Homemade nachos using leftover taco meat with a spicy cheese sauce
Might call this “using what we got to make what we want” series because these nachos are just that. Between gas prices and food prices, we are using leftovers any way we can to make sure we aren’t wasting food. You can make these using any protein and toppings of your choice. Make the cheese sauce and fresh chips and you have an amazing snack or meal in under 30 minutes!
I used leftover ground turkey taco meat which is usually not enough for tacos but just enough meat for nachos. I let the meat sit on the counter to take the chill off, while I prepared the chips. You can use beef, chicken, ground turkey, shrimp, crab, or a plant based meat alternative for protein.
This part is a major key. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE MAKE YOUR CORN TORTILLA CHIPS! They really make this recipe and are cheap and easy to make! All you need is corn tortillas, salt, and cooking oil. Slice the tortillas into triangles, fry in oil on medium heat, salt immediately after frying. Simple. If you already have store bought chips at home, by all means use them. They will be good. Next time you go to the supermarket, pick up a pack of corn tortillas.
Next, I made the cheese sauce. This cheese sauce is what takes these nachos over the top. The combination of marscapone cheese, heavy cream, cheddar cheese, and spices make the sauce luscious, spicy, and smooth. The sauce thickens when cooled but is easily reheated with a splash of cream or water.
After the sauce and chips are done, assembling the nachos are a breeze. I layered the meat over fresh homemade corn tortilla chips and topped the meat with a spicy cheese sauce. I added more cheddar cheese to melt on top and finished with grated cotija cheese, sweet pickled, jalapeños & lime crema.
These were so good & would be even better with my homemade guacamole and fresh cilantro. Make these using your leftover meat from taco tuesday & add any toppings you like!
Easy Leftover Nachos
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb ground turkey or meat of choice I use leftover taco meat
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp marscapone cheese or cream cheese
- 2 cup cheddar cheese divided
- corn tortilla chips freshly made or store bought
- 1 tsp hot chili powder
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp chipotle powder
Instructions
- Make corn tortilla chips or use store bought
Make Cheese Sauce
- In a pot, add heavy cream, seasonings, and bring to a simmer
- Turn off the heat, add cheddar cheese gradually, stirring to combine
- The sauce is ready when cheese is melted
Assemble Nachos
- Layer corn tortilla chips, meat, cheese sauce, cheddar cheese
- Bake in the oven at 400 degrees for 15 minutes or until cheese is melted
- Remove from oven, add toppings of choice and Enjoy
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