Tex-Mex Taco Salad

by Lindsay on January 13, 2012

Post image for Tex-Mex Taco Salad
Pinit

Remember when I made this dip?

Remember how I had to buy Velveeta cheese for it?

Remember how there’s still a block of Velveeta bigger than my head sitting in the fridge?

Well not anymore it’s not.

Taco meat

Yeah, that’s beef, beans and melted cheese.  I just posted that.

This started with good intentions.   Something to do with restitution for eating too many of these cookies.  Sometimes when I make taco salads, they can be really healthy.  Like, the grilled chicken-type thing.

But the Velveeta.

That darn velvety cheese that I shouldn’t like, but …do.

It was seducing me from the top shelf of the fridge, because for some reason I put Velveeta in the front? on the top shelf?  That was not wise.

And here’s the real game-changer: it was Pepperjack Velveeta.  Pep-per-jack.  Things like this will cause you to lose sight of the grilled chicken and replace it with visions of melted white cheese blanketing spicy beans, beef, and tortilla chips.

Taco Salad

At this point, me eating spinach in the winter is a lost cause unless it’s hiding under seasoned ground beef, black beans, onions, fresh salsa, tortilla chips and Cotija cheese covered with, uh, more melted cheese.

So now you know how to eat spinach in the winter and what to do with Pepperjack Velveeta.

Not a bad deal, friends.

Tex-Mex Taco Salad
Print
Author: Pinch of Yum
Prep time: 10 mins
Cook time: 10 mins
Total time: 20 mins
Serves: 4-6
Ingredients
  • 1 lb. ground beef
  • 1 yellow onion, diced
  • 3-4 tablespoons taco seasoning
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 16-ounce can black beans
  • 2-3 ounces Pepperjack Velveeta
  • fresh spinach or lettuce
  • fresh salsa
  • Cotija cheese, crumbled
  • tortilla chips, crushed
  • sour cream
Instructions
  1. Saute onion with a small amount of oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. When soft and fragrant, add ground beef. Cook until no longer pink. Drain most of the grease from the pan. Add seasoning and water; stir until thickened slightly.
  2. Add Velveeta in small pieces; mix until melted. Add black beans and stir until combined. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  3. Assemble salads with beef/bean mixture, fresh salsa, cheese crumbles, crushed tortillas, and sour cream.
Notes

Other possible add-ins would be bell peppers, corn, or avocados!

Happy happy weekend!

I hope you have every opportunity to eat beefy, cheesy Tex-Mex and call it a salad.


Leave a Comment

Rate this recipe:
 

{ 32 comments… read them below or add one }

Kathryn January 13, 2012 at 5:06 am

This is my favourite kind of salad ;)

Reply

Sara {Home is Where the Cookies Are} January 13, 2012 at 5:15 am

That doesn’t look THAT bad for you. Is it? Can I tell you a dirty little Velveta secret? I hope you have more, because if you don’t, you’re going to go out and buy it. Here it is: Velveta + Rotelle diced tomatoes with chile peppers + microwave = addictive cheese dip.
Go get some corn chips.

Reply

Lindsay January 13, 2012 at 7:32 am

Hello Friday night movie snack. Thanks!!

Reply

Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga January 13, 2012 at 5:57 am

Ok never had pepperjack velveeta…of all the cheeses in the world, velveeta even as a kid was not one I really liked..but I recently made pepperjack and salsa verde tofu…it was so.good. And I made it in the microwave.

This tex mex creation of yours looks awesome!

Reply

Lindsay January 13, 2012 at 7:31 am

Pepperjack and salsa verde tofu sounds great! I really hardly ever eat this kind of cheese (even though I do like it) and I had to get over my conscious when making this with good ol’ Velveeta, but that took, like, 5 seconds. :)

Reply

Jen @ pretty plate January 13, 2012 at 6:38 am

Wow this looks good!

Happy Friday

: ))
Jen

Reply

Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar January 13, 2012 at 6:42 am

Mmm I’m such a big fan of taco salad! Pure deliciousness!

