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Loaded Beef and Cheese Nachos: The Ultimate Weekend Snack Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 111 reviews

Loaded Nachos is the ultimate weekend comfort food, featuring crispy tortilla chips topped with seasoned ground beef, beans, corn, and a melty blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses. Finished with fresh toppings like sour cream, guacamole, salsa, pickled jalapeños, cilantro, and green onions, these nachos deliver a perfect balance of flavor, texture, and indulgence perfect for sharing or a casual meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Nacho Base

  • 1 large bag (12–16 ounces) tortilla chips (restaurant-style thick preferred)

Seasoned Beef Mixture

  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 blend)
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 packet (1.25 ounces) taco seasoning
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained (optional)
  • 1 (15-ounce) can corn, drained

Cheeses

  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese (or Mexican cheese blend)

Toppings

  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 cup guacamole (homemade or store-bought)
  • 1 cup salsa (homemade or store-bought)
  • 1/2 cup pickled jalapeños, sliced (adjust to taste)
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1/4 cup sliced green onions
  • Optional: Diced tomatoes, black olives, queso fresco

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it up with a spatula. Drain off any excess grease to ensure your nachos aren’t too oily.
  2. Sauté Onion and Garlic: Add the finely chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened and translucent, about 3-5 minutes. Then add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
  3. Add Taco Seasoning: Stir in the taco seasoning packet along with 1/2 cup water. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for about 5 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly and the flavors to meld.
  4. Incorporate Beans and Corn: Add the rinsed black beans, kidney beans (if using), and drained corn to the skillet. Stir well and cook for 2-3 minutes until everything is heated through and evenly combined.
  5. Preheat the Oven (Optional): If you prefer melted cheese on your nachos, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This step is optional if you prefer your cheese unmelted or room temperature.
  6. Assemble the Nachos: Spread the tortilla chips evenly over a large baking sheet or oven-safe platter to create a single-layer base for even topping.
  7. Add the Beef Mixture: Spoon the warm, seasoned ground beef, beans, and corn mixture evenly over the bed of tortilla chips, ensuring an even distribution of flavors in every bite.
  8. Top with Cheese: Generously sprinkle the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses over the beef mixture, covering as much surface area as possible for that gooey, cheesy experience.
  9. Bake or Broil (Optional): Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese has fully melted and is bubbly. Alternatively, broil for 2-3 minutes under close watch to avoid burning, if you want a golden, slightly crisp cheese topping.
  10. Add Fresh Toppings: Once the cheese has melted, remove the nachos from the oven. Dollop with sour cream and guacamole, spoon on salsa, and sprinkle sliced pickled jalapeños, fresh cilantro, and green onions over the top. Add any optional toppings, like diced tomatoes or black olives, to customize to your taste.
  11. Serve Immediately: Serve the loaded nachos right away to enjoy the perfect balance of warm cheese and toppings with the crisp chips, avoiding sogginess.

Notes

  • For extra spice, increase the amount of pickled jalapeños or add fresh diced jalapeños.
  • Use thick, restaurant-style tortilla chips to prevent sogginess from the toppings.
  • Kidney beans are optional, but add extra texture and protein if included.
  • You can prepare all components ahead of time and assemble just before serving.
  • To make it vegetarian, substitute ground beef with a plant-based meat alternative or extra beans.
  • Store leftover nachos and toppings separately to keep chips crisp.

Keywords: loaded nachos, ground beef nachos, cheesy nachos, party snacks, Mexican comfort food, easy weekend meal

Find it online: https://ellaeatsdaily.com/loaded-beef-and-cheese-nachos-the-ultimate-weekend-snack-recipe/