Loaded Melty Cheese Nachos (Print)

Tortilla chips topped with cheese, zesty meat, beans, and fresh garnishes. Share as an appetizer or meal.

# Ingredients:

→ Base

01 - 1 bag (10–12 oz) tortilla chips
02 - 2 cups shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese

→ Meat (optional)

03 - 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey
04 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
05 - 1 packet taco seasoning
06 - 1/4 cup water

→ Toppings

07 - 1 cup black beans or pinto beans, drained and rinsed
08 - 1/2 cup corn kernels, fresh, frozen, or canned
09 - 1 jalapeño, thinly sliced
10 - 1 tomato, diced
11 - 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
12 - 1 avocado or guacamole
13 - 1/4 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
14 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
15 - Lime wedges, for serving

# Directions:

01 - Set oven to 400°F and allow to preheat while preparing other components.
02 - Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef or turkey and cook, breaking apart, until browned. Drain excess fat. Mix in taco seasoning and water, and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes until mixture is thickened.
03 - On a large baking sheet or oven-safe platter, spread half of the tortilla chips. Evenly distribute half the cheese, followed by half the prepared meat, beans, and corn. Repeat layering with the remaining chips, cheese, meat, beans, and corn.
04 - Place layered chips in the preheated oven and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly.
05 - Remove nachos from oven and immediately top with sliced jalapeños, diced tomato, chopped red onion, avocado or guacamole, dollops of sour cream, chopped cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice.
06 - Present nachos while hot, accompanied by napkins and forks for easy sharing.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Ready in under thirty minutes crunchy cheesy with no boring bites
  • Flexible with toppings and easy dairy free or vegan swaps
  • Crowd pleaser at parties and cozy enough for family dinners
  • Everything goes on one pan cleanup is a breeze
02 -
  • High protein from beans meat and cheese keeps you fuller longer
  • Naturally gluten free if your chips and seasonings are certified safe
  • All ingredients are easily swapped for vegetarian or dairy free options
03 -
  • Because nachos cook so quickly pre chop all your toppings for rapid assembly This keeps hot chips from getting soggy
  • Never skip parchment paper as it saves you from stubborn burnt cheese cleanup
  • As you build the layers sprinkle cheese on the chips before other toppings so the cheese acts as glue and keeps everything in place

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