Slow Cooker Nachos

So anyone who knows hubs and me pretty well know there are a few staples that much be present in our home at all times, or we believe we can't function.  Those include, but are not limited to,

1. corn chips
2. salsa

NOW I know its not super healthy, and I am okay with this, as it is super delicious.  We love burritos, and tacos (in most forms) when you use the McCormick taco mix packs (that are literally like 80 cents at the grocery store...) it takes you no time to make tacos.  Got a crazy night that you don't really feel like cook much?  Tacos.   Want a meal with a basic ingredient everyone will eat? Tacos.  Got a husband who loves Mexican food?  Tacos.  Tacos will always be the answer.

We have tried making them with ground turkey, chopped chicken, ground beef, skirt steak, you name it, we've probably tried it.

Recently we had a day that we knew we would be home all day and I could use my crock pot (my favorite lazy day tool) and I went, "HONEY! We're having tacos tonight!" and used my crock pot to make the food because then I could do all the cleaning and packing I needed to for that day and not worry about browning meat in a pan, or mixing ingredients right.  Also, THERES NO WAY TO GET THIS WRONG!  You can literally do whatever you want with additional ingredients and it will probably still taste good even if it looks absolutely disgusting (my husband told me our mixture looked like dog food, and guess what? he ate all of it so he must love dog food...)

So! Here is one of the easiest recipes you are ever going to make for one of those busy "I'm stuck home all day" days.

This recipe will feed about 3-4 people if everyone has no serving.  It also makes a really good party dip with just chips scooping individually.

Ingredients:

1lb ground meat (we used beef)

1 can of chopped tomatoes (you may also chop and toss in your own if you are anti canned goods...)

1 package of chopped peppers (that "sauteed vegetables" package in the veggie aisle, or you can chop your own)

1 packet of McCormicks taco seasoning.

   Use packet for water amount instructions, do not add additional water.

Whatever else you enjoy in your tacos!

Plus one or all of the following depending on your tastes.

Nacho chips

Tortilla Wraps

Taco Shells

(these can all be homemade or pre-packaged, on a lazy day I encourage packaged...)

Slow cooker times: Low heat will take about 6 hours.  Or you can cook it at high heat for 3 hours and switch to low heat for the last hour and then it takes 4 hours.  I should have done the 6 hours, because it was on warm for about an hour after it was done as it was finished cooking at like 430 and we don't generally eat at our house until 6...

Easiest instructions ever, ready?

Prep:

Chop the peppers

4 hour cooking

Set slow cooker to high and add peppers, tomatoes and meat.  I placed the tomatoes on and around the meat.

Wait an hour.  Stir, because it will start to brown in places, and this will allow all ingredients to mix together nicely.

Add the taco seasoning and water.  Stir.

Wait 2 more hours (you can occasionally stir during this, I did because I enjoy stirring food...)

After 3 hours, switch to low and give it another stir.  If you have anything else you'd like to add to the mixture, do it now.  I added about a quarter cup of cheese, just to get it cheesy, but hubs and I like tacos with cheese so...

pre-seasoning tomatoes and meat!

finished product! Yum!!

If you are ready to eat after 4 hours, SERVE THAT UP!!  if not, switch your crockpot to warm, and wait until you're ready to eat.  Give it a good stir before serving and eat it however you want.

With Chips: Put some chips in a bowl, put the mixture on top, add any other toppings you like

Burrito, lay it out flat, stick it in, add other stuff, fold it up.

Nachos!

THE POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESS!!

For 6 hours, add the water and seasoning at hour 5, or simply add about 10 minutes before you plan to serve, so the seasoning and juices can blend together or it might not taste the same...

If you do feel like making your own chips, you can slice up some tortilla wraps, add some drizzles of oil, and all purpose seasoning, bake at 350 for about 10 minutes (or until your chips are kind of crunch, but not burnt...) and eat with those!

Happy Cooking!

taxikab.