Haystacks: Broken-Down Tacos Done Right

You’ve heard me talk about it many times in previous posts, and now it’s finally time to share it with you — my family’s Haystacks. If you can even call it a recipe. It’s the simplest dish I can think of and the very first thing I ever made on my own. So sit back, relax, and enjoy.

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My Very First Dish

You may have heard this story before, but in case you haven’t, here it is again.

It all started when I was 14. My mom wanted us kids to start learning how to cook around that age, and when it was my turn, I already knew exactly what I wanted to make — the same thing my siblings had made before me: Haystacks.

Now, yes, I did need help. It was the very first dish I ever cooked, and I wasn’t 100% sure how to make it (believe it or not). But I powered through.

I got to work, grabbing the ground beef and the Spanish rice. After one of my parents told me what to start with, I began browning the ground beef. These days, my dad and I always add onions to our beef — but back then? Nope. I didn’t like onions. At all. (That has definitely changed, but that’s a story for another day.)

Once the ground beef was almost done, I started on the rice. It was instant rice because, well… I was still learning. But before I knew it, everything was ready. The meat was cooked, the rice was done, and it was finally time to eat.

Why My Family Loves Haystacks

Haystacks have been a staple in my family for as long as I can remember. They’ve always been a favorite, and for good reason.

They’re simple. They take less than ten minutes to make. And, of course, they’re delicious.

It’s one of those meals that doesn’t try to be fancy — it just works. And sometimes, that’s exactly what you need.

How To Build Haystacks

One of the best things about Haystacks is that there’s no rhyme or reason to building them. You don’t have to follow any rules — just focus on what ingredients you want and how you like them layered.

At the base, you’ll need Doritos, ground beef, and Spanish rice. From there, the toppings are totally up to you. Some popular options include shredded lettuce, black olives, shredded cheddar cheese, salsa, black beans, or sour cream.

That’s the beauty of Haystacks — you can make them exactly how you want.

Now for the fun part (right next to eating them, of course). Start by crushing Doritos onto your plate. Then add your toppings in whatever order you like. My personal go-to is beef first, then rice, followed by shredded lettuce, black olives, lots of cheese, and finally sour cream.

See? Simple.

Haystacks are basically broken-down tacos — and honestly, that’s part of their charm.

Doritos or Tortilla Chips?

When making Haystacks, you’re faced with one very important decision: Doritos or tortilla chips?

If you want a more flavorful Haystack, go with Doritos. If you prefer something saltier and more neutral, tortilla chips might be your pick. In the end, it really comes down to personal preference.

As for me? I’ll always choose Doritos. I’ve tried tortilla chips, and they just don’t hit the same. Growing up with Doritos on my Haystacks kind of sealed the deal — and I’ve never looked back.