Loaded Beef Nachos🍖 Main

Name: Loaded Beef Nachos
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 9 servings
Ingredients: 1 1/2 tsp chili powder; 1 tsp ground cumin; 1/2 tsp smoked paprika; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1/4 tsp dried oregano; 3/4 tsp fine sea salt, plus more as needed; 1 tbsp avocado oil; 1 lb lean ground beef, 90/10; 2 tbsp tomato paste; 1/2 cup chicken stock or water; 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained; 1 (15-ounce) can refried beans or 1 1/2 cups homemade refried beans; 1 (11 ounce) bag tortilla chips or homemade tortilla chips; 2 cups shredded Sharp Cheddar, Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, or a mix; 1/2 cup sour cream; 1 cup guacamole or diced avocado; 1 cup pico de gallo or chopped tomatoes; 1/4 cup fresh cilantro; 1/4 cup black olives; 1/4 cup pickled jalapeños or thinly sliced jalapeño; hot sauce

A tray of crispy tortilla chips piled high with spiced beef crumbles, two varieties of beans, and gooey melted cheese, finished with all your preferred nacho garnishes.

By Priya Patel, Recipe Curator

Prep: 10 minCook: 20 minServes: 9

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Nothing brings people together quite like a massive platter of nachos fresh from the oven, with steam rising from melted cheese and the aroma of cumin-spiced beef filling your kitchen. This recipe strikes the perfect balance between convenience and homemade flavor by combining two types of beans with seasoned ground beef, creating layers of texture that ensure every chip gets its fair share of toppings. Whether you're hosting game day, feeding hungry teenagers, or just craving serious comfort food, these nachos deliver restaurant-quality results without the hefty price tag.

The secret to perfect nachos lies in timing and layering. By warming your chips before adding toppings, you create a crispy foundation that won't turn soggy under all that delicious weight. Notice how the recipe calls for adding cheese in two stages—this isn't just for show. The first layer acts as a protective barrier between the chips and the moist beef mixture, while the top layer creates that irresistible golden, bubbly finish. Don't skip the step of breaking down the beef while it browns; smaller crumbles distribute more evenly across your chips and give you a better beef-to-chip ratio in every bite.

Feel free to make this recipe your own by swapping the beef for ground turkey or crumbled chorizo, or go vegetarian by doubling up on the beans and adding sautéed peppers. For an extra flavor boost, mix some of the spice blend into your sour cream before dolloping it on top. Just remember: nachos wait for no one, so have your guests gathered before you pull that sheet pan from the oven.

Ingredients

For the Spice Mix

1 1/2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp dried oregano
3/4 tsp fine sea salt, plus more as needed

For the Beef and Bean Mixture

1 tbsp avocado oil
1 lb lean ground beef, 90/10
2 tbsp tomato paste
1/2 cup chicken stock or water
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 (15-ounce) can refried beans or 1 1/2 cups homemade refried beans

For Assembly

1 (11 ounce) bag tortilla chips or homemade tortilla chips
2 cups shredded Sharp Cheddar, Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, or a mix

Optional Toppings

1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup guacamole or diced avocado
1 cup pico de gallo or chopped tomatoes
1/4 cup fresh cilantro
1/4 cup black olives
1/4 cup pickled jalapeños or thinly sliced jalapeño
hot sauce

Nutrition (Per 9 servings)*

461

Calories

23g

Protein

36g

Carbs

25g

Fat

Fiber

734mg

Sodium

* AI-estimated values only — not a substitute for professional nutrition labeling.

Instructions

Prep

Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

Make Spice Mix

In a small bowl, stir together the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, dried oregano, and salt.

Brown the Meat

Heat the avocado oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, pat it down into the skillet, and sprinkle the spice mixture over it. Use a wooden spoon to break up the meat as it cooks, stirring until it begins to brown.

Add the Beans

Stir in the tomato paste and cook for another 2 minutes. Add the chicken stock or water, black beans, and refried beans. Stir for a few minutes until everything is heated through. Taste and add more salt if needed.

Prepare the Chips

Spread the tortilla chips in a single layer, letting them overlap a little, on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for about 5 minutes, until they are warm and smell toasty.

Build Nachos

Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheese evenly over the chips. Spoon the beef and bean mixture on top, then add the remaining cheese. Put the baking sheet back in the oven and bake for 2 to 3 minutes, until the cheese is melted.

Serve

Add your favorite toppings to the nachos. Try spoonfuls of sour cream, guacamole, and pico de gallo, then sprinkle on chopped cilantro, sliced olives, and pickled jalapeños.