Description
This delicious and crowd-pleasing recipe for The Best Nachos features layers of seasoned ground beef and refried beans, topped with melted cheddar and Colby Jack cheese, and finished with fresh pico de gallo, guacamole, sour cream, and jalapeños. Perfect for an easy appetizer or a fun family meal, these nachos combine bold Tex-Mex flavors with a satisfying crunch and creamy toppings.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Beans
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 packet taco seasoning (or homemade)
- 1 can (16 oz) refried beans
- 1/4 cup water
Nachos
- 1 bag thick tortilla chips (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 1/2 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese
Toppings and Garnish
- 1/2 cup pico de gallo (store-bought or homemade)
- 1/2 cup guacamole
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup sliced jalapeños (fresh or pickled)
- 1/4 cup diced onions
- 1/4 cup diced tomatoes
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
- Salsa (for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare the Beef and Beans: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook it while breaking it apart until browned thoroughly. Stir in the taco seasoning and water, then cook until the beef is fully seasoned and cooked through. Finally, stir in the refried beans and heat the mixture until warmed evenly. Set aside once done.
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the nachos.
- Assemble the Nachos: Spread a layer of thick tortilla chips evenly over a large baking sheet. Top the chips with half of the beef and bean mixture, then sprinkle a layer of shredded cheddar and Colby Jack cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake the Nachos: Place the assembled nachos in the preheated oven and bake for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese melts completely and becomes bubbly and golden.
- Add the Fresh Toppings: Remove the nachos from the oven and spread pico de gallo, guacamole, sour cream, jalapeños, diced onions, and diced tomatoes evenly over the baked chips.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle fresh cilantro over the top for a fragrant finish. Serve the nachos immediately with salsa on the side for dipping and extra flavor.
Notes
- For a spicier version, add extra jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the beef mixture.
- To make this dish vegetarian, omit the ground beef and add extra beans or use plant-based meat substitutes.
- Use homemade tortilla chips if desired by baking corn tortillas with a little oil until crispy.
- Leftover nachos can be reheated in the oven, but toppings like sour cream and guacamole are best added fresh.
- Customize toppings to your liking with olives, corn, or different cheeses.
