When it comes to comfort food, nachos are a crowd-pleaser with their perfect combination of crunchy chips, savory meat, creamy beans, and melted cheese. This recipe takes it up a notch with flavorful toppings like fresh tomatoes, tangy pickled jalapeños, and zesty cilantro. Whether it’s for a game day snack or a casual dinner, these nachos are sure to satisfy!
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (16 ounces) low-fat refried beans
- 1 large bag of thick corn tortilla chips
- 2 roma tomatoes, diced
- 1/2 cup pickled jalapeños, sliced
- 1/4 cup black olives, sliced
- 1 package (8 ounces) shredded cheese, Cheddar or Monterrey Jack
- 2 to 3 green onions, chopped
- 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
- 1/4 cup salsa
- 1 to 2 tablespoons cumin, to taste
- 2 to 3 tablespoons chili powder, to taste
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Sour cream, extra salsa, and guacamole for serving
Directions:
- Preheat your oven: Set the oven to 400°F (200°C), selecting either bake or convection bake mode depending on your oven.
- Cook the ground beef and onions: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and chopped onion, cooking until the meat is browned and the onions are softened. Stir occasionally for even cooking.
- Season the meat: Season with salt, cumin, chili powder, and black pepper to taste. Adjust the seasoning as you go. Once the beef is fully cooked, drain any excess grease to avoid an oily dish.
- Add beans and salsa: Mix in the black beans and refried beans, along with 1/4 cup of salsa. Stir everything together until well combined and heated through. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Prepare the nacho base: Lay the tortilla chips in a single layer on a large baking sheet, ensuring they overlap slightly to support the toppings.
- Assemble the nachos: Spoon the beef and bean mixture over the chips. Then, top with diced tomatoes, sliced jalapeños, black olives, and the white parts of the chopped green onions. Sprinkle a generous amount of shredded cheese on top.
- Bake the nachos: Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for about 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Add final toppings: Once baked, remove from the oven and sprinkle with the green parts of the green onions and chopped cilantro for a fresh burst of flavor.
- Serve immediately: Serve the nachos with bowls of sour cream, salsa, and guacamole on the side, so everyone can customize their serving to their liking.
Enjoy your homemade Best Nachos—a perfect balance of savory, spicy, and cheesy goodness!