Taco Salad

Posted by Lori:
I grew up eating taco salad quite often and it is one of my families favorite meals. I like it because it's a quick and easy one-dish meal. All four of our kids like it, but the three boys don't like tomatoes at all. So, I just chop up the tomatoes and my husband, daughter, and I add them to our own bowls. 

TACO SALAD

1 pound hamburger meat
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
Few dashes of salt and pepper
1 can ranch style beans (undrained)
1 head lettuce (I use half iceberg and half leaf)
1/2 pint cherry tomatoes
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 bag tortilla chips
1 bottle Catalina dressing (I buy the large one, but you will only need 1/2 of it or less)

Brown hamburger meat with onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper in medium skillet on medium-high heat.  Drain grease on paper towels.  Return meat to skillet and add can of ranch style beans. Simmer on low while preparing other salad ingredients. Chop lettuce into bite-sized pieces.  Place in large bowl.  Add cheddar cheese and tomatoes.  Crush 1/2 bag of tortilla chips in large ziplock bag.  Add to lettuce mixture and stir well.  Just before serving add meat and beans to lettuce mixture. Stir.  Pour dressing over salad and stir once more before seving.

I double this recipe for my family of six, but we do have some left over.  I used to throw it out if we had a little left over, but didn't want to waste it.  I decided to try to reheat it in the microwave and my husband and I both like it this way!  The meat heats quicker because of the fat content.  Although the lettuce gets warm, it still tastes good.  We do think that the leaf lettuce isn't as good when it's reheated as is the iceberg variety....probably because it's thin and more delicate.

A note about the dressing:  Last year the Catalina dressing changed to "new and improved".  I think it seems hotter now (peppery-hot) and don't like it as well.  My family doesn't notice the difference.  Most of the time I purchase the fat free.  It's more like the "old" Catalina, so I like it better.  Wonder why they change formulas like that??????