Quinoa Taco Salad

Hearty, filling, comforting.

Not usually words I associate with a salad.

This salad is different though. It's those 3 things and more. 

It's like eating a warm and tasty taco minus the shell.

The servings are a very good size (this makes 7 servings) too, which doesn't hurt either. 

According to Myfitness pal per serving is:

400 calories, 50 carbs, 13 fat, and 21 protein. 

So tasty. I originally had this as a 4 or 5 serving recipe but the portions were HUMONGOUS and I decided 7 servings was more realistic. The portions are still very generous at 7 servings. 

Plus, this only takes 20 minutes from start to finish. 

*Win*

Quinoa Taco Salad

Ingredients

1 cup quinoa (uncooked)

2/3 cup water

1 lb extra lean ground beef

1/4 cup onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 Tbsp Taco Seasoning

2 large tomatoes, diced

1 can (15oz) black beans, rinsed & drained

8 Romaine lettuce hearts, chopped

1 cup corn

1 avocado, diced

2/3 cup aged cheddar, shredded

Directions

Cook the quinoa according to package directions; using the amount of water listed in my recipe (2/3 cup) instead of the full amount.

While the quinoa is cooking, in a large frying pan, cook the beef, onions, and garlic until beef is no longer pink. Sprinkle with the Taco Seasoning. Stir in the tomatoes and black beans. Turn heat down to medium high and let simmer until quinoa is done.

Add the quinoa into the pan with the beef. Turn off heat and let the mixture sit for a few minutes to absorb the remaining liquid in the pan.

Divide the chopped lettuce evenly among 7 plates.

Top each plate of lettuce with the quinoa/beef mixture.

Now sprinkle each with plate with the corn, avocado, and cheese. 

Serve immediately. 

This is great to bring to work the following day too. Just keep the beef/quinoa mixture separate from the rest of the ingredients until ready to eat and then reheat the quinoa/beef for a minute in the microwave, add to the salad, and serve. 

You can, of course, add more of the toppings as you like but it will change the nutritional count - I threw a few more raw chopped tomatoes on top of mine. You could also add a little salsa if you like. Make it even more taco-y. 

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