Nacho tacos are a fun and delicious fusion dish that combines the flavors of nachos and tacos. They are a great option for a casual meal, party, or as a tasty twist on your usual taco night. Here’s a simple recipe for making Nacho Tacos:
Ingredients:
For the Taco Shells:
- 8 small flour or corn tortillas (or hard taco shells, if preferred)
- 1 cup tortilla chips (preferably nacho cheese-flavored)
- Cooking spray or a small amount of oil (for crisping the shells)
For the Filling:
- 500 g (1 lb) ground beef, chicken, or ground turkey (or a plant-based meat substitute)
- 1 packet taco seasoning (or homemade seasoning: chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper)
- 1/2 cup water (for taco seasoning)
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or Mexican blend cheese)
- 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup sliced jalapeños (optional)
- 1 small red onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup lettuce, shredded
- 1/2 cup sour cream (optional)
- Salsa (optional)
- Guacamole (optional)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Nacho Shells:
- Option 1 (Using Tortillas): To make the nacho-inspired taco shells, crush a handful of tortilla chips (about 1 cup) into small pieces. Heat a skillet over medium heat and lightly spray with cooking oil. Place a tortilla in the skillet, and cook for 1-2 minutes on each side until slightly crispy. Once done, remove it from the pan and let it cool for a minute. Then, sprinkle the crushed tortilla chips over the shell while it’s still warm, pressing gently to make them stick.
- Option 2 (Using Hard Taco Shells): If you’re using store-bought taco shells, you can just bake them according to the package directions and top them with crushed nacho chips for the nacho effect.
2. Prepare the Filling:
- Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the ground beef (or your choice of protein) until browned, breaking it up with a spoon.
- Drain any excess fat, then stir in the taco seasoning and water. Cook according to the packet instructions (usually simmer for 5 minutes).
3. Assemble the Nacho Tacos:
- Once your taco shells are ready and the meat is seasoned, it’s time to assemble.
- Spoon the seasoned meat mixture into each taco shell.
- Top with shredded cheddar cheese (or a Mexican cheese blend), allowing it to melt into the hot meat.
- Add your favorite taco toppings such as diced tomatoes, sliced jalapeños, red onion, and shredded lettuce.
4. Optional Toppings:
- Serve the nacho tacos with sides of sour cream, salsa, and guacamole. You can also sprinkle extra nacho cheese or drizzle melted cheese over the top for even more nacho flavor.
5. Serve:
- Serve your nacho tacos warm and enjoy the crunchy, cheesy, and flavorful dish!
Variations:
- Vegetarian Nacho Tacos: Use black beans or grilled veggies instead of meat.
- Spicy Nacho Tacos: Add hot sauce, chili flakes, or extra jalapeños to kick up the heat.
- Nacho Supreme: Top with a mix of sour cream, salsa, guacamole, and a sprinkle of cilantro for a more indulgent version.
These Nacho Tacos are an easy and tasty twist on traditional tacos, perfect for satisfying your cravings for both nachos and tacos in one delicious dish!