Beef Nachos Jalapenos Cheese (Print Version)
Crunchy chips layered with savory beef, spicy jalapenos, and melted cheese for a tasty snack option.
# What You'll Need:
→ Beef Mixture
01 - 9 oz ground beef
02 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 tbsp olive oil
05 - 1 tsp ground cumin
06 - 1 tsp chili powder
07 - ½ tsp smoked paprika
08 - ½ tsp salt
09 - ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
→ Nachos Assembly
10 - 7 oz tortilla chips
11 - 5 oz grated cheddar cheese
12 - 2 oz grated Monterey Jack cheese
13 - 2 fresh jalapenos, thinly sliced
14 - 2 spring onions, sliced
15 - 1 medium tomato, diced
16 - 2 tbsp fresh coriander, chopped (optional)
→ To Serve
17 - Sour cream
18 - Salsa
19 - Guacamole
# Directions:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add finely chopped onion and minced garlic; cook until softened, about 2 to 3 minutes.
03 - Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook until browned and fully cooked, approximately 5 to 6 minutes.
04 - Stir in ground cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Cook for an additional 2 minutes then remove from heat.
05 - Spread tortilla chips evenly across a large baking tray or ovenproof dish. Distribute the cooked beef mixture evenly over the chips.
06 - Scatter grated cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses over the beef layer. Top with sliced jalapenos, spring onions, and diced tomato.
07 - Place the tray in the preheated oven and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until the cheese has melted and is bubbly.
08 - Remove nachos from the oven, sprinkle chopped fresh coriander if using, and serve immediately accompanied by sour cream, salsa, and guacamole.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The beef stays seasoned and tender without being fussy, soaking into every chip you grab.
- Melted cheese and jalapenos create this perfect heat-and-cool moment that makes you reach for another.
- Everything comes together in under thirty minutes, which means you can go from craving to eating without much fuss.
02 -
- Don't layer the chips too thick or bake too long—you want them to stay a little crispy even after the cheese melts, not turn into nachos pudding.
- Taste the beef mixture before you spread it on the chips and adjust seasoning then, because it won't get better once it's buried under cheese.
- Use a baking dish instead of a flat tray if your kitchen gets drafty; it keeps the heat more even and the cheese melts uniformly.
03 -
- Buy pre-grated cheese if it saves you time, but add it to the pan off heat so you have better control over the melting.
- If you're cooking for a crowd, make two trays instead of one overcrowded tray—everyone gets better cheese distribution and faster cooking.