Taco Salad with Catalina Dressing | CookOS

Taco Salad with Catalina Dressing

Name: Taco Salad with Catalina Dressing
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef; 1/4 cup red onion, diced; 1 packet taco seasoning mix; 2/3 cup water; 1 head iceberg lettuce, chopped; 1 bag (9.25 oz) nacho cheese tortilla chips, lightly crushed; 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese; 1 cucumber, diced; 2 roma tomatoes, diced; 1 can (2.25 oz) sliced black olives, drained; Catalina dressing, to taste

This taco salad combines seasoned ground beef, crisp lettuce, crunchy nacho cheese tortilla chips, and sweet-tangy Catalina dressing for a satisfying, nostalgic dish that comes together in under 20 minutes.

🌍American 🏷️Taco salad 🏷️Salad 🏷️Ground beef 🏷️Catalina dressing Nacho cheese chips

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Total

20 min

Servings

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$22–$36

Recipe Source

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Ingredients

1 lb ground beef
1/4 cup red onion, diced
1 packet taco seasoning mix
2/3 cup water
1 head iceberg lettuce, chopped
1 bag (9.25 oz) nacho cheese tortilla chips, lightly crushed
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 cucumber, diced
2 roma tomatoes, diced
1 can (2.25 oz) sliced black olives, drained
Catalina dressing, to taste

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Instructions

1
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it up with a spatula.
2
Drain off any excess grease from the skillet.
3
Add the diced red onion, taco seasoning packet, and water to the ground beef. Stir to combine and let it simmer until the liquid has reduced.
4
While the meat cools slightly, lightly crush the nacho cheese tortilla chips. Be careful not to crush them too much.
5
In a large salad bowl, add the chopped iceberg lettuce, the cooked taco meat, crushed tortilla chips, shredded cheese, diced cucumbers, diced tomatoes, and sliced black olives.
6
Drizzle the salad with Catalina dressing to your liking.
7
Toss everything together until well combined and serve immediately.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Drain excess fat from the cooked ground beef before adding taco seasoning to prevent a greasy salad.
Lightly crush the tortilla chips rather than breaking them into fine pieces—larger shards stay crunchier longer.
Chop and prepare all vegetables just before serving to prevent the lettuce from wilting.
Toss dressing with lettuce separately, then top with beef, cheese, and chips to control the crunch factor.

Substitutions

Ground beef → ground turkey or lean ground chicken (will be leaner; cook the same way)
Iceberg lettuce → romaine or butter lettuce (more tender; still works well)
Nacho cheese tortilla chips → crushed tortilla strips or fried wonton strips (for different texture)
Cheddar cheese → Mexican blend or Monterey Jack (for varied flavor)

Storage & make-ahead

Assemble the salad just before eating. Store cooked beef, chopped vegetables, and cheese separately in airtight containers for up to 3 days; dressing keeps up to 1 week.

Common Questions

Can I make the seasoned beef ahead of time?

Yes. Cook and cool the beef completely, then refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet before assembling the salad.