Taco Salad in a Crispy Cheese Bowl Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 cups grated Parmesan cheese (about 8 ounces)

• ¾ pound grass-fed ground beef
• 2 tablespoons diced yellow onion
• 1 cup chopped yellow, red, and/or green bell pepper
• 1 tablespoon Taco Seasoning
• 1 cup salsa
• ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 4 cups chopped red leaf lettuce
• 2 cups diced yellow tomatoes
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (about 4 ounces)
• ¼ cup chopped green onions
• ¼ cup sliced black olives
• Small handful of fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish (optional)
• 6 tablespoons sour cream, for garnish (optional)

1. Preheat the oven to 375° F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
Make the cheese bowls
2. Spread ⅓ cup of the Parmesan on the parchment in a 6-inch circle. Work in batches of 2 at a time so you can form the bowls before the cheese hardens.
3. Place the baking sheet in the oven and allow the cheese to brown for 9 to 10 minutes. Wearing protective gloves, remove the pan from the oven, grab onto the parchment, and flip each Parmesan circle over an upside down 5-inch bowl. With your hands protected by gloves and working quickly because the cheese hardens as it cools, gently press on the circle to shape the pliable cheese around the bowl. Peel off the parchment paper and let the Parmesan bowls cool about 5 minutes before removing them from the bowl. If the Parmesan hardens before you can form the bowl, place it back in the oven for 1 minute to soften the cheese and try again.
4. Repeat the process of browning the cheese and forming the bowls twice more, for a total of 6 bowls.
Make the salad
5. In a large skillet, cook the beef, yellow onion, and bell pepper with the taco seasoning over medium heat until beef is browned, stirring to crumble the meat. Add the salsa and cilantro, then turn the heat to low simmer to keep warm.
6. To serve, place about ⅔ cup of the lettuce in each cheese bowl and top with meat mixture. Sprinkle each serving with diced tomatoes, cheese, green onions, and black olives. Garnish with cilantro and sour cream, if desired.