Reply

Blog is the New Black January 13, 2012 at 6:54 am

Loving it!

Reply

Julie @ Table for Two January 13, 2012 at 6:56 am

This looks so delicious! I love taco salad and yours looks heavenly!

Reply

Carrie @ Kiss My Whisk January 13, 2012 at 7:43 am

I’m a sucker for Velveeta and Taco Salads…you just made my day!

Reply

Bev Weidner January 13, 2012 at 8:29 am

Hold me…..

Reply

emily (a nutritionist eats) January 13, 2012 at 9:52 am

How is your picture of beans, beef and cheese so good? Please share in book. :)

Reply

Lindsay January 13, 2012 at 5:15 pm

Ha! I’ll work on that one.

Reply

Heidi @ Food Doodles January 13, 2012 at 10:01 am

Yummm! I love meals like this :D I haven’t had Velveeta in SO long. I don’t even think pepperjack velveeta existed the last time I had it.

Reply

Gina @ Running to the Kitchen January 13, 2012 at 10:09 am

Somehow you managed to make beef,beans and cheese..all brownish things look appetizing. That is no small feat my friend!

Reply

Lindsay January 13, 2012 at 5:14 pm

Ha! I debated posting it, but I thought the deliciousness could kinda make its way through the screen… glad it worked!

Reply

jackie @ marin mama cooks January 13, 2012 at 11:07 am

I love anything mexican and this salad looks scrumptious!

Reply

Ana January 13, 2012 at 1:37 pm

It’s looks delicious and I was sold when I read that “Mex” was in the recipe title. :)

Reply

sarah @ sarah learns January 13, 2012 at 4:50 pm

this looks fabulous! can’t wait to try it.

also, what plug-in do you use to get the cute “pin it” button under some of your photos??

Reply

Lindsay January 13, 2012 at 5:12 pm

It’s a homemade button! Well, not homemade by me, but Bjork made it! Maybe I’ll have him do a guest post on how to make your own in the next few weeks.

Reply

Emily @ A Cambridge Story January 13, 2012 at 8:11 pm

Cotija cheese makes me VERY happy. Awesome salad.

Reply

Lindsay January 14, 2012 at 9:41 am

This was my first time actually buying it and I was seriously just breaking off chunks and munching on it while I cooked… It’s SO good!

Reply

TeoBucatar January 14, 2012 at 1:45 pm

Is my first visit and I like very much what I found here. Interesting recipes, beautiful photos .

Reply

Lindsay January 14, 2012 at 11:53 pm

Thanks so much!

Reply

Kelly @ Free spirit Food January 14, 2012 at 2:35 pm

Yum, I am going to have to try that kind of velveeta!

Reply

Emily @LivingLongfellow January 14, 2012 at 6:45 pm

I’ll have to try this. There’s something awesome tasting about Velveeta cheese.

Reply

Lindsay January 14, 2012 at 11:53 pm

I agree!

Reply

Baking Serendipity January 14, 2012 at 11:09 pm

Not a bad deal at all! I always make a potato cheese soup with Velveeta at some point in the winter, and the leftover cheese taunts me in the fridge afterward! I love this use for it :)

Reply

Soo @ Little Miss Fitness January 15, 2012 at 5:30 pm

Now, I can do this! :)

Reply

Sandy January 15, 2012 at 6:41 pm

Looks so yummy and comforting. Surely 2-3 oz. of Velveeta isn’t that bad is it? Well I hope not because I am putting this on my menu for the week.

Reply

Lindsay January 16, 2012 at 9:24 am

I agree. Moderation. ;)

Reply

TeenyLittleSuperChef January 16, 2012 at 5:03 pm

This looks absolutely delicious! I like to pride myself on having an incredibly “clean” diet, devoid of all things processed, but sometimes you gotta live a little and eat some Velveeta. No shame in that… although I have a feeling my family would shudder if they heard me actually admit that out loud. It’ll just have to be our little secret :)

Reply

Previous post:

Next post: