Nacho Egg Rolls

Nachos are one of those snacks that are hard to pass up, no matter what your taste. The way the salty chips mix with the rich meat, creamy cheese, pungent peppers, and sharp olives creates a bonanza of flavors that simply can’t be topped. Even better, their smell brings together odors you never thought possible to make a perfect snack for a party or get-together with friends.

What if you could combine the amazing diversity of nachos with the concentrated goodness of your favorite egg rolls? You’d probably say we were insane for even suggesting it. However, nacho egg rolls are real, and this recipe takes the classic appetizer and kicks it up a notch with a spicy Mexican flair. They work beautifully as a main appetizer for your next Super Bowl party or even a nightly snack with you and your kids.

When you take a bite of one, the creamy texture and dense flavor will practically melt on your tongue and bring a smile to your face. There aren’t many other appetizers that come together in such a unique and exciting way. Even better, they serve well with a variety of main dishes, desserts, drinks, and dips, giving you plenty of catering opportunities. If you’re big into tasty Mexican/Chinese fusion, this is a meal you simply can’t ignore!

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Why You’ll Love This

First of all, who doesn’t love nachos or egg rolls? These appetizers bring together many classic flavors and textures in a truly magical way. But is combining them akin to mixing chocolate and spaghetti, i.e., two great tastes that do not blend? Amazingly, no! The combination of flaky egg roll wrappers and rich Mexican-style ingredients produces a mouthwatering mix.

Even better, these ingredients aren’t going to break your bank and can be scaled up, as much as you want, to produce a ton of egg rolls. Amazingly, they’re so quick to wrap and fry that it shouldn’t take you more than an hour to make enough for an entire party. Talk about your perfect weekend snack! You’ll never have to worry about catering again.

Ingredients:

• Lean Ground Beef
• Red and Green Bell Peppers
• Black Olives (chopped)
• Red Onions (finely chopped)
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese
• Cheese Sauce
• Egg Roll Wraps
• Enough Canola oil to fry
• *Sour Cream, Ranch, or Cheese Dip for sauce

Ingredient Deep Dive

Nacho egg rolls bring the simple, hearty perfection of a plate of nachos to the delicate world of egg roll wrapping. It seems like an unlikely combination at first, but it quickly proves itself amazing after a few bites. Even better, it doesn’t require a lot of ingredients to make this dish, proving that just a handful of items can make unforgettable and tasty dishes.

Ground Beef: The Heart and Soul of Your Nachos

Without ground beef, nachos barely exist! They bring a gritty texture and a mild but absorbent flavor that works so well in Mexican dishes. While it’s strange at first to taste it in egg rolls, you’ll quickly grow to love it. The way that it blends with the egg roll wrapper, the cheese, and the peppers makes ground beef a classic addition to any nacho egg roll.

Some people may enjoy pork instead of beef in their nachos, though that’s a controversial opinion. Pork brings a sweeter flavor that definitely changes your egg rolls’ aftertaste. Vegetarians and vegans may prefer tofu or lentils for a healthier variant.

Cheese: The Topping You Can’t Skip

Can you imagine making nachos without cheese drenched all over each chip? It’s impossible to even contemplate! Cheese just brings everything together with this recipe, so make sure you invest in a good amount. You’ll not only need shredded cheddar cheese (with its sharp flavor, it adds a kick to your nachos) but a cheese sauce (that adds even more creaminess).

If you want a milder nacho experience, shredded Gouda can work in a pinch. While it’s not quite as “classic” as cheddar, Gouda’s more down-to-earth flavor brings in subtle nutty touches that make it a popular alternative for people who are bored of cheddar on everything.

Black Olives: A Controversial Additive

Though perhaps more palpable than green olives, black olives may be the hardest sell for this recipe. Their buttery flavor is far less bitter than green varieties, though they still come with a highly salty punch. That said, their profile blends really well with the bell peppers, onions, and ground beef to produce a magical blend. They’re hardly even noticeable in such a dense dish.

