Loaded Nachos—Crispy, Cheesy, and Piled High with Flavor
Loaded nachos are the ultimate crowd-pleaser—crunchy tortilla chips stacked with seasoned meat, gooey cheese, and a rainbow of toppings that hit every texture and taste. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family, hosting game night, or craving the best kind of comfort food, these nachos are fast, flavorful, and fully customizable. This version keeps it classic with juicy taco-seasoned ground beef, melted shredded cheese, fresh veggies, and dollops of sour cream and guacamole—but feel free to pile on whatever toppings your heart desires.
Why These Loaded Nachos Always Win
They come together in under 30 minutes and feel like a full meal. You get crispy chips with golden edges, savory beef with bold taco flavor, and tons of melty cheese in every bite. Each layer is loaded without being soggy thanks to proper assembly and oven-melted cheese. Plus, they’re perfect for sharing or tailoring to dietary needs—make them meaty, vegetarian, spicy, or kid-friendly with just a few tweaks.
Ingredients
For the Nachos
• 1 bag (12 oz) sturdy tortilla chips
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 tbsp olive oil (optional if beef is lean)
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 packet taco seasoning (or 2 tbsp homemade)
• ¼ cup water
• 2 cups shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
• ½ cup canned black beans, drained
• ½ cup corn (fresh, canned, or thawed frozen)
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved or diced
• ¼ cup red onion, finely chopped
• 1 jalapeño, sliced (optional)
• ¼ cup sliced black olives (optional)
• ½ avocado or guacamole
• Sour cream
• Fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef with olive oil until browned, breaking it up with a spoon.
- Add onion and garlic; sauté until softened, about 3–4 minutes.
- Stir in taco seasoning and water. Simmer for 3–5 minutes until thickened, then remove from heat.
- Spread half of the tortilla chips in an even layer on the prepared baking sheet.
- Sprinkle half the cheese and spoon half the beef mixture over the chips.
- Repeat with the remaining chips, beef, cheese, black beans, and corn.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until cheese is fully melted and bubbling.
- Remove from oven and top immediately with tomatoes, red onion, jalapeños, olives, sour cream, avocado or guacamole, and fresh cilantro.
- Serve hot straight from the pan, or portion into plates for less mess.
Tips for Perfect Loaded Nachos
Use thick, sturdy tortilla chips to hold all the toppings without getting soggy. Layer in two stages for even distribution. Always bake before adding fresh toppings like tomatoes or sour cream. Serve immediately for the best texture.
Variations
Swap ground beef for ground turkey, shredded chicken, or pulled pork. Use queso instead of shredded cheese for a creamier melt. Make vegetarian with mushrooms, black beans, or seasoned tofu. Add crushed red pepper or chipotle sauce for heat.
Storage
Nachos are best eaten fresh, but you can store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 10–15 minutes to crisp them back up. Avoid microwaving, which makes them soggy.
Final Thoughts
Loaded nachos are a total win—easy to assemble, endlessly flexible, and packed with everything you love in one crunchy, cheesy, colorful bite. Whether it’s Taco Tuesday or a cozy Friday night in, this recipe is the answer to your savory snack cravings.
Stick around—every visit tastes better than the last at The Buttered Bliss.
