Ultimate Taco Salad Extravaganza
This Ultimate Taco Salad Extravaganza is the perfect dish for any gathering, bringing together vibrant flavors and colorful ingredients that everyone will love! Imagine a layer of seasoned ground beef mixed with a medley of fresh vegetables, savory cheeses, and crunchy nacho chips, all enveloped in a delicious dressing. This recipe is designed to serve a crowd, but it can easily be halved for smaller get-togethers. For added convenience, you can prepare the beef in advance and refrigerate it overnight, allowing the rich flavors to meld beautifully. Just before serving, mix in the crunchy chips and watch as your guests rave about this mouthwatering creation, making it a staple for future gatherings. Feel free to customize this salad by adding black beans, corn, or your favorite toppings to make it your own!
20
Servings
150
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
lean ground beef
2 lbs (browned and cooled)
taco seasoning mix
2 (1 1/4 ounce) packages (one used in the beef, one mixed with salad ingredients)
grated cheddar cheese
2 cups (can be cubed or shredded)
red onion
1 (chopped)
yellow onion
1 (chopped)
iceberg lettuce
2 heads (chopped)
Roma tomatoes
4 (chopped)
avocados
2 (peeled and chopped)
black olives
1 1/2 cups (sliced)
nacho chips
12 cups (1 large bag) (crushed, with extra for serving)
Catalina dressing
1 (8 ounce) bottle (for tossing before serving)
Instructions
1
In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef together with the chopped yellow onion until the meat is fully cooked and the onion is translucent. Strain off any excess fat.
2
Sprinkle in one package of taco seasoning mix and add the required amount of water as instructed on the package. Stir well and allow it to simmer for a few minutes, then set aside to cool completely. For best flavor, consider refrigerating it for an hour.
3
In a massive salad bowl, combine the chopped iceberg lettuce, Roma tomatoes, grated cheddar cheese, chopped avocados, sliced black olives, and chopped red onion. Mix in the second package of taco seasoning mix and toss gently to combine all of the fresh ingredients.
4
Once the beef mixture has cooled adequately, incorporate it into the vegetable mixture, tossing thoroughly to ensure even distribution.
5
Just before serving, drizzle the Catalina dressing over the salad and mix well. To maintain the crunch of the nacho chips, fold in about three-quarters of the crushed chips. Leave the remaining chips on the side for guests who enjoy extra crunch.
6
Serve immediately for the best experience!
Nutrition Information
10g
Carbs
9.5g
Protein
2.5g
Fiber
1g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ultimate Taco Salad Extravaganza?
It is a vibrant salad featuring seasoned ground beef, fresh vegetables, savory cheeses, and crunchy nacho chips tossed in a Catalina dressing.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
The recipe is designed to serve 20 people.
How many calories are in a single serving?
There are 150 calories per serving.
What is the protein content of the salad?
Each serving contains 9.5g of protein.
How many carbohydrates are in each serving?
There are 10g of carbohydrates per serving.
How much fiber is in one serving?
One serving provides 2.5g of fiber.
What is the sugar content per serving?
There is 1g of sugar per serving.
What kind of beef is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 2 lbs of lean ground beef.
How many packages of taco seasoning are needed?
You will need two 1.25-ounce packages of taco seasoning mix.
How are the two packages of taco seasoning divided?
One package is used to season the beef, and the other is mixed directly with the fresh salad ingredients.
What types of onions are included in the salad?
The recipe uses one chopped yellow onion for cooking and one chopped red onion for the fresh salad mix.
What kind of lettuce is recommended for the base?
The recipe uses two heads of chopped iceberg lettuce.
How many tomatoes are required for this salad?
The recipe requires 4 chopped Roma tomatoes.
What is the recommended cheese for this recipe?
The recipe uses 2 cups of grated cheddar cheese, which can be cubed or shredded.
How should the avocados be prepared?
Two avocados should be peeled and chopped before being added to the salad bowl.
What amount of black olives is needed?
You should add 1.5 cups of sliced black olives.
How many nacho chips are required for the recipe?
The recipe uses 12 cups of crushed nacho chips, which is typically one large bag.
What dressing is used for the Ultimate Taco Salad Extravaganza?
An 8-ounce bottle of Catalina dressing is used to toss the salad.
Can I make the beef mixture in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the beef in advance and refrigerate it overnight to allow the flavors to meld.
How should I cook the beef and yellow onion?
Brown the ground beef and chopped yellow onion in a skillet until the meat is cooked and the onion is translucent, then strain the fat.
When should I add the nacho chips to the salad?
Add three-quarters of the chips just before serving to maintain their crunch, leaving the rest on the side.
Can this recipe be halved for smaller groups?
Yes, the recipe can easily be halved if you are serving a smaller crowd.
What are some suggested optional ingredients?
You can customize the salad by adding black beans or corn.
Is this recipe suitable for a potluck?
Yes, it is tagged as a potluck recipe and a crowd pleaser, making it ideal for gatherings.
How should the beef mixture be handled before mixing with the lettuce?
The beef mixture should be allowed to cool completely before being incorporated into the vegetable mixture.
What is the suggested prep for the Roma tomatoes?
The Roma tomatoes should be chopped before being added to the massive salad bowl.
Is this considered a healthy meal?
The recipe is tagged as a healthy salad and an easy meal.
What category of cuisine does this recipe fall into?
This is a Tex-Mex style recipe.
What is the preparation method for the black olives?
The black olives should be sliced before being added to the salad.
Why should I serve this salad immediately after mixing?
Serving immediately ensures the best experience and prevents the chips from losing their crunch.