Ingredients
– 1 bag (12-16 oz) sturdy tortilla chips
– 1 lb lean ground beef (90 to 93% lean)
– 2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese
– 1-2 jalapeños sliced (optional)
– 1/2 cup diced ripe tomatoes
– 1/4 cup chopped scallions
– 2 garlic cloves minced
– 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves
– 1 tbsp tomato paste
– 1 tsp chili powder
– 1 tsp dried oregano
– 1 tsp ground cumin
– 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
– Salt
– 1 tbsp vegetable oil
– Finely chopped yellow onion
– Lime juice
– Thinly sliced jalapeño peppers (optional)
Instructions
1-Gathering and Prepping Ingredients: Start by pulling together all your ingredients to ensure smooth cooking. This first step sets you up for success with cheesy beef nachos by organizing everything in advance. Measure out items like spices and chop veggies to make the process flow easily.
2-Making the Salsa: Next, focus on the salsa for that fresh burst of flavor. Combine the minced jalapeño peppers, thinly sliced scallions, minced garlic, fresh cilantro leaves, salt, lime juice, and diced ripe tomatoes in a bowl. Stir them well and set aside to let the flavors meld while you move on.
3-Preparing the Spicy Beef: Now, heat the vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat for the beef component. Cook the finely chopped yellow onion until it softens, then add the minced garlic and cook briefly without browning for a fragrant base. Add the lean ground beef along with chili powder, dried oregano, ground cumin, cayenne pepper, salt, and tomato paste, then cook over medium-high heat while breaking up the meat until it’s no longer pink.
4-Assembling the Nachos: Preheat your oven to 400°F and position the rack in the middle for even baking. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Spread half the tortilla chips evenly on the sheet, then layer on half the spicy beef, shredded Mexican blend cheese, and thinly sliced jalapeño peppers. Repeat with the remaining ingredients for a loaded effect. This step ensures every bite is packed with flavor. For dietary tweaks, you could use ground turkey here to keep it lighter.
5-Baking and Serving: Bake the assembled nachos until the cheese melts, which takes about 7 to 10 minutes. Keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking. Once done, serve immediately on the baking sheet with the prepared salsa and optional items like lime wedges, sour cream, or guacamole. Remember, cheesy beef nachos taste best fresh to maintain that crispy texture and melty cheese, making them ideal for a quick family meal. As per health experts, ingredients like beef provide essential nutrients, as noted in health benefits of beef.
Last Step:
Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.Notes
🔥 Adjust the cayenne and jalapeños to control the spice level, making it family-friendly or extra bold for heat lovers.
🥣 Serve wet toppings like sour cream and guacamole on the side to keep the nachos crispy and prevent sogginess.
🛡️ Handle jalapeños with gloves or wash hands thoroughly afterward to avoid irritation from the spicy oils.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of nachos
- Calories: 770
- Sugar: 3 grams
- Sodium: 759 milligrams
- Fat: 53 grams
- Saturated Fat: 19 grams
- Unsaturated Fat: 34 grams
- Trans Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 39 grams
- Fiber: 5 grams
- Protein: 35 grams
- Cholesterol: 125 milligrams
