Loaded Nachos
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Loaded Nachos
Loaded nachos work best built in layers so every chip gets cheese and toppings, not just the ones on top. Season the beef well, shingle the chips across a sheet pan, and layer beef and cheese twice before baking. Finish with cool toppings after the cheese melts. The whole pan comes together in 30 minutes and feeds six.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 large bag tortilla chips
- 3 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese
- 1 15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 jalapeno, sliced
- 2 Roma tomatoes, diced
- 1/4 cup sliced green onions
- Sour cream, guacamole, and salsa, for serving
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 400F. Line a large sheet pan with foil or parchment.
- Cook the ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat until browned, about 7 minutes. Stir in the chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and salt.
- Spread half the tortilla chips on the sheet pan in an even layer. Top with half the beef, half the black beans, and half the cheese.
- Repeat with the remaining chips, beef, beans, and cheese.
- Bake 8 to 10 minutes, until the cheese is fully melted and bubbling.
- Scatter the jalapeno, tomatoes, and green onions over the top. Serve with sour cream, guacamole, and salsa.
Tips and variations
- Build in two layers so the cheese and beef reach the chips in the middle, not just the top.
- Shred your own cheese from a block. It melts smoother than the pre-shredded bags.
- Add wet toppings like tomatoes, sour cream, and salsa after baking so the chips stay crisp.
- Use sturdy restaurant-style tortilla chips that can hold the weight without going soggy.
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Common questions
- How do I keep nachos from getting soggy
- Layer the chips and bake just until the cheese melts, then add wet toppings like salsa and sour cream only after baking.
- What cheese melts best on nachos
- A shredded Mexican blend or a mix of Monterey Jack and cheddar melts smooth. Shred it from a block for the best melt.
- Can I make nachos without meat
- Yes. Double the black beans or add seasoned pinto beans and roasted vegetables in place of the beef.
- What is the best way to build nachos
- Layer the chips, beef, beans, and cheese in two rounds across a sheet pan so every chip gets covered, then bake.
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