Homemade Cheesy Gordita Crunch

Instructions

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   **Spicy Ranch Sauce:** First, char the jalapeno on a hot cast iron skillet or grill (we did this on our cast iron pan over medium-high heat). Using metal tongs, hold the pepper against the pan for a few minutes until charred. Rotate, then hold it against the pan again and char. Repeat until all sides of the pepper are slightly charred.

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   Next, add the jalapeno to a blender along with the ranch dressing, chipotle in adobo, and cayenne pepper. Blend on high speed until smooth, then transfer to a small dish and refrigerate until it's time to assemble the tacos.

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   **Taco Beef:** Next, brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat, about 7 to 10 minutes.

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   While the beef cooks, combine chili powder, paprika, cumin, cayenne, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt in a small bowl to make your taco seasoning.

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   Once the beef is cooked through, drain any excess grease and return to heat. Sprinkle with taco seasoning, then add the water and stir until combined.

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   Bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer until sauce is thickened, about 3 to 4 minutes. Set aside.

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   **Cheesy Gordita Crunch Shells:** Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line two large baking sheets with foil.

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   Lay flour tortillas flat on the baking sheets (3 on each pan). Top each tortilla with an even layer of shredded Mexican-blend cheese, about 1/3 cup per tortilla.

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   Bake until cheese is melted but tortillas are still soft, about 5 minutes (keep an eye on these so they don't get crispy!). Remove from the oven and then carefully wrap corn taco shells in cheesy flour tortillas, working quickly to use the hot cheese as "glue." Here's the best way to do this: start by placing the corn taco shells down flat on the cheesy tortillas while they're still on the baking sheets, lining up the edges. Gently press down on the inside of the taco shell to get it to stick to the flour tortilla. Then, carefully flip the taco shell (with the flour tortilla) over to the other side and press on the inside of the taco shell again to complete the seal. Transfer completed shells to taco holders for easy assembly.

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    **Assembly:** First, fill each taco shell with a layer of ground beef, then top with a generous layer of spicy ranch sauce.

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    Next, top with a small handful of shredded lettuce, then finish with a sprinkle of shredded cheddar cheese.

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    Serve immediately with Taco Bell hot sauce!