1. Home
  2. Recipes
  3. The Best Nachos

Quick Loaded Nachos

Brown seasoned beef with onions, layer tortilla chips in big pan. Top with meat, beans, lots of shredded cheese. Bake till melty hot, add fresh stuff like tomatoes, green onions. Serve quick while cheese is stretchy. Takes just 30 minutes for perfect party snack.

Featured in Finger Foods and Party Snacks.

Fatiha
Updated on Sun, 05 Jan 2025 01:25:55 GMT
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Send Recipe Jump To Recipe
A close-up of a bowl of nachos topped with melted cheese, ground beef, jalapeños, diced tomatoes, guacamole, cilantro, and sour cream. Pin it
A close-up of a bowl of nachos topped with melted cheese, ground beef, jalapeños, diced tomatoes, guacamole, cilantro, and sour cream. | zestplate.com

Want to learn how to make nachos that'll wow everyone at your table? This nacho recipe combines seasoned beef, melty cheese, and fresh toppings for an incredible meal. Perfect for lazy evenings or game day gatherings, these loaded nachos never disappoint.

More Than Just Chips and Cheese

Looking for the perfect nacho cheese sauce recipe? We've got you covered. Our homemade sauce turns regular chips into something special. Plus, you can adjust the seasonings to make it just how you like. Whether you're feeding a crowd or having a cozy night in, these nachos hit the spot.

What You'll Need

  • Chili Powder: Adds warmth and depth
  • Salt: Brings out all the flavors
  • Garlic: Fresh or powder works great
  • Onion: Adds rich flavor
  • Cumin: For that classic taste
  • Oregano: Gives an herby note
  • Black Pepper: Just enough kick
  • Cayenne: Optional heat
  • Oil: For cooking
  • Ground Beef: The hearty base
  • Refried Beans: Makes it filling
  • Water: Helps blend everything
  • Tortilla Chips: Get the thick ones
  • Cheeses: Cheddar and Colby Jack
  • Fresh Toppings: Pico, cilantro, jalapeños

Step-By-Step Instructions

Heat Your Oven:
Preheat to 350°F and let it warm up completely. A fully heated oven makes sure everything cooks evenly and gets that perfect crispy texture.
Mix Seasonings:
In a small bowl, blend all your spices together. This ensures every bite of meat will be packed with flavor. Take time to break up any clumps for even seasoning.
Cook the Meat:
Brown your beef in a large pan, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks. Add your seasoning mix and stir well. Cook until no pink remains and it's slightly crispy on the edges.
Make it Saucy:
Stir in your beans and a splash of water. Keep mixing until everything's smooth and heated through. The beans should be creamy and the meat well-coated.
Prep the Base:
Arrange your chips carefully on a large baking pan. Make sure they overlap slightly but aren't piled too high. This creates the perfect foundation for your toppings.
Build Layers:
Start with a generous layer of cheese, then add your hot meat and bean mixture. The cheese helps protect the chips from getting soggy and melts perfectly into the meat.
Melt and Top:
Pop it in the oven until the cheese gets bubbly and starts to brown on top. Watch carefully - you want it melted but not burnt. Then add your fresh toppings right away.
Serve Hot:
Get it to the table while everything's still hot and melty. The contrast between the warm, cheesy layers and cool, fresh toppings makes every bite perfect.

Where It All Started

Every great recipe has a story. The original nacho cheese came from a quick-thinking cook named Ignacio "Nacho" Anaya in Mexico. He created this snack for hungry customers when the kitchen was nearly closed. His simple idea - chips, cheese, and jalapeños - started it all.

Getting Creative

Once you know how to make nacho cheese sauce, try different toppings. Some folks love beef and beans, others go for chicken or just cheese. Fresh toppings like tomatoes, onions, and peppers make everything taste better. Your kitchen, your rules!

Mix It Up

Change things around with different meats, beans, or cheeses. Try chicken instead of beef, black beans instead of refried, or mix up your cheese choices. Remember, good nachos are all about layers of flavor.

Choose Good Chips

Start with sturdy tortilla chips that can handle all your toppings. Those thin ones from the bag won't cut it here. You need chips that stay crispy under your nacho cheese sauce recipe. The thicker, the better!

A plate of nachos topped with seasoned ground meat, melted cheese sauce, and fresh cilantro. Pin it
A plate of nachos topped with seasoned ground meat, melted cheese sauce, and fresh cilantro. | zestplate.com

Keep Them Crispy

Nobody likes soggy chips. When you're learning how to make nachos, remember to layer carefully. Put cheese directly on the chips first - it helps protect them from getting soggy. Then add your warm toppings and serve right away.

