Name: Loaded Nachos Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 1 Tablespoon olive oil; ½ cup diced onion; 1 pound ground beef; 1 1 oz package taco seasoning; ½ cup hot water; ⅔ cup black beans (drained and rinsed); 12 ounce bag tortilla chips (thick and sturdy); 1 ½ cups grated cheddar cheese; 1 ½ cups grated Monterey Jack cheese; Diced Roma Tomatoes; Sour cream or Mexican Crema; Diced red onions; Chopped cilantro; Sliced Jalapenos; Sliced Black Olives; Cubed Avocado

Jump to Recipe

If you’re craving a festive, crowd-pleasing appetizer or a hearty snack, nothing satisfies quite like Loaded Nachos. This colorful mountain of crispy tortilla chips piled high with savory ground beef, black beans, a melty duo of cheeses, and a rainbow of fresh toppings is the kind of dish that brings people together. Whether you’re planning a game day get-together or simply treating yourself to a cozy night in, Loaded Nachos deliver bold flavors and irresistible textures in every bite.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of Loaded Nachos is in their simplicity—each ingredient not only brings its own unique flavor, but also builds the ultimate balance of crunch, richness, and freshness. Here’s the lineup that ensures every layer is memorable.

Olive oil: Sautéing the onion and beef in olive oil infuses the base with fragrant flavor and helps everything brown beautifully.
Onion (½ cup, diced): Adds a gentle sweetness and aromatic depth to the beef mixture.
Ground beef (1 pound): The star protein brings meaty flavor and satisfying bite to each nacho.
Taco seasoning (1 packet, 1 oz): Delivers that beloved, zesty Tex-Mex flavor profile with minimal fuss.
Hot water (½ cup): Helps dissolve the seasoning and creates a saucy mixture that clings to the chips.
Black beans (⅔ cup, drained and rinsed): Adds hearty texture and mild earthiness that pairs so well with the beef.
Tortilla chips (12-ounce bag, thick and sturdy): Sturdy chips are essential for holding up all the glorious toppings without getting soggy.
Cheddar cheese (1½ cups, grated): Provides a golden, sharp, melty layer that pops with color.
Monterey Jack cheese (1½ cups, grated): Its creamy texture ensures lots of oozy cheese pulls in every bite.
Roma tomatoes (diced): Gives a juicy burst of freshness and vibrant color right at the end.
Sour cream or Mexican crema: Offers cool creaminess to contrast all the savory layers.
Red onions (diced): A little sprinkle brightens up everything with gentle bite and crunch.
Cilantro (chopped): Brings an herbal finish and a pretty pop of green.
Jalapenos (sliced): Fresh or pickled, a few rings add just the right kick of heat.
Black olives (sliced): Adds briny depth and visual appeal.
Avocado (cubed): Creamy, buttery cubes for a luxurious finishing touch.

How to Make Loaded Nachos

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. This ensures it’s hot and ready, so your cheese melts perfectly and the chips crisp up without burning. Preheating is key for making sure all the toppings hit that irresistible hot-and-melty sweet spot.

Step 2: Cook the Beef and Onions

In a large skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil, then toss in the diced onion and ground beef. Brown them together, breaking the beef apart with a spatula, until no pink remains and the onion is soft—about 5 to 7 minutes. Once everything’s cooked through, drain off any excess fat to keep your Loaded Nachos tasty but not greasy.

Step 3: Add Seasoning and Black Beans

Sprinkle in the taco seasoning and pour in the hot water, stirring it all so the flavors get evenly distributed. Mix in the black beans and simmer for 5 minutes, or until the sauce thickens and most of the water evaporates. This step infuses the meat and beans with tons of flavor while creating a luscious filling that clings to every chip.

Step 4: Layer the Chips and Toppings

While the filling simmers, spread your thick, sturdy tortilla chips in a single layer on a big, rimmed baking sheet. Sprinkle on half the grated cheeses, then spoon the savory beef and bean mixture all over. Top that with the remaining cheese, ensuring every inch gets its share of cheesy coverage. This double cheese technique guarantees gooeyness all the way through.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Pop the sheet pan into your preheated oven and bake for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and melted to golden perfection. Keep an eye on things in the last couple of minutes: you want deep cheesy goodness without risking burnt chips.

