Beef Nachos with Jalapeños (Printable)
Layered tortilla chips topped with seasoned beef, jalapeños, and melted cheese for a perfect appetizer.
# What you'll need:
→ Meat
01 - 9 oz ground beef
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
→ Vegetables and Aromatics
03 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1–2 fresh jalapeños, thinly sliced (seeds removed for milder heat)
→ Seasonings
06 - 1 tsp ground cumin
07 - 1 tsp chili powder
08 - ½ tsp paprika
09 - ½ tsp salt
10 - ¼ tsp ground black pepper
→ Main Components
11 - 7 oz tortilla chips (gluten-free if required)
12 - 7 oz shredded cheddar cheese
13 - 3.5 oz shredded Monterey Jack cheese
→ Optional Toppings
14 - 3.5 oz sour cream
15 - 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
16 - 1 small tomato, diced
17 - 1 small red onion, finely diced
18 - 1 lime, cut into wedges
# Directions:
01 - Set oven to 400°F (200°C).
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook for 2–3 minutes until softened.
03 - Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds. Add ground beef, breaking it apart, and cook until evenly browned, approximately 5–6 minutes.
04 - Mix in cumin, chili powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for an additional minute then remove from heat.
05 - Spread half of the tortilla chips evenly on a large, oven-safe platter or baking sheet. Top with half the beef mixture, jalapeños, and cheeses.
06 - Repeat the layering process with the remaining chips, beef, jalapeños, and cheeses to form a second layer.
07 - Place the layered platter in the preheated oven and bake for 8–10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
08 - Remove from oven and garnish with diced tomato, red onion, chopped cilantro, and dollops of sour cream. Serve immediately with lime wedges.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- Ready in 35 minutes, which means you can feed hungry people without spending your whole evening cooking.
- Built for sharing and customizing—everyone can pile on exactly what they want.
- Crispy chips stay textured under the melted cheese instead of getting soggy, thanks to the two-layer trick.
02 -
- Layering matters more than you'd think—a single layer gets soggy, but two balanced layers keep the chips crispy underneath.
- Don't skip toasting the spices; that minute makes the difference between flat beef and beef that tastes intentional.
03 -
- Use an oven-safe skillet instead of a platter if you have one—you can finish the beef in it and go straight to topping and baking, which saves one step and one dish.
- Have all your toppings prepped before the nachos go in the oven; they come out hot and you want to serve them immediately while the cheese is still melted.