nacho cheese chips and toss one last time. Serve immediately with extra dressing on the side.
Notes
Tip 2: To make ahead, store all components in separate airtight containers in the fridge and assemble just before serving.
Share This Recipe!
If you loved making this Taco Salad with Catalina Dressing, don’t forget to share it with your friends and family! Pin this recipe on Pinterest to save it for later and help others discover their next favorite meal.