Quick Prep Tips

Get everything ready before starting your nacho recipe. Grate cheese, chop toppings, and season meat ahead of time. Want easy nacho nights? Keep some homemade nacho cheese sauce in the fridge - just warm it up when hungry. Set out all the toppings and let everyone build their perfect plate.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Want different cheese?

Mix kinds you like. Sharp ones good. Need good melters. Fresh grate's best. Watch it don't burn.

→ Rather skip meat?

More beans work good. Fake meat's fine too. Extra veggies help. Still tastes nice. Needs good spice.

→ Need em no wheat?

Check chips good first. Most are fine though. Watch your spice mix. Bean cans too. Simple's safer.

→ Getting too soft?

Serve real quick. Hot stuff on side. Keep toppings cool. Don't pile too high. Fresh chips help lots.

→ What tops work good?

Try sweet corn bits. Black olives nice. Fresh green stuff. Even fruit works. Keep it balanced.

→ Cheese not melting?

Oven needs hot first. Fresh cheese better. Give more time. Watch it close. Don't burn the chips.

→ Taking em places?

Best made right there. Pack stuff separate. Take backup chips. Fresh tops cold. Worth the work.

→ Need em faster?

Buy ready meat. Have stuff chopped. Quick melt cheese. One pan works. Still tastes good.

→ Making big batch?

Work in layers. Don't crowd pan. Keep stuff ready. Watch oven space. Make extra just in case.

→ Want more kick?

Add hot peppers. Spicy sauce good. Mix hot cheese in. Season meat more. Start slow though.

→ Too dry or wet?

More sauce helps. Drain meat good. Watch bean juice. Keep tops separate. Balance is key.

→ Need em pretty?

Layer stuff neat. Save fresh for top. Use colors bright. Make it even. Looks mean lots.

Conclusion

Love these? Try beef tacos next. Or make cheese dips. Both great for parties.

The Best Nachos

Fast party nacho fix.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
15 Minutes
Total Time
30 Minutes
By: Fatiha


Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Tex-Mex

Yield: 6 Servings

Dietary: Gluten-Free

Ingredients

01 2 tablespoons chili powder.
02 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt.
03 1 teaspoon granulated garlic.
04 1 teaspoon granulated onion.
05 1 teaspoon ground cumin.
06 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano.
07 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
08 Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional).
09 1 teaspoon vegetable oil.
10 1 pound ground beef (80:20 lean-to-fat ratio).
11 16 ounces (2 cups) refried beans, canned or homemade.
12 1/4 cup water.
13 1 large bag of tortilla chips.
14 4 ounces cheddar cheese, grated (about 2 cups), plus more for topping.
15 4 ounces Colby Jack cheese, grated (about 2 cups), plus more for topping.
16 1 cup pico de gallo, store-bought or homemade, plus more for topping.
17 1/4 cup chopped cilantro.
18 1 jalapeño (pickled or fresh), sliced.
19 Optional toppings: Guacamole, Salsa, Sour cream, Canned black olives, Sliced green onions, Shredded lettuce, Corn, Hot sauce.

Instructions

Step 01

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) to get started.

Step 02

Combine all the spices—chili powder, kosher salt, granulated garlic, granulated onion, ground cumin, dried oregano, black pepper, and cayenne pepper, if using—in a small bowl to create a delightful taco spice blend.

Step 03

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, warm the vegetable oil until it shimmers. Add the ground beef and the prepared spice blend, breaking the meat into crumbles as it cooks. Let it brown for about 8 minutes, then drain excess fat.

Step 04

Return the browned beef to the pan. Stir in the refried beans and water. Cook until the beans are smooth and well-heated. Keep this mixture warm over low heat as you continue.

Step 05

Arrange tortilla chips on a 13x18-inch oven-safe platter or sheet pan in a slightly overlapping single layer. Toast them in the preheated oven for about 5 minutes until they start to release a fragrant aroma.

Step 06

Carefully remove the pan and sprinkle half the grated cheeses over the warm chips. The heat from the chips will begin melting the cheese.

Step 07

Layer the beef and bean mixture over the cheesy chips. Follow with the remaining cheese, and return the pan to the oven. Bake for another 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted completely.

Step 08

Finish by topping the nachos with pico de gallo, chopped cilantro, and jalapeño slices. Add any additional preferred toppings. Serve immediately while hot.

Notes

  1. Nachos taste best when freshly made, so prepare only as much as you'll eat in one sitting.
  2. Avoid reheating nachos topped with sour cream, as they can become soggy.

Tools You'll Need

  • Oven.
  • Skillet.
  • Small bowl.
  • 13x18-inch oven-safe platter or sheet pan.
  • Colander.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Dairy.
  • Wheat (if using non-gluten-free chips).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 1237
  • Total Fat: 75 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 40 g
  • Protein: 98 g