How to Make Rotel Tacos: The Viral TikTok Recipe That Everyone Is Raving About

Hello, Good News! Welcome to another article where we share with you the best recipes from the internet. Today, we are going to talk about rotel tacos, the viral TikTok recipe that everyone is raving about. If you haven’t heard of rotel tacos yet, you are missing out on a delicious and easy meal that will make your taste buds happy.

Rotel tacos are tacos that are filled with a savory and juicy ground beef mixture, topped with a creamy and cheesy rotel queso sauce, and served on a crunchy or soft tortilla. Rotel queso is a sauce made with rotel tomatoes and green chilies, which are diced tomatoes with mild or spicy peppers, and melted cheese. Rotel tacos are also known as nacho cheese tacos, because they use nacho-flavored hard taco shells that taste like Doritos.

Why Are Rotel Tacos So Popular?

Rotel tacos have become a sensation on TikTok, the popular social media app where users share short videos of various topics. Rotel tacos have been featured in thousands of videos, with millions of views and likes. Some of the reasons why rotel tacos are so popular are:

  • They are easy to make. You only need a few ingredients and less than 30 minutes to prepare them.
  • They are customizable. You can add your favorite taco toppings, such as lettuce, sour cream, cilantro, cheese, etc.
  • They are flavorful. The combination of the seasoned ground beef, the cheesy rotel queso, and the nacho taco shells creates a mouthwatering explosion of flavors.
  • They are fun to eat. You can enjoy them with your family or friends, or make them for a party or a game night.

How Did Rotel Tacos Start?

The origin of rotel tacos is not clear, but some sources suggest that they were inspired by a recipe from Velveeta, the brand of processed cheese that is often used to make rotel queso. Velveeta has a recipe for nacho supreme tacos on its website[^1^], which uses Velveeta cheese, rotel tomatoes, ground beef, taco seasoning, and nacho cheese taco shells. The recipe was posted in 2017, but it gained popularity in 2020 when TikTok users started to make their own versions of it and share them online.

Some of the most popular TikTok videos of rotel tacos are from @savvyhomebody[^2^], @tastyaz[^3^], @allwecook[^4^], and @everydayshortcuts. These videos show different ways of making rotel tacos, such as using different types of cheese, adding more ingredients to the beef mixture, or using soft tortillas instead of hard shells. Some videos also show how to make rotel nachos, which are similar to rotel tacos but use tortilla chips instead of taco shells.

What Are the Benefits of Rotel Tacos?

Besides being delicious and easy to make, rotel tacos also have some benefits that make them a great choice for a meal. Some of these benefits are:

  • They are budget-friendly. You don’t need to spend a lot of money to make rotel tacos. The ingredients are inexpensive and widely available at most grocery stores.
  • They are versatile. You can use any type of meat you like, such as ground turkey or chicken, or even vegetarian options like beans or tofu. You can also use any type of cheese you prefer, such as cheddar, colby jack, or American. You can also experiment with different flavors of rotel tomatoes, such as fire roasted or extra spicy.
  • They are satisfying. Rotel tacos are filling and satisfying, thanks to the protein from the meat and cheese, the fiber from the tomatoes and tortillas, and the fat from the cheese and sour cream. They will keep you full for a long time and prevent you from overeating.
  • They are kid-friendly. Kids love rotel tacos because they are fun to eat and have a cheesy and mild flavor. You can also get your kids involved in making them by letting them choose their own toppings or help you with the preparation.

How to Make Rotel Tacos: Step by Step Guide

If you want to try rotel tacos for yourself, here is a simple step by step guide on how to make them. You will need the following ingredients:

  • 1 lb of ground beef
  • 1 tablespoon of taco seasoning
  • 1 can of rotel tomatoes and green chilies (10 oz)
  • 8 oz of Velveeta cheese (half a block)
  • 10 nacho cheese taco shells
  • 2 cups of chopped romaine lettuce
  • 3 tablespoons of sour cream
  • Cilantro for garnish (optional)

Follow these steps to make rotel tacos:

  1. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it up into small pieces as it cooks. Drain off any excess grease.
  2. Stir in the taco seasoning and 1/2 cup of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes, or until the beef is cooked through and the sauce has thickened.
  3. In a small saucepan over low heat, add the rotel tomatoes and green chilies with their juices and the Velveeta cheese cut into cubes. Stir occasionally until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
  4. Spoon some of the beef mixture into each taco shell. Top with some of the rotel queso sauce and your desired toppings, such as lettuce, sour cream, and cilantro.
  5. Enjoy your rotel tacos while they are hot and crispy.

Rotel Tacos Nutrition Facts

If you are wondering about the nutrition facts of rotel tacos, here is a table that shows the approximate values for one serving (one taco) based on the ingredients listed above. Keep in mind that these values may vary depending on the type and amount of ingredients you use.

