A delicious loaded beef nachos recipe made with crispy tortilla chips, seasoned ground beef, melted cheese, creamy guacamole, fresh tomatoes, lettuce, and black olives. The combination of crunchy, cheesy, savory, and fresh toppings makes this perfect for a party, game night, or easy family dinner.
Ingredients
For the Beef
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp taco seasoning
- 1 tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp cumin
- ½ tsp paprika
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
- ¼ cup water
For the Nachos
- 10–12 oz tortilla chips
- 2 cups shredded cheddar or Mexican-blend cheese
- 1 cup guacamole
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1½ cups shredded lettuce
- ½ cup sliced black olives
- ¼ cup diced onion
- ¼ cup jalapeños, optional
- 2–3 tbsp fresh cilantro
- Sour cream, optional
Instructions
- Cook the beef: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic and sauté for 2–3 minutes.
- Add ground beef and cook for 6–8 minutes, breaking it into small pieces until browned and cooked through.
- Drain excess grease if necessary. Add taco seasoning, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, pepper, and water.
- Simmer for 2–3 minutes until the beef is flavorful and slightly saucy.
- Build the nachos: Spread tortilla chips on a large baking sheet or oven-safe platter.
- Add half of the beef and half of the shredded cheese. Repeat with another layer of chips, beef, and cheese.
- Bake at 400°F (200°C) for about 5–10 minutes, until the cheese is completely melted.
- Remove from the oven and immediately add lettuce, tomatoes, guacamole, black olives, onion, cilantro, and jalapeños.
- Add a drizzle or dollop of sour cream if desired.
- Serve immediately while the chips are crispy and the cheese is warm.
Recipe Information
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: About 35 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Difficulty: Easy
Nutrition Information
Approx. per serving:
- Calories: ~520–650 kcal
- Protein: ~25–30 g
- Carbohydrates: ~40–50 g
- Fat: ~28–35 g
- Fiber: ~5–7 g
- Sodium: ~800–1,200 mg
Nutrition varies considerably with the amount/type of chips, cheese, beef, and toppings used. Comparable loaded nacho recipes report roughly 520–843 calories per serving.
Q&A
Q: Can I use chicken instead of beef?
A: Yes. Ground chicken or shredded cooked chicken works well.
Q: Can I make these ahead of time?
A: The beef can be prepared ahead, but assemble and bake the nachos just before serving so the chips stay crispy.
Q: How do I keep nachos from becoming soggy?
A: Keep wet toppings such as guacamole, tomatoes, salsa, and sour cream off the chips until after baking.
Q: Can I add beans?
A: Absolutely. Black beans or refried beans make the nachos more filling.
Q: What cheese melts best?
A: Cheddar, Monterey Jack, pepper Jack, or a Mexican cheese blend are excellent choices.
Q: How should leftovers be stored?
A: Nachos are best fresh. If you have leftovers, refrigerate the toppings and beef separately and reheat the chips separately when possible.