Spicy Beef Nacho Platter (Printable)
A flavorful platter of crispy chips, spicy beef, melted cheese, and jalapeños, ideal for any gathering.
# What You'll Need:
→ For the Beef
01 - 1 lb ground beef
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 tbsp chili powder
06 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
07 - 1 tsp ground cumin
08 - ½ tsp cayenne pepper
09 - ½ tsp salt
10 - ¼ tsp black pepper
11 - ½ cup tomato sauce
→ For the Nachos
12 - 10 oz tortilla chips (thick-cut recommended)
13 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
14 - 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
15 - 1 fresh jalapeño, thinly sliced
16 - ¼ cup sliced pickled jalapeños
17 - ½ cup sour cream
18 - ½ cup diced fresh tomatoes
19 - ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
20 - ¼ cup sliced black olives
21 - 1 lime cut into wedges
# Directions:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F.
02 - Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté for 2–3 minutes until softened.
03 - Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until browned about 5–6 minutes.
04 - Stir in chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, cayenne, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute.
05 - Pour in tomato sauce and simmer for 3–4 minutes until the beef is saucy but not watery. Remove from heat.
06 - Arrange half the tortilla chips on a large baking sheet or oven-safe platter. Evenly top with half the beef, cheddar, and Monterey Jack cheese.
07 - Layer the remaining chips, beef, and cheeses. Sprinkle with fresh and pickled jalapeño slices.
08 - Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
09 - Remove from oven. Top with diced tomatoes, black olives, and cilantro. Drizzle with sour cream or serve it on the side.
10 - Serve immediately with lime wedges.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The spicy beef seasoning gets better as it cooks, filling your kitchen with the most incredible aroma that makes everyone gather around
- Layering the chips and cheese twice means every single chip gets covered, not just the ones on top
02 -
- Don't skip the tomato sauce in the beef mixture, it keeps everything from turning into a dry crumbly mess
- Let the nachos rest for about 3 minutes after baking so the cheese sets slightly and won't slide off when you serve
03 -
- Sprinkle a handful of cheese directly on the baking sheet before adding chips, it creates those crispy cheese edges everyone fights over
- Toss your chips with a tiny bit of oil before layering if they seem stale, they'll crisp up beautifully in the oven