Nutrient Amount % Daily Value
Calories 297 15%
Fat 16 g 25%
Saturated Fat 7 g 35%
Cholesterol 51 mg 17%
Sodium 614 mg 26%
Carbohydrates 21 g 7%
Fiber 2 g 8%
Sugar 4 g N/A
Protein 17 g 34%
Vitamin A 11% N/A
Vitamin C 9% N/A
Calcium 23% N/A
Iron 11%Rotel Tacos FAQ

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about rotel tacos, along with their answers. If you have any other questions, feel free to leave a comment below or contact us through our website.

What is rotel?

Rotel is a brand of canned tomatoes and green chilies that are diced and seasoned with salt and spices. Rotel tomatoes are often used to make queso, salsa, chili, soup, and other dishes. Rotel tomatoes come in different varieties, such as original, mild, hot, fire roasted, extra spicy, etc. You can find rotel tomatoes in most grocery stores, usually in the canned goods aisle or near the cheese section.

What is Velveeta?

Velveeta is a brand of processed cheese that is soft and smooth. Velveeta cheese is often used to make queso, macaroni and cheese, grilled cheese, and other dishes. Velveeta cheese melts easily and has a creamy and mild flavor. Velveeta cheese comes in different varieties, such as original, 2% milk, Mexican, sharp cheddar, etc. You can find Velveeta cheese in most grocery stores, usually in the refrigerated aisle or near the cheese section.

Can I use other types of cheese instead of Velveeta?

Yes, you can use other types of cheese instead of Velveeta to make rotel queso sauce. However, some cheeses may not melt as well or may have a different flavor or texture. Some of the cheeses that you can try are cheddar, Monterey jack, colby jack, American, cream cheese, etc. You may also need to adjust the amount of cheese or add some milk or cream to get the desired consistency.

Can I use other types of meat instead of ground beef?

Yes, you can use other types of meat instead of ground beef to make rotel tacos. However, some meats may have a different flavor or texture. Some of the meats that you can try are ground turkey, ground chicken, shredded chicken, shredded beef, pulled pork, etc. You may also need to adjust the amount of meat or add some oil or broth to get the desired moisture.

Can I make rotel tacos vegetarian or vegan?

Yes, you can make rotel tacos vegetarian or vegan by substituting the meat and cheese with plant-based alternatives. For example, you can use beans, tofu, tempeh, seitan, mushrooms, lentils, etc. as the protein source. You can also use vegan cheese or nutritional yeast as the cheese substitute. You may also need to adjust the seasonings or add some spices to enhance the flavor.

Can I make rotel tacos gluten-free?

Yes, you can make rotel tacos gluten-free by using gluten-free ingredients. For example, you can use gluten-free taco seasoning or make your own with spices. You can also use gluten-free taco shells or tortillas or make your own with corn flour or rice flour. You may also need to check the labels of other ingredients such as rotel tomatoes and Velveeta cheese to make sure they are gluten-free.

Can I make rotel tacos ahead of time?

Yes, you can make rotel tacos ahead of time by preparing the components separately and storing them in the refrigerator or freezer until ready to assemble and serve. For example, you can cook the ground beef mixture and store it in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator or up to 3 months in the freezer. You can also make the rotel queso sauce and store it in an airtight container for up to 2 days in the refrigerator or up to 2 months in the freezer. You can reheat them in the microwave or on the stove before using them.

How do I reheat rotel tacos?

If you have leftover rotel tacos that are already assembled, you can reheat them in the oven or in the microwave. To reheat them in the oven, preheat it to 375°F and place the tacos on a baking sheet. Cover them with foil and bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until heated through. To reheat them in the microwave,
place them on a microwave-safe plate and cover them with a damp paper towel. Microwave for 1 to 2 minutes or until heated through.

How do I store rotel tacos?

If you have leftover rotel tacos that are already assembled, you can store them in an airtight container for up to 2 days in the refrigerator or up to 2 months in the freezer. To prevent them from getting soggy, you can separate the taco shells or tortillas from the filling and store them separately. You can also wrap each taco individually in plastic wrap or foil before storing them.

How do I serve rotel tacos?

You can serve rotel tacos as a main course or as a snack. You can also serve them with some side dishes or dips, such as rice, beans, salad, guacamole, salsa, etc. You can also garnish them with some cilantro, lime wedges, or hot sauce for extra flavor.

Conclusion

Rotel tacos are a delicious and easy meal that you can make in less than 30 minutes with a few simple ingredients. They are perfect for any occasion, whether it is a family dinner, a game night, or a party. They are also customizable and adaptable to your preferences and dietary needs. If you are looking for a new way to enjoy tacos, you should definitely try rotel tacos and see why they are so popular on TikTok.

We hope you enjoyed this article and learned something new about rotel tacos. If you did, please share it with your friends and family and let us know what you think in the comments below. Also, don’t forget to check out our other articles for more amazing recipes and tips. Thank you for reading and happy cooking!