Beef Nacho Platter with Toppings (Print Version)
Crispy tortilla chips piled high with seasoned ground beef, melted cheese, and all your favorite toppings.
# What You Need:
→ Beef
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
# How to Prepare:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F.
02 - Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened, about 2 minutes.
03 - Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
04 - Add ground beef and cook, breaking up with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink, about 5 minutes.
05 - Stir in cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute until aromatic.
06 - Add tomato paste and water. Mix thoroughly and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat.
07 - Arrange half of the tortilla chips on a large ovenproof platter. Top with half the beef mixture and half the shredded cheeses.
08 - Top with remaining chips, beef, and cheeses evenly.
09 - Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes until cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
10 - Remove from oven. Evenly scatter cherry tomatoes, black beans, red onion, jalapeños, avocado, olives, and green onions over the nachos.
11 - Dollop sour cream, guacamole, and salsa over the top. Sprinkle freshly chopped cilantro.
12 - Serve immediately, accompanied by lime wedges.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It feeds a crowd without requiring you to hover over the stove the entire time.
- The beauty is in the layers—everyone gets exactly what they want on their plate.
- You can prep most toppings ahead, then assemble and bake in minutes flat.
02 -
- Don't skip the browning step on the beef—it's where all the flavor concentration happens, not just in the spices.
- Fresh tortilla chips make an actual difference; stale chips turn soggy and fall apart before you even get them on a plate.
- Add your cool toppings only after the nachos come out of the oven—avocado and fresh cilantro wilt under direct heat.
03 -
- Prep all your toppings and chop your vegetables a few hours ahead—the assembly part is what matters in the final moments.
- If you're feeding a bigger crowd, make two platters instead of one monster platter; they heat more evenly and look better on the table.