Spicy Beef Nachos Supreme (Printable)
Crispy tortilla chips piled high with spicy beef, melty cheese, and fresh toppings. The ultimate game day snack for sharing!
# What you'll need:
→ Beef
01 - 1 pound ground beef (80/20 preferred)
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 2 tablespoons taco seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
06 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
07 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
08 - 1/4 cup water
09 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Nachos & Cheese
10 - 10 ounces sturdy tortilla chips
11 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
12 - 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
→ Toppings
13 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, diced
14 - 1/2 cup pickled jalapeños, sliced
15 - 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
16 - 1/3 cup red onion, finely diced
17 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
18 - 1/2 cup sour cream
19 - 1 ripe avocado, sliced or cubed
20 - Lime wedges, for serving
# Directions:
01 - Preheat your oven to 400°F.
02 - In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the finely chopped yellow onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until it begins to soften. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until aromatic.
03 - Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spatula, and cook until thoroughly browned, approximately 5-6 minutes. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
04 - Season the beef with taco seasoning, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine, then add 1/4 cup of water. Allow to simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens. Remove the skillet from heat.
05 - Arrange half of the sturdy tortilla chips in an even layer on a large baking sheet. Distribute half of the seasoned beef mixture and half of the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses evenly over this chip layer.
06 - Layer the remaining tortilla chips over the first layer, followed by the remaining beef mixture and the rest of the shredded cheeses.
07 - Bake the nachos in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted and bubbly.
08 - Upon removing from the oven, immediately sprinkle the hot nachos with diced cherry tomatoes, sliced pickled jalapeños, sliced black olives, and finely diced red onion.
09 - Drizzle generously with sour cream, arrange sliced or cubed avocado, and sprinkle with fresh cilantro. Serve immediately, accompanied by lime wedges for a burst of freshness.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- It's an instant crowdpleaser; watching faces light up as you bring out a huge platter of these is pure joy.
- You can easily make this dish your own, swapping ingredients to suit any craving or dietary need.
02 -
- Never skip draining the fat from the ground beef; nobody wants soggy, greasy nachos.
- Layering the chips and cheese, rather than just one huge pile, ensures every single chip gets its share of deliciousness.
03 -
- To prevent soggy nachos, always add fresh, juicy toppings like tomatoes and avocado after baking, just before serving.
- Don't overcrowd your baking sheet; if you're making a large batch, use two sheets to ensure even melting and crisping.