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Tex-Mex

Try these bold and spicy recipes at your next big fiesta!

April 2025

Southwest Ranch Taco Salad

recipe courtesy of Family Features

Ingredients:

  • ½ head romaine lettuce
  • 1 pt. cherry tomatoes
  • 2 small avocados
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 lb. ground beef (80/20 ground chuck)
  • 2 teaspoons taco seasoning
  • ¼ cup water
  • 1 can (15.5 oz.) black beans
  • 1 ½ cups canned corn
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, plus additional for serving (optional), divided
  • 1 cup Southwest Ranch dressing
  • 6 oz. tortilla chips

Directions:

Coarsely chop lettuce, halve cherry tomatoes, and pit, peel and slice avocados. Set aside. In large frying pan over medium-high heat, heat olive oil. Brown ground beef, stirring occasionally, 4-5 minutes. Add taco seasoning and water; cook according to package directions, 5-8 minutes, or until meat is thoroughly cooked. Drain and rinse black beans. Set aside. Divide lettuce among serving bowls or plates. Top with ground beef, tomatoes, avocados, black beans, corn, cheese and 2 tablespoons cilantro. Tuck in tortilla chips. Drizzle with Southwest Ranch dressing and sprinkle with additional cilantro, if desired.

Mexican Lasagna

recipe courtesy of Family Features/Culinary.net

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb. ground beef
  • 1 can (15 oz.) black beans
  • 1 can (4 oz.) chiles
  • 2 cans (14 oz. each) fire-roasted diced tomatoes, divided
  • 1 can (15 oz.) whole kernel corn
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
  • 6 cups shredded cheese
  • 18 taco-sized tortillas of choice
  • fresh cilantro, for garnish
  • sour cream, for serving

Directions:

Heat oven to 350 degrees. In large skillet, brown ground beef; drain grease. Add black beans, chiles with juices, 1 can tomatoes with juices, drained corn, garlic powder, onion powder and taco seasoning. Open remaining can of tomatoes; take out half and set aside. Add remaining half with juices to beef mixture. Mix well and turn off heat. In 9-by-13-inch pan, line bottom with six tortillas, slightly overlapping. Cover with 1/3 of beef mixture and top with 2 cups shredded cheese. Repeat with remaining ingredients then top with reserved tomatoes. Cover pan with foil and bake 30-40 minutes. Garnish with cilantro and serve with sour cream. Serves 4-6.


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Because of volume we cannot guarantee publication of all recipes. Reader recipes are submitted in good faith. Cooperative Living cannot warrant results.