Easy Cheesy Walking Tacos in a Bag
A quick and easy recipe for cheesy walking tacos served in individual chip bags, perfect for snacks, casual gatherings, or fun lunches.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Snack
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef (85% lean preferred)
- 2 tbsp taco seasoning (store-bought or homemade blend of cumin, chili powder, garlic powder)
- 4 individual bags mini nacho cheese tortilla chips (e.g., Fritos Scoops)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (sharp cheddar recommended)
- ½ cup cheese sauce (optional, homemade or pre-made queso)
- ½ cup diced tomatoes (fresh or canned, drained)
- 2 tbsp chopped green onions
- ¼ cup sour cream (optional)
- Fresh cilantro sprigs (optional, for garnish)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and break apart with a spoon. Cook until no longer pink and slightly browned, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Lower heat to medium. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons taco seasoning evenly over the beef. Stir well to coat. Add about ¼ cup water and simmer until liquid mostly evaporates, about 2 minutes.
- (Optional) Prepare cheese sauce by melting 2 tablespoons butter, stirring in 2 tablespoons flour, then gradually whisking in ½ cup milk until thickened. Stir in shredded cheese until smooth.
- Open mini chip bags and gently crush chips inside to make room. Spoon seasoned beef evenly into each bag over the chips.
- Drizzle cheese sauce over beef or sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese directly. Add diced tomatoes, chopped green onions, and a dollop of sour cream if desired. Garnish with cilantro.
- Serve immediately with forks or spoons for easy eating right from the bag.
Notes
Use sturdy mini nacho chips like Fritos Scoops to prevent sogginess. Assemble tacos just before serving to keep chips crunchy. For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with seasoned black beans or lentils. Cheese sauce is optional but adds creaminess. Leftovers should be stored separately to maintain chip crunch.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 walking taco bag
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 28
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 22
Keywords: walking tacos, cheesy tacos, quick snacks, easy taco recipe, family-friendly, handheld tacos, taco in a bag