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If you’re anything like me, with a tender spot for both cheese and innovative taco forms, you’ve probably been curious about making your version of this Taco Bell Queso Crisp Taco right in your kitchen.
Table of Contents
How to make Taco Bell Queso Crisp Taco
Taco Bell Queso crisp Taco is a new menu item featuring a shell made entirely of crispy baked cheddar cheese.
Ingredients:
- Cheddar Cheese: 2 cups of shredded cheddar (You can also experiment with other melting cheeses like Monterey Jack or a Mexican blend for different flavors).
- Ground Beef: 1 lb, seasoned with taco seasoning.
- Taco Seasoning: 1 packet or about 3 tablespoons of homemade taco seasoning.
- Toppings: Lettuce, diced tomatoes, onions, cilantro, sour cream, and any other favorite taco toppings.
- Condiments: Taco sauce or salsa, as per your preference.
Instructions:
Prepare the Cheese Shell:
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Prepare Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat to prevent sticking.
- Shape Cheese Circles: Arrange the shredded cheese into small, thin circles (about 5-6 inches in diameter) on the baking sheet. Make sure they’re not too thick to ensure they crisp up nicely.
- Bake Cheese: Place the cheese in the oven and bake for 5-7 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown and the center is bubbly.
- Form Taco Shells: Quickly and carefully use a spatula to lift the cheese circles and place them over a spoon handle or any cylinder-like object suspended between two cups, forming a taco shell shape. Allow them to cool and harden into shape (about a minute).
Prepare Taco Filling:
- Cook the Ground Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until it’s browned and crumbly, about 8-10 minutes. Drain any excess grease.
- Season the Beef: Sprinkle the taco seasoning over the cooked beef and stir in about 2 tablespoons of water. Let it simmer until the water has evaporated and the beef is well seasoned.
- Set Aside: Remove from heat and prepare to assemble your tacos.
Assemble the Tacos:
- Fill Shells: Carefully fill the crispy cheese taco shells with seasoned ground beef.
- Add Toppings: Top with diced lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and a dollop of sour cream. Drizzle with your preferred taco sauce or salsa and sprinkle cilantro on top.
Tips for Perfect Queso Crisp Tacos:
- Cheese Choices: Experiment with different types of cheese but make sure they are good melting types to get the perfect crisp.
- Watch the Oven: Watch the cheese as it bakes, as it can quickly go from perfect to burnt.
- Work Quickly: Once the cheese is out of the oven, you must work quickly to shape it into shells before it hardens.
- Seasoning Variations: You can tweak the taco seasoning to include more chili, cumin, or garlic powder based on your flavor preferences.
- Serving Suggestion: Serve immediately after assembling to enjoy the crispness of the cheese shells.
Ingredients Substitutes
Creating a Taco Bell Queso Crisp Taco at home allows for customization according to personal tastes, dietary restrictions, or simply based on the ingredients you have at hand.
For the Queso:
Traditionally, queso for crisp tacos can be made with a variety of cheeses and ingredients, but if you’re looking for alternatives, here are some options:
Original Ingredient: Velveeta or American cheese
Substitutes:
- For a Real Cheese Option, Try combining equal parts of shredded cheddar and Monterrey Jack cheeses, melted with a little bit of milk or cream for creaminess. This mix provides a good melt with a more authentic cheese flavor.
- For a Dairy-Free Option, Use a cashew or almond-based vegan cheese, preferably one designed to melt well. Nutritional yeast can be added for a cheesy flavor boost.
For the Taco Shells:
If you’re wanting to substitute traditional crispy taco shells or wish to make a version closer to Taco Bell’s Queso Crisp Taco:
Original Ingredient: Pre-made crispy taco shells
Substitutes:
- For a Homemade Option, Use small corn tortillas, lightly brush them with oil, and bake them draped over the oven rack at 375°F (190°C) for about 7-10 minutes until crispy but still pliable.
- For a Low-Carb Option, you can make cheese shells by baking small rounds of shredded cheddar or a mixture of cheddar and parmesan on a silicone baking mat or parchment paper at 375°F (190°C) for about 5-7 minutes until they are melted and slightly browned. Cool for a minute, then drape over a utensil or mold to form a taco shape as they cool.
For the Meat:
Taco Bell commonly uses seasoned ground beef in their tacos, but you have several options here:
Original Ingredient: Ground beef
Substitutes:
- For a Leaner Option: Try ground turkey or chicken for a lower fat content. You can season it the same way as you would beef.
- For a Vegetarian/Vegan Option: Lentils, textured vegetable protein (TVP), or a ground meat substitute can mimic the texture of cooked ground beef once seasoned.
Seasoning:
The distinctive Taco Bell flavor comes from their seasoning mix. If you’re looking for an alternative:
Original Ingredient: Pre-packaged taco seasoning
Substitutes:
- For a Homemade Option: Combine chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, crushed red pepper flakes, dried oregano, paprika, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper. Adjust the proportions to taste.
- For a Lower Sodium Option: Making your own seasoning as suggested above allows you to control the salt content, a benefit over many pre-packaged options.
Final Thoughts
Creating your Taco Bell Queso Crisp Taco at home not only satisfies your fast-food cravings but also offers a fun, customizable cooking experience.
More Taco Bell Recipes:
- Copycat Taco Bell Beefy Crunch Burrito Recipe
- Copycat Taco Bell Churro Birthday Cake Recipe
- Homemade Taco Bell Steak Nacho Fries Recipe
- Copycat Taco Bell Dirty Baja Blast Recipe
- Copycat Taco Bell Cheesy Dipping Burrito Recipe
Ingredients
- Cheddar Cheese: 2 cups of shredded cheddar
- Ground Beef: 1 lb, seasoned with taco seasoning.
- Taco Seasoning: 1 packet
- Toppings: Lettuce, diced tomatoes
- Condiments: Taco sauce
Instructions
Prepare the Cheese Shell:
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Prepare Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat to prevent sticking.
- Shape Cheese Circles: Arrange the shredded cheese into small, thin circles (about 5-6 inches in diameter) on the baking sheet. Make sure they’re not too thick to ensure they crisp up nicely.
- Bake Cheese: Place the cheese in the oven and bake for 5-7 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown and the center is bubbly.
- Form Taco Shells: Quickly and carefully use a spatula to lift the cheese circles and place them over a spoon handle or any cylinder-like object suspended between two cups, forming a taco shell shape. Allow them to cool and harden into shape (about a minute).
Prepare Taco Filling:
- Cook the Ground Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until it’s browned and crumbly, about 8-10 minutes. Drain any excess grease.
- Season the Beef: Sprinkle the taco seasoning over the cooked beef and stir in about 2 tablespoons of water. Let it simmer until the water has evaporated and the beef is well seasoned.
- Set Aside: Remove from heat and prepare to assemble your tacos.
Assemble the Tacos:
- Fill Shells: Carefully fill the crispy cheese taco shells with seasoned ground beef.
- Add Toppings: Top with diced lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and a dollop of sour cream. Drizzle with your preferred taco sauce or salsa and sprinkle cilantro on top.
