Nachos with Beef

Nachos with Beef is a classic snack that works perfectly as a shared dinner or a treat for guests. This recipe brings together crispy tortilla chips and a savoury meat topping for a satisfying meal. It is very simple to assemble and requires only a few basic kitchen tools to complete. You can customise the heat by adding more or less chillies depending on your preference.
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.8 (31 ratings)
Share the recipe here
Photo of the finished dish for the recipe Nachos with Beef

Why nachos with beef is a favourite

Preparing Nachos with Beef at home allows you to use high quality ingredients like fresh lean mince and sharp cheddar. You can ensure the chips remain crunchy by assembling the layers just before you put them into the oven. Homemade versions are often much more generous with toppings than what you might find at a restaurant. This is a very budget friendly way to feed a group of people with minimal effort.

Follow these simple steps for nachos with beef

Step 1
Cook the beef: Heat a large frying pan over a medium heat and add the minced beef. Fry the meat until it is browned all over and then drain any excess liquid or fat. Add the chopped onion and continue cooking until the onion is soft. Stir in the taco seasoning to ensure all the meat is well flavoured.
Step 2
Prepare the chips: Preheat your oven to 200 degrees Celsius to prepare for the final baking stage. Take a large baking tray and spread the tortilla chips across it in an even layer. Try to keep the chips spread out so that every piece can be covered with toppings later. This helps maintain the crunch of the base.
Step 3
Add toppings: Spoon the cooked beef mixture evenly over the tortilla chips on the tray. Add small spoonfuls of the tomato salsa across the top of the beef to add moisture. Sprinkle the grated cheddar cheese generously over the entire surface. Place the sliced jalapeños on top if you want to add a bit of heat to the dish.
Step 4
Bake and serve: Place the tray in the hot oven and bake for about ten minutes. The cheese should be completely melted and bubbly when you take it out. Remove the tray from the oven and serve the food immediately while it is piping hot. You can add extra toppings like sour cream or fresh coriander at the table.

Tips to make nachos with beef even better

To keep your Nachos with Beef as crispy as possible, make sure you drain the beef very well after browning. Any extra liquid will soak into the chips and make them soft. Using a thick and chunky salsa instead of a watery one also helps preserve the texture. You can try layering the chips and cheese twice to get a better cheese distribution throughout the tray. If you like extra flavour, you can squeeze some fresh lime juice over the top just before serving.

Grating your own cheese from a block usually results in a much better melt than using prepacked grated cheese. If you have leftovers, you can heat them in the oven for a few minutes to bring back some of the crunch.

Find more ideas here: pasta with pork tenderloin, shepherd’s pie or duck carcass soup.

Ingredients

servings
Adjust quantity
  • 500 g minced beef
  • 1 brown onion finely chopped
  • 30 g taco seasoning
  • 200 g salted tortilla chips
  • 200 g grated cheddar cheese
  • 300 g tomato salsa
  • 1 fresh jalapeño sliced

Cooking time

Kitchen tools

Nutrition information

NUTRITIONper serving
  • Energy:3284 kJ / 785 kcal
  • Fat:48 g
  • - of which saturates:22 g
  • Carbohydrates:42 g
  • - of which sugars:5 g
  • Protein:45 g
  • Fibre:6 g
  • Salt:1.7 g

People also ask

The best way to prevent sogginess is to drain all the fat from the meat before adding it to the chips. You should also place the cheese directly on the chips to create a protective barrier. Serve the Nachos with Beef immediately after baking for the best texture.
A sharp cheddar or a Monterey Jack cheese works best because they melt easily and have a strong flavour. For this Nachos with Beef recipe, grating the cheese yourself will provide a smoother and more even melt than using pre grated varieties.
You can cook the beef mixture and chop your vegetables ahead of time to save time later. However, you should wait to assemble the Nachos with Beef until you are ready to put them in the oven. This ensures the chips stay crispy and do not absorb moisture while sitting.
What do you think of this recipe?
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
4.8 / 5 - (31 ratings)