Copycat Taco Bell Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes

Submitted by EmKenBken

"Boring roast potatoes get a kick in the butt! Seasoned with some chiles and specially roast so they end up extra crusty, the toppings are the icing on the cake!"

 

• Ready In: 2hrs 15mins
• Ingredients: 29
• Serves: 6

ingredients

• Fiesta Seasoning Oil

• 1⁄4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon sweet paprika
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon cumin
• 1⁄4 teaspoon garlic powder

• For Potatoes

• 6 russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 6ths
• 2 tablespoons kosher salt

• Nacho Cheese Sauce

• 1⁄2 yellow onion, peeled and roughly chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, seeded and coarsely chopped
• 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, crushed
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 1⁄2 teaspoons whole black peppercorns
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
• 2 cups cheddar cheese, grated
• 2 cups Velveeta cheese, grated
• 1 (32 ounce) bag frozen french fries

• French Fry Seasoning

• 1 tablespoon sweet paprika
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon cumin
• 1⁄4 teaspoon garlic powder

• Toppings

• 1 1⁄4 cups sour cream
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 2⁄3 cup pico de gallo, if desired

directions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.

2. Make seasoning oil:

3. In a large bowl combine Fiesta Seasoning Oil ingredients, stirring well to combine.

4. For Potatoes:

5. Place potatoes into a large pot of lukewarm water. Add salt. Bring to a simmer over high heat. Cook until potatoes are softened, but not fully cooked, 10 to 12 minutes total. Drain potatoes through colander, shaking a few times to release steam and soften edges. Allow to rest 5 minutes.
6. Gently toss boiled potatoes in bowl with Fiesta Seasoning Oil coating thoroughly. Divide potatoes evenly between two rimmed baking sheets. Cook, tossing potatoes once, and rotating baking sheets; until potatoes are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, 25 to 30 minutes. Meanwhile make Nacho Cheese sauce.

7. Nacho Cheese Sauce:

8. In a large saucepan over medium, heat oil. Add onion, bell pepper, garlic, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally until onion has softened about 5 to 7 minutes. Slowly whisk in the milk, tomato paste, and vinegar, until well combined; allow to steep for 20 minutes.
9. In a large heatproof bowl, combine grated cheeses, Place a fine mesh strainer over the bowl containing the cheese. Strain milk mixture into the bowl. Discard solids from strainer.
10. Using a wooden spoon stir cheese mixture until smooth and saucy. If cheese doesn’t melt completely, set bowl over a pot of simmering water and stir until cheese melts and mixture comes together.
11. Top Copycat Taco Bell Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes with 3 cups Nacho Cheese Sauce, Sour Cream, tomatoes and pico de gallo if desired. Serve immediately.

Reviews

[bishoprochelle]

These spice roasted potatoes drizzled with homemade nacho cheese sauce and served with our favorite taco toppings is reason alone to skip the drive thru and messed up orders at a popular fast food chain. We will definitely be making this again! https://chellebdoinwhat.wordpress.com/2019/03/09/home-happenings-copycat-taco-bell-cheesy-fiesta-potatoes/