Soft Cheese Tacos

4.5
(2)

I grew up in Oklahoma City eating soft cheese tacos at Ninos Mexican Restaurant. I've spent years searching the internet for this recipe, and at 62 years old, I've finally found it.

Prep Time:
15 mins
Cook Time:
25 mins
Total Time:
40 mins
Servings:
6
Yield:
12 tacos
Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 6 servings

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

  • 1 large onion, chopped

  • 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped, or more to taste

  • 4 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 (14.5 ounce) can chicken broth

  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch

  • 4 cups shredded American cheese

  • 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes

  • 1 (4 ounce) can diced green chile peppers

  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin

  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper

  • 12 corn tortillas, warmed

  • 3 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

  2. Heat butter in a pot over medium-low heat. Cook and stir onion and jalapeno pepper in the hot butter until onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic to onion mixture and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

  3. Whisk chicken broth and cornstarch together in a bowl until smooth; pour into the onion mixture. Cook, stirring constantly, until broth thickens, about 2 minutes. Reduce temperature to low and slowly stir American cheese, 1/4 cup at a time, into broth mixture until cheese is completely melted and sauce is smooth, 5 to 10 minutes.

  4. Stir diced tomatoes, green chile peppers, cumin, and cayenne pepper into cheese sauce and keep pot over low heat. Divide cheese sauce in half, reserving 1/2 of the sauce for another use.

  5. Sprinkle about 1/4 cup Cheddar cheese down the center of 1 tortilla and roll tortilla around cheese. Place rolled tortilla, seam-side down, in a baking dish. Repeat with remaining tortillas and Cheddar cheese. Cover dish with aluminum foil.

  6. Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove foil and pour the reserved 1/2 of the cheese sauce over tacos.

Cook's Note:

For a less chunky sauce, mash the tomatoes with potato masher. If queso is too thick, add milk in small amounts to desired consistency.

Keep the tortillas wrapped in aluminum foil or a tortilla warmer while you assemble the tacos.

Editor's Note:

The nutrition data for this recipe includes the full amount of the cheese sauce. The actual amount of sauce consumed will vary. Serve the reserved 1/2 of the cheese sauce with tortilla chips, if desired.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

705 Calories
48g Fat
34g Carbs
35g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Calories 705
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 48g 61%
Saturated Fat 29g 147%
Cholesterol 142mg 47%
Sodium 2114mg 92%
Total Carbohydrate 34g 13%
Dietary Fiber 5g 17%
Total Sugars 5g
Protein 35g 71%
Vitamin C 21mg 24%
Calcium 902mg 69%
Iron 3mg 17%
Potassium 455mg 10%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

You’ll Also Love