In every family, there’s that one dish that disappears as soon as it hits the table, and in my house, that dish is undoubtedly these cheesy beef nachos. The recipe combines perfectly-seasoned beef with the freshness of homemade salsa, all piled high on a crunchy bed of tortilla chips smothered in gooey, melted cheese. For those who enjoy a bit of heat, jalapeño slices bring a welcome kick, while sour cream and guacamole on the side make the dish truly decadent. Whether you’re cheering on your team on game day or shaking up the routine with a fun weeknight meal, these beef nachos promise to be the highlight. And the cherry on top? You can whip them up in just 40 minutes.
Table of Contents
What You’ll Need To Make Beef Nachos
- Jalapeño peppers, scallions, garlic, fresh cilantro, lime, and tomatoes: Create an easy, fresh salsa to serve alongside the nachos.
- Yellow onion and garlic: Form the aromatic base of the ground beef.
- Ground beef: 90-93% lean ground beef is ideal offering a balance of flavor while minimizing excessive fat.
- Chili powder, dried oregano, ground cumin, and cayenne pepper: Aromatic seasonings that give the beef a bold and spicy flavor.
- Tomato paste: Thickens the sauce and intensifies the ground beef’s flavor.
- Tortilla chips: Provide a crunchy base for the nachos.
- Mexican blend cheese: A mix of 4 cheeses including Monterey Jack and cheddar. It melts beautifully to top the nachos with gooey cheesy goodness.
- Jump to the printable recipe for precise measurements
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Make the Salsa
In a small bowl, add the jalapeño pepper, scallions, garlic, cilantro, salt, lime juice, and tomatoes. Stir to combine and set aside.
Stir to combine.
Step 2: Make the Spicy Beef
Heat the oil in medium skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 1 minute more; do not brown.
Add the beef, chili powder, oregano, cumin, cayenne pepper, salt, and tomato paste. Increase the heat to medium high and cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until it is no longer pink, 4 to 5 minutes.
Increase the heat to medium high and cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until it is no longer pink, 4 to 5 minutes.
Step 3: Assemble the Nachos
Preheat the oven to 400°F and set an oven rack in the middle position. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and spread half of the chips in an even layer.
Sprinkle half of beef mixture over the chips.
Cover evenly with 2 cups of the cheese and half of the jalapeño slices.
Repeat with the remaining chips, beef mixture, cheese, and jalapeños.
Bake until cheese is melted, 7 to 10 minutes.
Remove the nachos from oven and serve them right on the baking sheet with the salsa and optional garnishes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Nachos are best enjoyed fresh from the oven to maintain the crispiness of the chips and the gooey melt of the cheese. However, you can prepare the spicy beef and homemade salsa a day ahead of time, storing them in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to serve, simply assemble the nachos with your prepped ingredients and bake.
Yes! While the savory flavor of beef is classic for nachos, you can easily substitute it with ground turkey or chicken. You might also enjoy my chicken nachos, made with store-bought rotisserie chicken.
This particular recipe was developed to prevent soggy nachos by not overloading them with too many wet ingredients. To ensure they remain crispy, the homemade salsa (and optional sides of sour cream or guacamole) should be served on the side rather than on top of the nachos.
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