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Layered Beef Taco Salad

A colorful and impressive layered salad that delivers all the delicious flavors of tacos without the mess of shells.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course, Salad
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 480

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 tablespoon Olive oil
  • 1 pound Lean ground beef (85%)
  • 1 Red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 can (15 ounces) Refried beans
  • 1 packet (1 ounce) Taco seasoning, reduced sodium
  • 15 whole chips Tortilla chips
  • 2.5 cups Shredded Mexican cheese blend, divided
  • 3 cups Romaine lettuce, chopped
  • 0.5 cup Crushed tortilla chips
  • 1 Roma tomato, diced

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers slightly.
  2. Add the ground beef and diced red bell pepper directly into the pan together.
  3. Cook for about five minutes, breaking up the beef with your spatula as it browns.
  4. Once fully cooked, add the refried beans straight into the skillet and stir thoroughly until blended.
  5. Sprinkle the taco seasoning evenly across the beef and bean mixture. Stir well and let it cook for another minute.
  6. Turn off the burner and prepare your serving dish.
  7. Grab a large casserole dish and arrange about fifteen whole tortilla chips across the bottom.
  8. Scoop the warm beef and bean mixture onto the chips and spread evenly.
  9. Sprinkle half of the shredded cheese on top, followed by the chopped romaine lettuce.
  10. Top with the remaining cheese, then sprinkle crushed tortilla chips and diced Roma tomato on top.
  11. Serve immediately while layers are intact and cheese is warm.

Notes

For the best flavor, brown the beef fully before adding beans. Assemble the salad right before serving to keep the chips crunchy. Let everyone build their own bowl for a fun, interactive dinner.