Table of Contents
- Why This Doritos Taco Salad Is a Game-Changer
- What Makes This a Great Easy Recipe?
- How to Customize Your Perfect Taco Salad
- The Best Way to Serve and Enjoy It
- Why I Love This Weeknight Dinner
- Tips and Tricks for the Best Results
- The Full Recipe
- Notes & Tips
Key Takeaways
- This is a quick, fun dinner that comes together in about 30 minutes.
- It’s highly customizable to please picky eaters and use what you have on hand.
- The key to success is adding the chips last to keep them wonderfully crunchy.
- You can prep components ahead of time, making it a great meal prep option for busy nights.
Why This Doritos Taco Salad Is a Game-Changer
Hey everyone, it’s Betty from Betty Cooks! Today, I’m sharing one of my family’s all-time favorite meals, and it’s honestly one of the best easy recipes in my arsenal. This Doritos Taco Salad is the perfect answer to the “what’s for dinner?” question on those crazy-busy nights. If you’re looking for a quick dinner that doesn’t sacrifice flavor or fun, you’ve come to the right place.
Let’s be real: sometimes you need a meal that’s more exciting than a basic salad but less fussy than a traditional taco bar. That’s where this genius recipe comes in. It combines the crave-worthy crunch of Doritos with all the classic taco fillings we love. It’s a playful, satisfying, and incredibly simple meal that gets everyone to the table with a smile.
What Makes This a Great Easy Recipe?
The beauty of this simple dish lies in its simplicity and speed. We’re talking about 15 minutes of prep and 15 minutes of cook time, for a grand total of half an hour from fridge to table. It uses straightforward ingredients, most of which you might already have in your pantry or fridge. Browning the ground beef and tossing everything together is about as complicated as it gets.
This is the ultimate family dinner recipe because it’s so adaptable. Got a picky eater who won’t touch beans? Leave them out. Have someone who loves extra heat? Add jalapeños. The basic framework is foolproof, and you can build the salad exactly how your crew likes it. It’s a fantastic way to turn a standard weeknight meal into something special.
How to Customize Your Perfect Taco Salad
One of my favorite things about this easy dinner is that it’s a fantastic canvas for creativity. Don’t feel limited by the ingredient list! Here are some of our favorite swaps and add-ons:
- Protein: Swap the ground beef for ground turkey, shredded chicken, or even seasoned lentils for a vegetarian twist.
- Beans: Black beans are classic, but pinto beans or kidney beans work great too.
- Veggies: Dice up some bell peppers, add sliced olives, or throw in some avocado chunks for creaminess.
- Cheese: Cheddar is perfect, but a Mexican blend, Monterey Jack, or even crumbled queso fresco would be delicious.
- Chips: While Nacho Cheese Doritos are iconic, you can use Cool Ranch, Flamin’ Hot, or even plain tortilla chips.
The Best Way to Serve and Enjoy It
Presentation is part of the fun! I like to serve this in one giant, colorful bowl right in the middle of the table. Let everyone grab a plate and dig in family-style. The key to keeping those chips perfectly crunchy is to add them at the very last second and give everything one big, gentle toss right before serving.
This salad is hearty enough to be a main course on its own, but it also pairs wonderfully with a simple side like corn on the cob, Spanish rice, or a fruit salad. It’s the kind of simple meal that feels like a treat but is so easy to pull off, making it perfect for casual get-togethers or just a regular Tuesday night.
Why I Love This Weeknight Dinner
As the person behind Betty Cooks, I’m always on the hunt for recipes that are both delicious and dependable. This Doritos Taco Salad checks every box. It’s a crowd-pleaser that requires minimal effort, which is the holy grail for any weeknight meal.
It brings back a sense of playful nostalgia (who didn’t love Doritos as a kid?) while being a perfectly balanced meal for adults. The combination of savory beef, crisp veggies, creamy dressing, and that iconic crunch is just unbeatable. It’s a guaranteed way to make an ordinary dinner feel like a fun occasion.
Tips and Tricks for the Best Results
- Drain the Beef Well: After browning, make sure to drain off any excess fat. This keeps the salad from getting greasy.
- Cool the Beef Slightly: Letting the seasoned beef cool for a few minutes before adding it to the lettuce prevents the greens from wilting.
- Prep Ahead: You can chop all the veggies, cook and season the beef, and make the dressing a day in advance. Store everything separately in the fridge and assemble when you’re ready to eat.
- Leftovers Strategy: If you have leftovers, store the soggy chips separately from the salad components. The beef and veggie mixture reheats beautifully for lunch the next day.
Notes & Tips
[This section would contain the Notes & Tips from the JSON file, such as the tip to add Doritos last, customization ideas, and make-ahead instructions.]
Doritos Taco Salad – A Quick and Easy Weeknight Dinner
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 packet (1 oz) taco seasoning
- 1/3 cup water
- 1 head romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup corn kernels (canned, drained or thawed frozen)
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup red onion, finely diced
- 1 (9.75 oz) bag Nacho Cheese Doritos, lightly crushed
For the Dressing
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1-2 tbsp taco sauce or mild salsa (optional, for a kick)
Instructions
- 1. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until browned and fully cooked, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks. Drain any excess fat.
- 2. Add the taco seasoning packet and water to the skillet with the beef. Stir to combine and simmer for 3-5 minutes, until the liquid is mostly absorbed. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- 3. While the beef cools, prepare the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the ranch dressing, sour cream, and taco sauce (if using) until smooth. Set aside.
- 4. In a very large bowl (or on a large serving platter), layer the salad: Start with the chopped romaine lettuce as the base.
- 5. Top with the seasoned ground beef, cherry tomatoes, corn, black beans, shredded cheese, and red onion.
- 6. Drizzle the ranch dressing mixture over the entire salad.
- 7. Just before serving, add the lightly crushed Doritos on top and toss gently to combine, ensuring the chips get coated with the dressing but stay crunchy. Serve immediately.
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