Beef Nachos with Jalapenos Cheese (Printable Version)
Tortilla chips topped with seasoned ground beef, melted cheese, and spicy jalapenos for a flavorful snack or appetizer.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meat & Seasonings
01 - 9 oz ground beef, 80/20 lean-to-fat ratio
02 - 1 tsp ground cumin
03 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
04 - 1/2 tsp chili powder
05 - 1/2 tsp salt
06 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
→ Vegetables & Aromatics
07 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
08 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
09 - 1-2 fresh jalapenos, thinly sliced
10 - 2 tomatoes, diced
11 - 2 spring onions, sliced
→ Cheese & Chips
12 - 5 oz shredded cheddar cheese
13 - 3.5 oz shredded Monterey Jack cheese
14 - 7 oz tortilla chips
→ Garnishes & Serving
15 - 1/2 cup sour cream
16 - Fresh cilantro, chopped
17 - Lime wedges
# How to Make It:
01 - Set oven to 400°F for optimal cheese melting.
02 - Heat skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook 3-4 minutes, breaking apart with a spoon until crumbled and browned.
03 - Mix in chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté until onions soften and beef is fully browned, approximately 3 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
04 - Stir in cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, black pepper, and half the sliced jalapenos. Cook 1-2 minutes to blend flavors. Remove from heat.
05 - Arrange tortilla chips in a single even layer on a large baking sheet or oven-safe platter.
06 - Distribute the seasoned beef mixture evenly over the tortilla chips.
07 - Sprinkle cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses generously over the beef. Top with remaining jalapeno slices.
08 - Bake for 7-8 minutes until cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
09 - Remove from oven. Top with diced tomatoes, spring onions, and fresh cilantro. Serve immediately with sour cream and lime wedges on the side.
# Expert Insights:
01 -
- The beef gets deeply seasoned so every chip carries flavor, not just toppings
- Melting two cheeses together creates that perfect drizzly cheese pull everyone fights over
02 -
- Draining excess fat after browning prevents soggy chips, but leave a little for flavor
- Let the beef cool slightly before topping chips so they do not get steamy and soft too fast
03 -
- Squeeze fresh lime over everything right before serving to cut through all that richness
- Warm your sour cream slightly so it drizzles rather than clumps when you serve