Ingredients
Meat and Seasoning
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 tablespoons homemade taco seasoning
Base
- Corn tortilla chips (1 to 2 bags depending on size)
Cheese
- 8 ounces cheddar jack cheese, freshly shredded (or your favorite cheese)
Vegetables & Toppings
- 1 small onion, diced small
- 1/2 head iceberg lettuce, finely shredded
- 2 small roma tomatoes, diced small
- Avocados or guacamole
- Hot sauce or salsa
- Sliced black olives
- Sliced green onions
- Sour cream (Mexican crema or non-fat plain Greek yogurt)
- Jalapenos, pickled or sliced raw
- Cilantro, finely chopped (for serving)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 325℉ (160℃) to prepare for melting the cheese and warming the nachos.
- Cook the Taco Meat: In a 10-inch skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef. Use a spatula to break it up and cook until browned and fully cooked. Once browned, season with 2 tablespoons of homemade taco seasoning, stir well to combine, then remove from heat and set aside.
- Assemble Nachos: On two rimmed metal quarter baking sheets, create a single layer of thick, sturdy corn tortilla chips. Sprinkle some shredded cheddar jack cheese over the chips, then add some of the seasoned ground beef. Add another layer of tortilla chips, followed by more cheese and taco meat. Top this with diced bell pepper and diced onion for added flavor and texture.
- Bake Nachos: Place the baking sheets on the middle rack of the preheated oven and bake for about 8 minutes, or until the cheese has melted thoroughly.
- Add Fresh Toppings: Remove the nachos from the oven and generously top with shredded iceberg lettuce, diced roma tomatoes, sliced green onions, black olives, and a dollop of sour cream. Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro.
- Optional Add-ons: For extra kick and flavor, add hot sauce, sliced jalapeños, salsa, and/or guacamole on top or served on the side.
Notes
- Ensure the tortilla chips are thick and sturdy enough to hold toppings without getting soggy quickly.
- You can adjust the amount of cheese and meat layers based on preference and thickness of the nacho pile.
- Use homemade taco seasoning or your preferred store-bought version for convenience.
- Serve immediately after baking to enjoy the nachos crispy and cheese melty.
- Customize toppings to suit dietary needs or taste preferences.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
