Beef Nacho Platter Loaded Toppings (Print version)
Crispy chips layered with seasoned beef, melted cheese, and fresh toppings, ideal for sharing and entertaining.
# Ingredient List:
→ Beef Mixture
01 - 1 lb ground beef (85% lean)
02 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 tbsp chili powder
05 - 1 tsp ground cumin
06 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
07 - 1/2 tsp salt
08 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
09 - 1/4 cup tomato sauce
→ Chips & Cheese
10 - 8 oz sturdy tortilla chips
11 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
12 - 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
→ Toppings
13 - 1/2 cup sour cream
14 - 1 cup fresh tomato, diced
15 - 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
16 - 1 jalapeño, thinly sliced (optional)
17 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
18 - 1 avocado, diced
19 - Lime wedges, for serving
# How To Make It:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
02 - In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef for about 4 minutes. Add the onion and garlic, cooking until softened, approximately 2 to 3 minutes.
03 - Incorporate chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper; cook for 1 more minute. Stir in tomato sauce and simmer until slightly thickened, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat.
04 - On a large baking sheet or ovenproof platter, spread half the tortilla chips. Evenly layer half of the beef mixture and half the cheeses over the chips. Repeat with the remaining chips, beef, and cheese.
05 - Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until the cheese has melted and is bubbly.
06 - Remove from oven and top with diced tomato, red onion, jalapeño slices, avocado, and chopped cilantro.
07 - Drizzle with sour cream or serve it on the side. Garnish with lime wedges and serve immediately.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It's the rare dish that somehow feels both impressive and effortless to pull together.
- Everyone customizes their own bite, so there's zero pressure to please everyone's palate at once.
- You can have it ready in under 30 minutes, which means more time actually enjoying the people you're feeding.
02 -
- If you add toppings before baking, they'll wilt and the raw onion will turn unpleasantly soft instead of snappy.
- The moment the cheese stops bubbling is the exact moment to pull it out—a minute longer and the bottom chips start losing their structure.
03 -
- Buying pre-shredded cheese is fine—it cooks the same way and nobody will taste a difference, so save your effort for things that matter.
- If you're making this ahead, keep the beef warm in a low oven and assemble everything else right when you're ready to serve.