If you simply can’t do black olives, though, there are plenty of replacement options. Capers and gherkins provide a less intense alternative that may be easier for many to handle. Fascinatingly, roasted almonds may also taste great, though the texture of the dish changes dramatically.

How To Make ​rotel egg rolls:

Step 1: Start by putting your ground beef and seasonings in a bowl, putting on a pair of gloves, and blending with your hands. 

It’s really fun to dig in this way, but it also gives you more control over blending everything fully. Once you’re done, warm up a large skillet and brown your meat. Stir regularly and slowly to make sure that all sides are evenly browned and crispy.

Step 2: Strain the grease from your meat (to avoid a dense and unappealing flavor) and put your meat back in the skillet with your chopped bell peppers and onions. 

As you cook everything, pay attention to the smell and texture of the onions. They should have a pungent odor and become translucent with a little browning around the edges when they’re done cooking. Cool for 10 minutes to bring down the temperature.

Step 3: While you heat up your deep pot or fryer to 350 degrees, roll out your egg rolls into triangle shapes. 

They should be at least three inches wide to give you lots of room to work. Spoon your mix and cheese sauce in here and blend it evenly. The interior should look nice and creamy and be very easy to wrap by pulling it tight into a tube with just a bit of the filling sticking out.

Step 4: Make as many egg rolls as you have filling and put them in your fryer. 

Watch them carefully as they cook! It won’t take more than 2-3 minutes, and too much time can burn the exterior and dry out the interior. Here’s a tip: the wrap should turn golden brown, just like an egg roll in your favorite Chinese restaurant. The smell should be rich and flavorful without being overpowering.

Step 5: Once they’re done, place them on paper towels and pat them dry to remove the grease. 

You do this for a few reasons. First, the excess grease will soak into the wrap and make it soggy and unenjoyable. Second, it’s simply healthier to get rid of any unnecessary grease. Give them a few minutes to cool (the interior will be really hot!) before serving with your favorite dip.

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Serving & Pairing

With an appetizer like this, side dishes usually include dips that help bring out even more flavor. For example, guacamole, salsa, and creamy queso dips blend perfectly with these egg rolls. Great drinks include beer or wine because their acidity perfectly balances the nacho intensity. Soda or orange juice also works well for similar reasons. For garnishes, consider adding jalapenos or cilantro, and top off your meal with a churro dessert.

Try some guacamole or homemade salsa for dipping.

Pro-Tips & Technique

Deep frying your egg rolls works better than pan frying for several reasons. First, it’s much faster, taking only a few minutes rather than 5-10. When you’re prepping a lot of these for a party, getting a lot ready quickly is a huge boon. Second, deep frying produces a more evenly cooked interior. Pan frying may just cook the exterior if you’re not skillful.

Just as importantly, deep frying adds a lot of texture to your egg rolls. All those egg rolls you enjoy at your favorite takeout place? That density and flavor come partially from the frying grease. Deep frying is admittedly the healthiest way to cook, but it produces great results.

FAQs & Troubleshooting

When you’re ready to store your egg rolls, you have a few options. They refrigerate easily in a plastic container in the fridge, or you can freeze them for up to two months. They should be individually frozen first, then they can be stacked and placed into a freezer bag. To reheat, preheat the oven to 350 degrees, place the egg rolls on a baking tray, and heat for 15 to 20 minutes. They can also be microwaved for 1 to 2 minutes.

Refrigerating them works well if you plan on prepping them ahead of time and serving them for a big party. In fact, some people even like them chilled, though they typically serve best when they’re warm. Just as importantly, cutting them up into bite-sized bits makes them a little more approachable than leaving them one big log.

More Eggrolls Recipes You’ll Love…

Egg Roll Stir Fry – Healthy and affordable – perfect for busy moms on a budget.

Peach Cobbler Egg Rolls – These sweet and savory egg rolls are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Cheesesteak Egg Roll Taco – THE perfect appetizer!

Philly Cheesesteak Egg Rolls – So good! We can’t get enough of them!