Name: Easy Doritos Taco Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 1 head of iceberg lettuce (finely shredded); 1 bottle of catalina dressing (16 ounces); 2 tomatoes (diced); 1 onion (chopped, optional); 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese; 1 ½ pounds ground beef (cooked and drained); 1 packet of taco seasoning (or 3 tablespoons if homemade); 15.5 ounces bag of nacho cheese tortilla chips (crushed)

Easy Doritos Taco Salad

Print Recipe

This Simple Doritos Taco Salad is the ultimate crowd-pleaser, delivering a satisfying crunch and bold flavor in every bite. After testing countless variations, I’ve perfected this recipe to be both incredibly easy and reliably delicious for weeknights or potlucks.

Author: Claire Monroe
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients

Scale

1 head of iceberg lettuce (finely shredded)
1 bottle of catalina dressing (16 ounces)
2 tomatoes (diced)
1 onion (chopped, optional)
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 ½ pounds ground beef (cooked and drained)
1 packet of taco seasoning (or 3 tablespoons if homemade)
15.5 ounces bag of nacho cheese tortilla chips (crushed)

Instructions

Cook and Season the Beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until it's fully browned and no pink remains. Unlike steaming, proper browning creates flavorful fond in the pan. Drain any excess fat thoroughly. Sprinkle the taco seasoning packet over the beef, add the water called for on the packet (typically ¾ cup), and simmer for 3-5 minutes until the sauce thickens. (Pro tip: Draining the fat well prevents a greasy salad).
Prepare the Fresh Components: While the beef cooks, core and finely shred the head of iceberg lettuce. For the crispiest texture, I've found that rinsing and thoroughly drying the lettuce in a salad spinner is essential. Dice the tomatoes and, if using, chop the onion. Keep these components separate until assembly to maintain their individual textures.
Crunch the Tortilla Chips: Place the bag of nacho cheese Doritos on a flat surface. Gently crush them with your hands or a rolling pin inside the bag. You want a mix of sizes—some small pieces to distribute flavor and a few larger shards for top-notch crunch. Avoid turning them into fine dust.
Assemble the Salad Base: In an extra-large serving bowl, combine the shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and optional chopped onion. Toss gently to distribute. Research shows that building the salad in layers, rather than mixing everything at once, helps prevent sogginess. This is your crisp foundation.
Layer with Warm Beef and Cheese: Spread the seasoned, slightly cooled ground beef evenly over the lettuce mixture. Immediately top with the two cups of shredded cheddar cheese. The residual heat from the beef will slightly melt the cheese, which experts recommend for better flavor integration than adding cold cheese.
Add the Final Crunch and Dressing: Just before serving, add the crushed Doritos over the top. This timing is critical for maximum crunch. Drizzle the entire bottle of Catalina dressing over the salad. (Pro tip: Start with ¾ of the bottle, toss, and add more to taste to avoid overdressing). Toss everything together thoroughly and serve immediately for the best texture in this Simple Doritos Taco Salad.

Find it online: https://thecookingjournal.com/simple-doritos-taco-salad/