Step 6: Load Up the Fresh Toppings

Carefully remove the nachos from the oven and immediately scatter on diced tomatoes, red onions, cilantro, jalapenos, olives, avocado, and dollops of sour cream or Mexican crema. This fresh finishing touch makes Loaded Nachos vibrant, colorful, and downright irresistible. Serve them right away while everything is hot and the chips still have their satisfying crunch!

How to Serve Loaded Nachos

Garnishes

Finish your nachos with bold, beautiful garnishes like fresh cilantro, sliced jalapenos, and creamy avocado. These toppings don’t just make Loaded Nachos look gorgeous—they add layers of texture, heat, and brightness in every bite. A sprinkle of flaky sea salt or a squeeze of fresh lime can take things to the next level.

Side Dishes

Round out your nacho feast with classic Mexican sides. Fresh guacamole, pico de gallo, or chunky salsa make for happy dipping. For a heartier spread, serve with Mexican rice or a refreshing black bean and corn salad. Each of these sides complements the flavors and brings balance to your Loaded Nachos table.

Creative Ways to Present

Think outside the pan! Try layering the nachos directly on a large wooden board or serving them in individual cast iron skillets for an impressive touch. For parties or game days, set up a DIY Loaded Nachos bar with all the toppings on the side, so everyone can customize their mountain of crunch exactly how they like it.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you find yourself with leftover Loaded Nachos, transfer the toppings and chips (minus the cold garnishes) to an airtight container. They’ll keep in the fridge for up to 2 days. It’s best to store any sour cream, avocado, and fresh veggies separately to maintain their texture and flavor.

Freezing

While tortilla chips themselves don’t love the freezer, you can absolutely freeze the cooked beef and bean mixture on its own! Just cool it completely and stash in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months. When nacho cravings hit, all you’ll need are fresh chips and cheese to whip things up quickly.

Reheating

To bring leftover Loaded Nachos back to their crispy, melty glory, spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet and reheat in a 350 degree oven for about 8 to 10 minutes. This keeps the chips crisp and the cheese luscious. Avoid microwaving, because that’ll leave you with soggy nachos and nobody wants that!

FAQs

Can I use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef?

Absolutely! Both ground turkey and chicken are delicious in place of beef and will soak up the taco seasoning beautifully. Just follow the same cooking steps and your Loaded Nachos will still turn out hearty and full of flavor.

What kind of chips work best for Loaded Nachos?

Choose thick, sturdy tortilla chips that can hold up all the toppings without breaking or going soggy. Restaurant-style or cantina-style chips work especially well; anything too thin might buckle under all that cheesy goodness.

How can I make these nachos vegetarian?

It’s easy—just skip the beef, double the black beans, and consider adding extra veggies like sautéed bell peppers or mushrooms. The remaining toppings and cheese make the vegetarian Loaded Nachos every bit as satisfying.

Can I prep these ahead for a party?

You can prepare the beef and bean filling in advance and grate your cheese ahead of time. When it’s party time, just assemble everything on the baking sheet and bake right before serving for that perfect gooey crunch.

How do I keep nachos from getting soggy?

The trick is to use sturdy chips and to add fresh toppings like tomatoes and sour cream just before serving, not before baking. If you’re serving a crowd, smaller batches baked and served hot are always the way to go for ultimate crunch!

Final Thoughts

There’s just something downright joyful about gathering friends and family for a platter of Loaded Nachos, still bubbling from the oven and covered in all your favorite toppings. This recipe brings together the best of comfort food with vibrant flavors and playful textures that everyone loves. So go ahead—invite your favorite people over, pile everything high, and get ready to dig in!

Loaded Nachos Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 28 reviews

Author: Ethan
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Enjoy the ultimate crowd-pleaser with these loaded nachos. Crispy tortilla chips topped with savory beef, gooey cheese, and all your favorite fixings for a fiesta of flavors in every bite.

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
In a skillet over medium heat brown ground beef and onions until no pink remains. Drain off fat.
Stir in taco seasoning, water, and black beans. Simmer for 5 minutes or until sauce thickens and water evaporates.
While the beef mixture is cooking, spread tortilla chips onto a large, rimmed baking sheet. Top with ½ of the cheese, then the beef mixture, and remaining cheese.
Bake for 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Remove from the oven and add desired toppings. Serve immediately.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Appetizer
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Mexican