Fiesta Taco Salad Extravaganza
This Fiesta Taco Salad Extravaganza is a crowd-pleaser that combines the vibrant flavors of Taco Tuesday with the freshness of a colorful salad. Bursting with layers of seasoned ground beef, crisp veggies, and crunchy nacho chips, this dish is sure to impress your family and friends. It's versatile too! Feel free to mix and match the ingredients according to your preferences. Whether it's a casual family dinner or a festive gathering, this taco salad brings everyone to the table. Enjoy the hearty goodness and make it your own!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
ground beef
2 lbs (browned and drained)
McCormick's taco seasoning
2 (1 1/4 ounce) packages (used directly)
water
1 1/4 cups (used directly)
chopped green chilies
1 (4 ounce) can (used directly)
pinto beans
1 (12 ounce) can (drained)
lettuce
1 head (chopped)
tomatoes
4 medium (chopped)
shredded fiesta blend cheese
1 (8 ounce) bag (used directly)
onion (optional)
1 small (chopped)
nacho cheese Doritos
1 (12 ounce) bag (broken into pieces)
black olives
1 (3 7/8 ounce) can (sliced)
jalapeno (optional)
to taste (chopped)
Instructions
1
Start by browning the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain any excess grease.
2
Stir in the chopped green chilies, drained pinto beans, taco seasoning, and water. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then cook for approximately 8 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
3
In a large serving bowl, combine the chopped lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded fiesta blend cheese, chopped onion (if using), broken nacho cheese Doritos, sliced black olives, and chopped jalapeños (if desired).
4
Carefully fold in the seasoned meat mixture until well combined with the salad ingredients.
5
For the finishing touch, sprinkle additional broken nacho chips on top for an extra crunch.
6
Serve immediately with your choice of sour cream or taco sauce on the side for a delightful finishing touch.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Fiesta Taco Salad Extravaganza?
It is a crowd-pleasing dish that combines the flavors of a taco with a fresh, colorful salad, featuring seasoned beef, vegetables, and nacho chips.
How much ground beef is required for this recipe?
You will need 2 lbs of ground beef.
What brand of taco seasoning is recommended?
The recipe calls for McCormick's taco seasoning.
How many packages of taco seasoning should I use?
You should use two 1 1/4 ounce packages of taco seasoning.
How much water is added to the meat mixture?
The recipe requires 1 1/4 cups of water.
Are green chilies included in the recipe?
Yes, the recipe uses one 4 ounce can of chopped green chilies.
What size can of pinto beans is needed?
You need one 12 ounce can of pinto beans.
Should the pinto beans be drained?
Yes, the pinto beans should be drained before being added to the mixture.
How much lettuce is used in the salad?
The recipe uses one head of chopped lettuce.
How many tomatoes are needed for the salad?
You will need 4 medium chopped tomatoes.
What type of cheese is used?
An 8 ounce bag of shredded fiesta blend cheese is used.
Is onion a required ingredient?
No, the onion is optional, but if used, one small chopped onion is recommended.
What kind of chips give the salad its crunch?
Nacho cheese Doritos are used for the crunch.
How large should the bag of Doritos be?
A 12 ounce bag of nacho cheese Doritos is recommended.
Are black olives included in the Fiesta Taco Salad?
Yes, one 3 7/8 ounce can of sliced black olives is included.
Can I add jalapeños to this salad?
Yes, chopped jalapeños are optional and can be added to taste.
How do I prepare the ground beef?
Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat and drain any excess grease.
How long should the meat mixture simmer?
The meat mixture should simmer for approximately 8 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
How should the Doritos be prepared before adding them?
The Doritos should be broken into smaller pieces.
When do I add the seasoned meat to the salad?
Carefully fold the seasoned meat mixture into the bowl with the lettuce, vegetables, and chips once it has finished simmering.
What is the final step before serving?
Sprinkle additional broken nacho chips on top for an extra crunch.
What should be served on the side?
It is recommended to serve the salad with sour cream or taco sauce on the side.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 12 total ingredients listed in this recipe.
Is this recipe suitable for parties?
Yes, it is described as a festive gathering dish and a crowd-pleaser.
Can the ingredients be customized?
Yes, you can mix and match the ingredients according to your personal preferences.
What is the texture of the salad?
The salad is described as having a combination of fresh vegetables and a hearty, crispy texture from the chips and meat.
Should the salad be served immediately?
Yes, it is best served immediately after combining the ingredients to maintain the crunch.
Is this an easy recipe to follow?
Yes, it is tagged as an easy recipe with straightforward instructions.
What kind of cuisine does this recipe represent?
It is classified under Mexican cuisine.
Can I make this salad ahead of time?
While the meat can be prepared ahead, it is best to assemble just before serving to keep the chips from getting soggy.