I think everyone has a version of this in their recipe arsenal. I changed up my original recipe yesterday and it is not my new favorite way to make it.
I used a store brand Salsa Con Queso Cheese Dip to replace half of the cheddar cheese which saved me money as the whole jar was only $2.69. Not only did it save me money, it added the most amazing flavor and saved me some other ingredients as well. The dip has diced up jalapenos, red peppers and diced tomatoes, etc. so I didn't have to add any other kind of veg for flavor, making this just a 5-ingredient recipe.
Another money-saver was using store brand nacho chips instead of Doritos. The Doritos cost $4.99 a bag where the store brand was only $2.99. They were just as good in this recipe.
One of the things that made it easier this time around is a made the taco meat right in the crockpot. I threw a frozen pound of ground beef in the crockpot and set in on high. I came back 20 minutes later to start scraping off the brown bits breaking it up into little crumbles. I did other things, living life while it cooked, and would come back every 20 minutes and do the same. After about 70 minutes the meat was browned and perfect. I added my taco seasonings and let it cook another 20 minutes and it was done. I will do this from now on instead of defrosting then having to stand at the stove and constantly stir to brown the ground beef. It takes a little longer but I got so much done while it was cooking!
I hope you will give this recipe a try, even if you have your own version. I think the oozy,, f!avor bomb that is the queso dip will blow you away,.
I served mine with sour cream. Yes, it is a pretty big dollop of Daisy, but I love it with this recipe. Please make it your own and top it with whatever you love. You can also add a layer of beans or corn or both to the casserole itself to change it up to your liking.
Crockpot Dorito Mexican Casserole
Ingredients:
1 pound of ground beef
1 jar of Salsa Con Queso Cheese Dip
1 cup of shreadded cheddar cheese
1 package of taco seasoning (or your own)
1 regular size bag nacho cheese chips (9.25 ounces)
Instructions:
1. Brown ground beef. You can do this on the stovetop or in the crockpot like described above. If not using a lean ground beef, drain the fat from the meat but keep a little left in the pan, like 3 or 4 tablespoons. If you don't want to leave any of the grease, add 1/4 up of water.
2. Add taco seasoning to the meat and cook per instructions. If you would like to make your own taco seasoning, I will post my recipe below. I swear to you, it is the best seasoning I have ever used.
3. Open the nacho cheese chips. While still in the bag, use your hands to crush them up a little. You want bite size pieces so don't crush them too, too much. Pour almost half of the bag into the bottom of the crockpot.
4. Put half of the taco meat on top of the chips. Pour half of the queso on top of the taco meat.
5. Add the other half of the chips, leaving just a little to sprinkle on top so people know what they are getting when you serve it. Again, top with the rest of the taco meat and the queso.
6. Sprinkle the top with the cheddar cheese and the little bit of nacho cheese chips you have left.
7. Cook on high for 2 hours or on low for 4 hours.
BONUS RECIPE!
Taco Seasoning
Thsi recipe is good for one pound of ground beef. It looks like a lot of seasoning but I can assure you it is the perfect amount.
2 Tablespoons of chili powder
2 teaspoons of cumin
2 teaspoons of garlic powder
2 teaspoons of onion powder
1 teaspoon of salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper