Beef Nacho Platter with All Toppings (Print View)
Layers of seasoned beef, melted cheese, and fresh toppings on crispy chips.
# What You'll Need:
→ Beef Mixture
01 - 1 lb ground beef
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 tsp ground cumin
06 - 1 tsp chili powder
07 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
08 - 1/2 tsp dried oregano
09 - 1/2 tsp salt
10 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
11 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
12 - 1/4 cup water
→ Nachos
13 - 10 oz tortilla chips
14 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
15 - 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
→ Toppings
16 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, diced
17 - 1 cup black beans, rinsed and drained
18 - 1/2 cup red onion, finely diced
19 - 1/2 cup pickled jalapeños, sliced
20 - 1 avocado, diced
21 - 1/2 cup sour cream
22 - 1/2 cup guacamole
23 - 1/2 cup salsa
24 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
25 - 1/4 cup sliced black olives
26 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced
27 - Lime wedges for serving
# Step-by-Step Directions:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add finely chopped onion and cook until softened, about 2 minutes.
03 - Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
04 - Add ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until fully browned, approximately 5 minutes.
05 - Stir in ground cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute to release aromas.
06 - Incorporate tomato paste and water, stirring thoroughly. Simmer for 3 to 4 minutes until the mixture thickens, then remove from heat.
07 - Spread half of the tortilla chips on a large ovenproof platter or baking sheet. Top evenly with half of the cooked beef and half of the combined cheeses.
08 - Repeat layering with remaining chips, beef, and cheeses to create a second layer.
09 - Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
10 - Remove from oven and evenly scatter cherry tomatoes, black beans, diced red onion, sliced jalapeños, avocado, black olives, and green onions over the nachos.
11 - Dollop sour cream, guacamole, and salsa atop the layered ingredients. Sprinkle with fresh cilantro leaves.
12 - Serve immediately accompanied by lime wedges on the side.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- It comes together in under 35 minutes, which means you can go from craving to serving before anyone gets too hungry.
- The beef stays flavorful and juicy because the spices bloom in the oil before the meat hits the pan, a trick that makes all the difference.
- You control the toppings, so everyone gets exactly what they want without the drama of special requests.
02 -
- Don't skip the layering step; a single layer of chips topped with all the beef will create some soggy spots while others stay crunchy, but two layers distribute everything evenly so every bite is balanced.
- Add your creamy toppings like sour cream and guacamole right before serving, not before baking, or they'll separate and turn weepy under the heat.
- Use a large platter rather than a tall pile; nachos are meant to be shared and easily grabbed, not stacked like a tower.
03 -
- Toast your tortilla chips in the oven for 2 minutes before building if they've been sitting in a bag for a while; it brings back their crunch and warmth.
- Warm your lime wedges slightly before serving—they release more juice and brighten the dish with their aroma as well as their flavor.