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Catalina Taco Salad
A classic taco salad made with seasoned ground beef, crisp lettuce, cheddar cheese, beans, tomatoes, olives, Fritos, and tangy Catalina dressing. This easy dinner recipe is perfect for potlucks, Taco Tuesday, and busy weeknights.
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Servings: 6
Calories: 463kcal
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Ingredients
- 8 cups iceberg lettuce (or romaine), torn
- 1 ½ pounds ground beef
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese grated
- 1 (15-ounce) can dark red kidney beans rinsed and drained
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 cup pitted ripe black olives drained
- 1 bunch green onions sliced
- 1 (14-ounce) bag Fritos corn chips
- 1 (16-ounce) bottle Catalina salad dressing
Instructions
Cook the Ground Beef
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until it's no longer pink, breaking it up as it cooks.1 ½ pounds ground beef
- Once fully cooked, drain off any excess grease.
- Set the meat aside to cool slightly while you prep the rest of the ingredients.
Assemble the Base of the Salad
- In a large serving bowl, combine the lettuce, grated cheddar cheese, kidney beans, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced olives, and green onions.8 cups iceberg lettuce, 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, 1 (15-ounce) can dark red kidney beans, 1 cup cherry tomatoes, 1 cup pitted ripe black olives, 1 bunch green onions
- Gently toss the ingredients to distribute evenly.
Add the Beef and Chips
- Just before serving, add the slightly cooled ground beef to the salad mixture.
- Pour in the Fritos corn chips and gently toss everything together.1 (14-ounce) bag Fritos corn chips
Dress and Serve
- Drizzle Catalina dressing over the top of the salad, a little at a time.1 (16-ounce) bottle Catalina salad dressing
- Toss gently until everything is evenly coated, using as much or as little dressing as preferred.
- Serve immediately for the best crunch and flavor.
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Notes
Ingredient Substitutions
- Try ground turkey or plant-based crumbles in place of ground beef.
- Black beans or pinto beans can be used instead of kidney beans.
- Substitute tortilla strips or crushed Doritos for Fritos for a different crunch.
- Ranch or Thousand Island can be used in place of Catalina, though it will change the flavor.
- Store undressed salad and beef separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- To keep chips crunchy, add them fresh just before serving.
- This salad is not freezer-friendly due to the fresh produce and chips.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 463kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 118mg | Sodium: 338mg | Potassium: 537mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1021IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 310mg | Iron: 3mg
*Nutrition information is automatically calculated based on ingredient data and should be considered an estimate. When multiple ingredient options are provided, the first listed is used for calculation. Optional ingredients and garnishes are not included in the nutrition analysis.