These homemade Doritos nachos are inspired by the Dorito tacos you can get at Taco Bell. Dorito chips topped with seasoned ground turkey and cheese are a little healthier and just as good as the fast-food version. Plus, they’re easy to make.
A few months ago, Taco Bell launched their Doritos Tacos.
I’m going to admit that I wanted to try it. DH actually looked at me with disgust. This comes from a guy who spent his college years eating canned Vienna sausages or boxed macaroni and cheese and used to ask for McDonald’s gift cards for his birthday. He’s become such a food snob.
Anyhow, I love Doritos and yes, I do like those cheap crunchy tacos from Taco Bell even though they have no semblance to Mexican food. So, the idea of combining both sounded really good.
Well, when we finally tried it, I was disappointed. Perhaps it’s the Taco Bell I went to, but I found it to be too salty. The almost neon orange Doritos taco shell had even more cheese powder than a regular Doritos chip. Combined with the salty sauced meat and there was nothing to balance it out.
So, we haven’t been back for more, but the other day I thought, why not make my own? But instead of tacos, I decided to make Dorito nachos instead. I wanted to replicate the flavor of the tacos I imagined in my mind but as nachos instead.
I bought a packet of dry taco seasoning mix, some ground beef, simmered it at home. Then I put them on individual Doritos chips, sprinkled some shredded cheese on top.
These delicious homemade Doritos nachos weren’t nearly as salty as the tacos I bought. I also added less seasoning to the meat than I usually do since the Doritos have so much sodium in them already.
Ingredients
- Doritos
- Lean ground turkey or beef
- Taco seasoning
- Shredded cheddar cheese
More Topping Ideas
I like to keep mine simple, but you can add other toppings to make loaded Doritos nachos.
- Sour cream
- Sliced black olives
- Diced avocado
- Salsa
- Guacamole
- Sliced green onion
- Diced red onions
- Jalapenos
- Salsa or pico de gallo
Steps
Cook the meat in a pan and then add the taco seasoning following the instructions on the packet. I only use a little more than half the packet.
Spread tortilla chips out onto a plate and spoon the taco meat on top of the chips. Sprinkle the cheese over the top and serve.
Recipe Notes
I thought these Dorito nachos were good and probably healthier than the tacos served at Taco Bell. Then I thought about other ways to make the recipe even healthier.
I exchanged ground beef for lean ground turkey. Tasted less like Taco Bell, but still very tasty.
Then I went a step further and replaced the nacho cheese Doritos with nacho cheese tortilla Pop chips. The cheese powder on the Pop chips tortillas tastes just like the ones used to season the Doritos.
You could use Cool Ranch Doritos, too.
The chips have fewer calories and fat too. The texture isn’t exactly the same since the tortilla chips are popped, but they are still really darn tasty. And they still tasted really great with the turkey.
This was a fun snack to make and it’s always good to have an easy nacho recipe on hand. I’d make these again for a party or when I’m craving Dorito tacos.
More Recipes to Try
Doritos Tacos
Ingredients
- 2 individual-sided bags Nacho Cheese flavored Doritos or Pop Chips Tortillas
- 1 lb lean ground turkey or ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- shredded cheddar cheese for topping
Instructions
- Brown meat in pan and follow directions on seasoning packet. You may want to avoid adding the entire packet of seasoning since the Doritos or Tortillas will be salty. I used a little more than half the packet.
- Spread tortilla chips out onto a plate. Spoon a tablespoon of taco meat onto chip. Sprinkle top with cheese. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
The nutrition information provided are only estimates based on an online nutritional calculator. I am not a certified nutritionist. Please consult a professional nutritionist or doctor for accurate information and any dietary restrictions and concerns you may have.
HAHA I cracked up at the paragraph about DH and McD’s gift cards. Where did you find pop tortilla chips?
Oh I forgot to link it. I actually found them for the first time on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Popchips-4-Flavor-Tortilla-Variety-1-Ounce/dp/B008IY5EFQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1349303127&sr=8-1&keywords=pop+chips+tortilla
I think I also some at Cost Plus the other day.
wow, your DH has certainly come a long way from his college days eating habits. 🙂
when my husband was in college, he and his friends would usually eat at carl’s jr or arby’s. their refrigerator was usually empty or would be filled with “science experiments”.
Lol, DH’s fridge was like that too. I like to tease him about how much of a food snob he’s become. hehee
Oh kirbie u are too funny 😉
=)