Doritos Taco Salad by Jamie Loftus

Indulge in the nostalgic flavors of Doritos Taco Salad, a beloved family dish that combines the bold crunch of Doritos with savory taco-seasoned meat and zesty Catalina dressing. It's a dish that proudly veers from traditional taco salad variations, focusing on simplicity and taste. Found on the back of a Dorito’s bag by Jaime’s uncles in the 90’s, this recipe holds a special place in her heart, because when else do you get a recipe that instructs you to “crush the Doritos by punching the bag”?  Family food at its best! 

Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef

• 1 packet of old El Paso Taco Seasoning

• 1 large bag of red Doritos

• ½  bottle of Catalina salad dressing, plus more if desired

• 1 bag of three-cheese Mexican blend 

Optional ingredients for traditional taco salad:

• ½ head iceberg lettuce, shredded

• roma tomatoes, diced

• 1 can whole kernel corn,drained 

• 1 can black beans, drained 

• ½ red onion, diced

• 1 can sliced black olives 

Instructions:

1. Cook the ground beef in a pan over medium-high heat until browned, draining excess oil if desired.

2. Add the old El Paso taco seasoning to the cooked meat and mix well.

3. Crush the red Doritos by punching the bag and place in a large mixing bowl.

4. Add the seasoned meat to the bowl of crushed Doritos.

5. Pour ½ the Catalina salad dressing over the mixture and toss to combine.

6. If using the optional ingredients, add lettuce, tomatoes, corn, beans, onions, and olives to the bowl.

7. Gently stir in the additional cheese and Catalina dressing, if desired.

8. Refrigerate the salad for a couple of hours to allow the flavors to meld

9. Serve the Doritos Taco Salad chilled and enjoy!

Note: Feel free to adjust the ingredients and seasonings according to your taste preferences.