Classic Tex-Mex Baked Nachos (Printable Version)

Crispy chips loaded with seasoned beef, melted cheese, and vibrant toppings. Perfect for sharing in just 30 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Beef Mixture

01 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
02 - 1 pound ground beef
03 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
06 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
07 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
10 - 1/4 cup tomato sauce

→ Nachos Base

11 - 8 ounces tortilla chips

→ Cheese

12 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
13 - 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

→ Toppings

14 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, diced
15 - 1/2 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
16 - 1/4 cup sliced black olives
17 - 1/4 cup sliced jalapeños, fresh or pickled
18 - 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
19 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
20 - 1 avocado, diced
21 - 1/2 cup sour cream
22 - 1/2 cup salsa

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat your oven to 400°F and position a rack in the center.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing for 2 minutes until fragrant and softened.
03 - Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks until fully browned, approximately 5 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
04 - Stir in chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Add tomato sauce and simmer for 2 minutes to meld flavors. Remove from heat.
05 - Arrange half the tortilla chips on a large baking sheet or oven-safe platter. Top with half the cooked beef mixture and half the combined cheeses. Add remaining chips, beef, and cheese in layers.
06 - Transfer to the preheated oven and bake for 8 to 10 minutes until cheese is fully melted and bubbling.
07 - Remove from oven and immediately distribute cherry tomatoes, black beans, black olives, jalapeños, and red onion evenly across the nachos.
08 - Garnish with fresh cilantro and diced avocado. Transfer to a serving platter and serve immediately with sour cream and salsa on the side.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in under half an hour, so you can go from craving to eating without the wait.
  • The layers of cheese, beef, and toppings mean every chip tastes different and exciting.
  • It scales up or down easily, whether you're feeding two or ten.
  • You can make it your own by swapping proteins, adding heat, or piling on whatever toppings you love.
02 -
  • Don't skip the layering, putting all the chips down at once means only the top gets cheesy and the bottom stays dry.
  • Use a rimmed baking sheet or the cheese will drip everywhere and smoke up your oven.
  • Add the fresh toppings after baking, not before, or they'll wilt and lose their crunch.
  • Let the beef cool for a minute before layering so the chips don't get soggy from steam.
03 -
  • Use two kinds of cheese for a better melt and more complex flavor.
  • Don't overload the pan or the bottom chips will steam instead of staying crispy.
  • Taste the beef mixture before you layer and adjust the seasoning, it should be bold.
  • Serve immediately after baking, nachos wait for no one.
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