Beef Nachos with Jalapenos and Cheese (Printable)

Tex-Mex crowd-pleaser with seasoned beef, melty cheese, and spicy jalapenos on crispy tortilla chips.

# What You Need:

→ Beef Seasoning

01 - 10.5 oz ground beef (80/20 blend)
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
06 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
07 - 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
08 - 0.5 teaspoon salt
09 - 0.25 teaspoon black pepper

→ Nacho Assembly

10 - 7 oz tortilla chips, thick-cut
11 - 5 oz shredded cheddar cheese
12 - 3.5 oz shredded Monterey Jack cheese
13 - 2 fresh jalapenos, thinly sliced
14 - 2 spring onions, sliced
15 - 3.5 oz cherry tomatoes, quartered
16 - 2 oz sour cream, optional for serving
17 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
18 - 1 lime, cut into wedges

# How To Make:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F.
02 - Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; sauté for 2 minutes until softened.
03 - Add ground beef to the skillet. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, approximately 5-6 minutes.
04 - Stir in cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for 2 additional minutes. Remove from heat.
05 - Arrange tortilla chips in an even layer on a large oven-safe platter or baking sheet.
06 - Spoon the beef mixture evenly over the chips.
07 - Sprinkle both cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses evenly over the beef. Scatter sliced jalapenos over the cheese.
08 - Bake for 7-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
09 - Remove from oven. Top with spring onions and cherry tomatoes.
10 - Serve immediately with sour cream, fresh cilantro, and lime wedges if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The combination of two cheeses creates that restaurant-quality stretch that makes everyone reach for seconds before the first serving is gone.
  • You can customize toppings based on what you have in the fridge, making this your reliable go-to when unexpected guests show up.
02 -
  • Never skip preheating the oven completely, or youll end up with half-melted cheese and lukewarm toppings that ruin the entire experience.
  • Spreading the chips in a single layer rather than piling them high means everyone gets perfectly loaded nachos instead of bare chips underneath.
03 -
  • Layer some cheese directly on the chips first, then beef, then more cheese, creating a protective cheese barrier that prevents the chips from getting soggy from the meat.
  • For the ultimate texture contrast, add a handful of fresh tortilla chips right before serving, giving some bites that perfect crunch against the melted toppings.

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