Healthier, Lower Fat Taco Bell Doritos Locos Tacos

Fast food lovers, this one's for you! Today we head to Taco Bell in order to make their delicious Doritos Locos Tacos. The goal is to make an at-home version that's healthier. If you aren't familiar, Taco Bell makes a taco out of a Dorito. It's stuffed with meat and cheese. The result is an impressive marriage between fast food and junk food. I decided to make an at-home, healthier version. Man these were marvelous! I was sorry to see the last one eaten. The spice blend deserves a chef's kiss aimed at a bag of Doritos.

I love that they actually taste like a Dorito! I'm not against eating fast food and my dietician said an occasional stop is part of balanced eating but I'm usually hungry shortly after eating it. She said my hunger is likely coming from the fact that most fast food uses mostly refined flours, is high fat and high sugar and salt. In my home version I've used higher fiber tortillas and tried to keep the ingredients as wholesome as possible without sacrificing the subliminal fast food feels.

I made this version vegetarian and didn't miss the meat but you can make these with either lean ground beef or turkey. To amp up the protein, I included some cottage cheese in the meat mixture.

Substitutions & Notes

Lean ground beef or turkey can be substituted for the meatless beef.
Shortcut for the shells - use hard shells, coat exterior with spice blend per the recipe, briefly warm in oven.
The macro calculations don't include tortillas or toppings since various tortilla brands and toppings affect your "bottom" line. Build as you wish and scan the exact amounts of toppings and tortillas you've eaten.
Street sized tortillas are used. I used a carb conscience variety but use what works for your dietary needs.
To make this vegan, substitute nutritional yeast in the spice blend and use shredded tempeh [a vegan complete protein source high in B12] in the meatless ground beef. Gardein Ground Be'f is certified vegan. Tailor the toppings to suit your vegan needs.
The plate would be even more balanced with a side of beans and some non-starchy veg.

RECIPE

Taco Filling Per Serving [doesn't include tortillas or toppings]*: 172 cals | 4 F | 13 C | 22 P | 6 F | 4 Sugar
Search My Fitness Pal "MFP" using the label below

MFP: NJFV Doritos Locos Tacos

Doritos Spice Blend

1 tbs finely grated pecorino-romano
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1 1/2 tsp cheddar powder

1/2 tsp fine sea salt, adjust to taste

Taco Shells

4 low-carb street size taco shells

Meat

1 tbs salsa

3/4 cup frozen Gardein ground be'f or 4 oz 93% ground beef

1 tbs small curb low-fat cottage cheese

Toppings

Shredded lettuce

Reduced fat Mexican cheese blend

Reduced fat ranch dressing

1 tbs frozen corn, thawed and cooked through

Guacamole

Preheat oven to 425 F. Combine the ingredients for the spice blend. Don't include the salt. Taste the seasoning and add enough salt to taste. Different cheddar powder brands vary in sodium content.
Spray and brush 1 side of each taco shell with olive oil cooking spray. Sprinkle about 1/4 - 1/2 tsp of seasoning on each sprayed side of tortilla and rub in. Invert a muffin tin and form taco shells by placing the shells, seasoning side facing out into the grooves. Bake for 5-10 minutes, rotating pan halfway through cooking time. Shells are done when they are browned. Lower carb varieties will take close to 10 minutes. Regular tortillas, less time. Cool on wire rack.
Meanwhile, make the filling. In a nonstick skillet on medium heat cook your ground beef and remove excess fat or cook your meatless ground beef. Add salsa, cottage cheese and remaining Doritos spice blend. Note - the spice blend is strong. Add to taste. Stir to combine and warm through.
Assemble your tacos by placing guac, meat, cheese and lettuce.

*The macro calculations don't include tortillas or toppings since various tortillas and toppings affect your "bottom" line. Build as you wish and scan the exact amounts of toppings and tortillas you've eaten.

NJFoodventure

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