Dirt Dogs Dugout Nacho Cups
These Dirt Dogs Dugout Nacho Cups are the perfect game day snack—crispy chips, seasoned beef, melty cheese, and all the classic toppings packed into a mini baseball helmet for an easy, crowd-pleasing bite.
Ingredients
For the Nacho Filling:
- 1 lb ground beef or turkey
- 2 tablespoons Chef Paddy’s Let’s Taco ’Bout It Blend
- 1 tablespoon Bear & Burton’s W Sauce
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ cup water
- Optional: ¼ cup diced onions or peppers
For Assembly:
- 24 mini baseball helmets (or mini cups)
- 3–4 cups tortilla chips, lightly crushed
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
- Shredded lettuce
- Sour cream
- Diced tomatoes
- Pickled jalapeños
- Green onions
- Guacamole
- Hot sauce
Instructions
- Cook the Meat: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground meat with Chef Paddy’s Let’s Taco ’Bout It Blend, Bear & Burton’s W Sauce, smoked paprika, and water. Simmer until thickened and well coated. Add diced onions or peppers if using.
- Prep the Helmets: Arrange the mini baseball helmets or cups on a tray for easy assembly.
- Layer the Nachos: Start with a layer of crushed tortilla chips, then add hot seasoned meat and shredded cheese. Repeat if your cups are tall enough.
- Melt the Cheese: If your helmets or cups are oven-safe, bake at 350°F for 3–5 minutes. If not, let the hot meat melt the cheese naturally.
- Top It Off: Finish with shredded lettuce, sour cream, diced tomatoes, pickled jalapeños, green onions, a scoop of guacamole, and a drizzle of hot sauce.
Chef Paddy’s Tips
- Use Sturdy Chips or Cups: Thick tortilla chips or baked mini cups hold up best on game day.
- Layer Thoughtfully: Build evenly so every bite gets meat, cheese, and toppings without turning soggy.
- Assemble Fresh: Prep everything ahead, but build the cups just before serving so the chips stay crisp.
- Bring the Heat: Add extra pickled jalapeños or your favorite hot sauce if you want a little more kick.
- Perfect for a Crowd: These are grab-and-go friendly, fun to serve, and built to win at tailgates, watch parties, and backyard hangs.
Big flavor, easy build, and made for game day—this is snack-table food with heart and hustle.
Let’s cook with heart and hustle.
