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I grew up in a really small town, we’re talking population ~300, and our church had potlucks all the time. Is that just a small town thing?? Anyways, one dish I remember absolutely loving was Catalina Taco Salad. I haven;t thought about that dish in a looooong time but I was at WalMart the other day and guess what I saw?? Catalina Dressing!! It was fate. I grabbed a bottle and whipped up my version of a Catalina Taco Salad that day.
Catalina Dressing is the perfect mix of sweet but not too sweet with a little twang. I honestly haven’t thought about it until I saw it and just knew I needed to make this salad.
There are a lot of ingredients you could put into it but there are five things you absolutely must have. Those five things are romaine lettuce, taco meat, pinto beans, Fritos, and Catalina Dressing. Everything else is just want you want to go in there. Before you think the Fritos are weird you will just have to trust me on this one, they give the salad a nice crunch!
For my salad I chose cheddar cheese and red onions. Other things I would have put in there but didn’t have at the moment are fire roasted corn and cucumbers. You could totally put whatever other veggies you want in too like olives, tomatoes, bell peppers, whatever!! That’s what I love about a salad, you can literally make it whatever you want.
When I made this I kept the lettuce in one bowl, the taco meat in another, and the veggies and cheese in another. This way nothing went “bad” when I put it away and I could just mix in what I wanted each time I made it. I also kept the Catalina Dressing and Fritos separate.
For the full Catalina Taco Salad recipe check out the bottom of this post.
Have you ever made Catalina Taco Salad??
What’s your favorite salad??
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- 1.5 pounds hamburger meat
- 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 can pinto beans
- 1 onion chopped
- 1 bunch romaine lettuce torn
- 1 pkg Fritos
- 1 24 oz bottle Catalina Dressing
- 1 pkg taco seasoning
Ingredients
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- Brown hamburger meat, drain, and add taco seasoning and cook according to package.
- Tear romaine lettuce and add to a big bowl.
- Add drained and rinsed pinto beans, chopped onion, shredded cheese, and Fritos and toss until well mixed.
- Add taco meat and Catalina Dressing to the salad mix.
- Enjoy!
I love taco salads! I have yet to try one with Catalina dressing. Thanks for the recipe. I’m going to add a bottle of Kraft Classic Catalina dressing to my grocery list this weekend.
My daughter would love this taco salad! She loves anything taco and this would be a great way to sneak in a few veggies!
Oh Catalina! I haven’t had that dressing in years. This taco salad looks delicious though!
I haven’t had a taco salad in ages… used to eat them all the time when I was growing up too!
Church potlucks were always the best but my small town was never that small!
I can’t remember the last time I had taco salad. I forgot how delicious it is. I will definitely be trying this recipe soon.
Oh wow, the taco salad looks mouth-watering! I can thrive on salads. I can’t wait to try this!
I love a great taco salad. I haven’t had this in such a long time. I’ll make sure to make your recipe very soon. I think my family is going to love this.
Taco salad is on the menu at our house tonight! Last night was burritos and we’ll use the leftover for taco salad.
I love taco salad. I haven’t ever tried it with Catalina dressing though. I bet it is really tasty. I’m going to try it the next time I make a taco salad.
Taco Salad is a family favorite. The kids are always excited when I make it. I will have to try this recipe. It will be a nice twist on my recipe.
That sounds so yummy! I love the idea of using Catalina dressing in stead of taco sauce. It’s tasty AND different.
I love this salad. I haven’t had in a very long time. I’m going to have to make it now.
Oh my gosh! This is perfect. My daughter is obsessed with Kraft Catalina dressing and this would be a fantastic summer lunch for her. We are always looking for cool ways to make taco salad…our favorite family dish.
You had me at the word taco!!!! Anything related to tacos gets two thumbs up from me!
My husband loves a good taco salad and I never even thought to use Catalina dressing. This looks so good, I want a forkful right now!
Oh heck yes, this is what is for dinner tonight. I have this dressing and definitely will be making Taco Salads tonight.
This salad is one of my kid’s favorite meals. They request it twice a week, even though they don’t get it that often. lol
Yum! I love making and trying new salads!
My hubby’s uncle comes over every other weekend for family dinner, and he LOVES Catalina Dressing lol He usually just have it on his salads. Saving this recipe to try it for him and see if he likes it!