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Mom’s Frito Taco Salad with Catalina Dressing Recipe

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4.4 from 9 reviews

A quick and flavorful Mom’s Frito Taco Salad combining seasoned ground beef, crisp lettuce, beans, corn, tomatoes, and shredded cheese, all tossed with tangy Catalina dressing and topped with crunchy Fritos. Perfect for a satisfying family meal ready in just 25 minutes.

Ingredients

Salad Base

  • 8 to 10 cups romaine or iceberg lettuce, chopped
  • 1 can black or pinto beans, drained (pinto beans preferred)
  • 1 cup corn
  • 2 tomatoes, chopped
  • 1.5 cups shredded cheese
  • 2 cups Fritos corn chips

Meat and Seasoning

  • 1 lb lean ground beef (or turkey)
  • 1 package taco seasoning (or 2.5 tablespoons bulk taco seasoning)

Dressing and Optional Toppings

  • Catalina dressing (to taste)
  • Optional: chopped green onions or black olives

Instructions

  1. Brown the Meat: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until it begins to brown but avoid breaking it into very small pieces to keep it flavorful and chunky. Towards the end of cooking, add the taco seasoning (package or 2.5 tablespoons bulk), stir to combine and cook for another minute or two.
  2. Drain Excess Fat: Remove the skillet from heat and, if needed, drain off any excess fat from the cooked ground beef to keep the salad light.
  3. Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the chopped lettuce, beans, corn, tomatoes, shredded cheese, and cooked taco-seasoned beef. Pour in the desired amount of Catalina dressing and mix well to ensure even coating of all ingredients.
  4. Top and Serve: Just before serving, sprinkle the top with extra Fritos and any optional toppings such as chopped green onions or black olives. Serve the salad immediately to maintain the crispness of the Fritos.

Notes

  • For a lighter version, use lean ground turkey instead of beef.
  • Adjust the amount of Catalina dressing based on your preference for moisture and tanginess.
  • Fritos should be added just before serving to keep them crunchy.
  • Optional toppings like green onions or black olives add extra flavor and texture.
  • Can be customized with additional fresh veggies like diced bell peppers or avocado slices.

Find it online: https://cookedbysarah.com/moms-frito-taco-salad-with-catalina-dressing-recipe/