The Best Nachos

“The Best Nachos” recipe is the ultimate crowd-pleaser, combining seasoned ground beef, hearty beans, and a medley of fresh toppings over crispy tortilla chips. It’s a perfect dish for game days, gatherings, or a fun family dinner. Loaded with flavors from cumin, chili powder, and salsa, these nachos are topped with melted cheese, fresh tomatoes, pickled jalapeños, and more.

Customize with your favorite sides like sour cream, guacamole, and salsa for an irresistible snack or meal that’s sure to satisfy!

The Best Nachos

Ingredients:

1 pound ground beef

1 onion, chopped

1 (15-ounce) can black beans

1 (16-ounce) can low fat refried beans

1 large bag thick corn tortilla chips

2 roma tomatoes, diced

1/2 cup pickled jalapeños, sliced

1/4 cup black olives, sliced

1 (8-ounce) package shredded cheese, Cheddar or Monterrey Jack

2 to 3 green onions, chopped

1/4 cup cilantro, chopped

1/4 cup salsa

1 to 2 tablespoons cumin, to taste

2 to 3 tablespoons chili powder, to taste

Salt and pepper, to taste

Serve with sour cream, salsa and guacamole

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 400°F.

In a large skillet on medium heat, add ground beef and chopped onion, stirring occasionally to brown the meat and cook the onions.

Add salt, cumin, chili powder, and black pepper to season, as the ground beef browns. Drain excess grease.

Add the black and refried beans and stir into the ground beef. Add ¼ cup salsa. Stir ingredients until well mixed.

Add more cumin and chili powder, to taste. Stir and simmer 5 minutes.

Place the chips on a baking sheet. Spoon and sprinkle the ground beef mixture over the chips.

Top nachos with diced tomato, sliced jalapenos, black olives, and the chopped bottoms of the green onions. Sprinkle the top with cheese.

Slide the baking sheet into the oven and let cook approximately 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the nachos heated through.

Remove from the oven and top with chopped green onion tops and cilantro.

Serve with sour cream, salsa and guacamole.

enjoy!!

Notes:

Customizable Toppings: Feel free to adjust the toppings based on personal preference. Add ingredients like avocado, corn, or different cheeses for variety.

Vegetarian Option: Swap the ground beef for a meat substitute or simply increase the amount of beans for a delicious vegetarian version.

Crispy Chips: Use thick corn tortilla chips to prevent sogginess, especially when adding the meat and bean mixture. You can also lightly toast the chips in the oven before adding toppings.

Make-Ahead: The ground beef and bean mixture can be prepared ahead of time and reheated when ready to assemble the nachos.

Even Cheese Melting: For perfectly melted cheese, spread the toppings evenly over the chips and use a mix of Cheddar and Monterey Jack for a balanced, gooey texture.

Baking Time: Keep an eye on the nachos while baking to ensure the chips don’t burn. Once the cheese is fully melted, they’re ready to serve.

Serving Style: Serve nachos straight from the baking sheet or transfer them to a platter. Offer sides like sour cream, salsa, and guacamole on the side for guests to add as they like.

Nutrition Information:

YIELD: 6 SERVING SIZE: 1

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different type of meat instead of ground beef?

Yes, you can substitute ground beef with other meats such as ground chicken, turkey, or pork.

Adjust the cooking time and seasonings accordingly to ensure the meat is cooked through and flavored to your liking.

Can I make these nachos spicy?

Absolutely! If you enjoy spicy flavors, you can increase the heat in this recipe.

Add more chili powder, jalapeños, or even a dash of hot sauce to amp up the spiciness.

Adjust the amount according to your personal preference.

Can I make these nachos healthier?

Yes, you can make some adjustments to make the nachos healthier.

Opt for baked tortilla chips instead of fried ones, use reduced-fat cheese or a smaller amount, and choose leaner meats like ground turkey or chicken.

Additionally, you can reduce the amount of salt and use low-sodium beans and salsa.

Consider adding more vegetables as toppings to boost the nutritional value.

Can I make these nachos in advance and reheat them later?

While nachos are best enjoyed immediately after baking, you can prepare the components in advance.

Cook the ground beef and assemble the toppings, but keep them separate until you’re ready to serve.

Store the chips separately to maintain their crispness.

When you’re ready, assemble the nachos and reheat in the oven until the cheese is melted and the toppings are heated through.

Can I customize the toppings to suit my preferences?

Absolutely! The toppings in this recipe are customizable.

Feel free to add or omit ingredients based on your taste preferences.

You can add other toppings such as diced bell peppers, corn, or different types of cheese.

Get creative and make the nachos your own by adding your favorite flavors and ingredients.

Can I make this recipe vegetarian or vegan?

Yes, you can easily modify this recipe to be vegetarian or vegan.

Simply omit the ground beef and use plant-based alternatives such as veggie crumbles or tofu.

For the cheese, you can use dairy-free shredded cheese or make a vegan cheese sauce.

Replace the sour cream with vegan sour cream or yogurt, and use vegan-friendly salsa and guacamole.

Can I adjust the level of spiciness in the nachos?

Absolutely! The spice level can be adjusted to your preference.

You can increase or decrease the amount of chili powder, pickled jalapeños, and salsa according to your desired level of spiciness.

Feel free to customize it to suit your taste.

Can I use different types of beans?

Yes, you can experiment with different types of beans in this recipe.

While the recipe calls for black beans and low-fat refried beans, you can substitute them with kidney beans, pinto beans, or any other variety you prefer.

Be sure to drain and rinse canned beans before using them.