Description
Enjoy a homemade take on Taco Bell’s Cheesy Gordita Crunch featuring a perfect fusion of soft flour tortillas and crunchy taco shells sealed with melted cheese, stuffed with seasoned ground beef, fresh lettuce, diced tomatoes, and a spicy ranch sauce for a flavorful Tex-Mex experience.
Ingredients
Meat & Seasoning
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning
Tortillas & Shells
- 6 hard taco shells
- 6 soft flour tortillas
Cheese & Toppings
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
- ½ cup shredded lettuce
- ½ cup diced tomato
- ¼ cup spicy ranch dressing or chipotle mayo
Instructions
- Cook the Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain excess fat, then stir in the taco seasoning packet along with a little water as directed on the seasoning package. Simmer until the beef is well coated and the flavors have melded, about 5 minutes.
- Prepare the Tortillas and Cheese: Warm the soft flour tortillas gently in a pan or microwave until pliable. Sprinkle about 2 tablespoons of shredded cheese evenly on one side of each tortilla.
- Form the Gordita Shells: Place one hard taco shell onto the cheese side of each warm tortilla. Press gently to fuse the hard shell to the tortilla by melting the cheese, which acts as a glue, making the two shells stick together securely. You can do this in a warm pan for a minute or two until the cheese has melted.
- Fill the Gorditas: Open the fused shells carefully and spoon the seasoned beef evenly into each. Add shredded lettuce and diced tomatoes over the beef, then drizzle with the spicy ranch or chipotle mayo for that signature kick.
- Serve: Serve immediately while warm and enjoy your homemade cheesy gordita crunches!
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with plant-based ground meat or seasoned beans.
- You can customize the spicy ranch by mixing ranch dressing with chipotle powder for more control over heat.
- To add extra crunch, lightly toast the soft tortillas before assembling.
- Use freshly shredded cheese for best melting quality.
- Serve with salsa or guacamole for additional flavor options.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
