The Crunch. The Cheese. The Zesty Flavor. You know you want it: Beef Nachos!
Nachos are the ultimate snack food: you’ve got the crispy, salty chips, melted cheese, and zesty seasoned meat, beans, and veggies. While there are a gazillion different ways to make nachos, the classic is this Beef Nachos. It’s all the things. Even though the original nachos, created by an inventive maître d’ back in the 1940s, were just fresh tortilla chips, melted cheese, and jalapenos, toppings like ground beef, refried beans, tomatoes, and green onions were eventually added to the must-have list.
Today, nachos of all types pop up as finger food at a party, a yummy ball-park treat, a staple of gameday spreads, and lots of other places. While all the iterations can be tasty, the classic Beef Nachos is guaranteed to be a filling, delicious dish whether it’s to share or just enjoy by yourself (I won’t tell if you eat the whole thing!).
You will love these Beef Nachos because they provide the perfect blend of spicy, salty, soft, and crispy flavors and textures. And you can easily change it up to accommodate individual preferences. Don’t like green onions? Leave them out or swap with diced red onion. Not a refried bean person? Try using canned black beans instead. The base recipe is solid, but you can definitely customize to your liking.
Taco Seasoning: The Real Deal
Any Tex-Mex recipe like Beef Nachos is going to involve taco seasoning. You may have your favorite brand, pre-mixed in a pouch that you pick up at your grocery store. If you don’t have a favorite brand or discover you’re out just before you start making Beef Nachos, never fear. You can whip up your own taco seasoning really easily. Most store-bought packets contain roughly 2 tablespoons of seasoning, which is what the recipe calls for. Simply mix 1 tablespoon chili powder, then 1/2 teaspoon each of the following: ground cumin, oregano, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt. Mix and use as needed!
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 yellow onion, diced
- 32 ounces tortilla chips
- 15 ounces refried beans
- 16 ounces shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese blend
- 3 roma tomatoes, diced
- 2 green onions, sliced
How to Make Beef Nachos
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400°F.
Step 2: In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and diced onions until the beef is browned and fully cooked, about 8 minutes. Drain any excess grease.
Step 3: Return the beef mixture to the skillet, add taco seasoning, and stir in 3/4 cup of water. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and let it simmer until the liquid has mostly evaporated, about 5 minutes.
Step 4: On two baking sheets lined with parchment paper, spread a generous layer of tortilla chips.
Step 5: Dollop refried beans over the chips, dividing evenly between the two baking sheets.
Step 6: Evenly distribute the seasoned ground beef on top of the chips and beans.
Step 7: Cover with shredded cheese blend.
Step 8: Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Step 9: Remove from the oven and immediately sprinkle diced tomatoes and sliced green onions over the top.
Step 10: Serve hot and enjoy your epic beef nachos supreme!
FAQs & Tips
How do I prep and store these nachos?
Beef Nachos are best enjoyed right after baking in the oven; however, you can certainly cook the ground beef, onion, and taco seasoning ahead of time. Simply cook as directed and store in the fridge until ready to use. Then proceed with Step 4, above. Store any leftovers in an airtight container, refrigerated, for up to 4-5 days. You may need to re-crisp the tortilla chips in the oven before reheating the toppings.
How can I kick up the spice level on Beef Nachos?
If you like things spicy, you can definitely add a few pinches of ground cayenne pepper to the ground beef while it’s cooking. Also, consider adding pickled jalapenos after the nachos bake. Hot sauce or extra spicy salsa are other options; even if you just have them set out, your guests can add as they like.
Why did my Beef Nachos turn out soggy?
There’s nothing sadder than a soggy tortilla chip. At least when eating nachos! To avoid this cruel fate, make sure the toppings are spread evenly. Consider a double layer of chips and cheese as well. Additionally, if you’ve made the beef mixture ahead of time, bring it to room temperature before adding to the chips.
Serving Suggestions
Beef Nachos are finger food, so they can be served as an appetizer. At the same time, they’re hearty enough for a main dish. If serving as a main dish, consider offering a variety of salsas to enjoy with the nachos. Other side dishes that pair well with Beef Nachos include our Smoked Corn on the Cob or Val’s Corn Pudding. Another option is a simple green salad tossed with our Cilantro Lime Dressing.
Beef Nachos
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 yellow onion diced
- 32 ounces tortilla chips
- 15 ounces refried beans
- 16 ounces shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese blend
- 3 roma tomatoes diced
- 2 green onions sliced
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and diced onions until the beef is browned and fully cooked, about 8 minutes. Drain any excess grease.
- Return the beef mixture to the skillet, add taco seasoning, and stir in 3/4 cup of water. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and let it simmer until the liquid has mostly evaporated, about 5 minutes.
- On two baking sheets lined with parchment paper, spread a generous layer of tortilla chips.
- Dollop refried beans over the chips, dividing evenly between the two baking sheets.
- Evenly distribute the seasoned ground beef on top of the chips and beans.
- Cover with shredded cheese blend.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and immediately sprinkle diced tomatoes and sliced green onions over the top.
- Serve hot and enjoy your epic beef nachos supreme!
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