Name: Ripper Beef Nachos
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Ingredients: 1 tbsp olive oil; 2 garlic cloves, minced; ½ onion, finely chopped; 1 lb (500 g) ground beef; 2 tbsp tomato paste; 2 tbsp water; 1 tsp each onion powder, dried oregano, salt; 2 tsp each cumin powder, paprika; ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste); 14 oz (400 g) corn chips (use sturdy chips, not thin ones); 2 cups grated cheese (cheddar, tasty, gruyere, or Monterey Jack); 1 batch Nachos Cheese Sauce, warm (see Note 3); Sliced scallions (shallots); Guacamole (homemade or store-bought); Pico de Gallo (see note below); Sour cream

Description

These fully loaded beef nachos are layered with spiced ground beef, a creamy homemade cheese sauce, and baked to melty perfection—perfect for game day or any party spread!

Ingredients

Beef:

1 tbsp olive oil

2 garlic cloves, minced

½ onion, finely chopped

1 lb (500 g) ground beef

2 tbsp tomato paste

2 tbsp water

Nachos Seasoning:

1 tsp each onion powder, dried oregano, salt

2 tsp each cumin powder, paprika

¼ tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)

Nachos:

14 oz (400 g) corn chips (use sturdy chips, not thin ones)

2 cups grated cheese (cheddar, tasty, gruyere, or Monterey Jack)

1 batch Nachos Cheese Sauce, warm (see Note 3)

Sides / Garnish:

Sliced scallions (shallots)

Guacamole (homemade or store-bought)

Pico de Gallo (see note below)

Sour cream

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Instructions

Cook the beef:
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and onion; cook until softened. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up until browned.

Add seasoning:
Stir in Nachos Seasoning, tomato paste, and water. Cook for 2 more minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

Preheat oven:
Preheat to 350°F (180°C).

Assemble nachos (layer 1):
Spread half the corn chips in a single layer on a baking tray. Drizzle about 1 cup of warm Nachos Cheese Sauce over the chips. Top with half the beef mixture and half the grated cheese.

Assemble nachos (layer 2):
Repeat with remaining chips, cheese sauce, beef, and cheese — ensuring the cheese sauce is mostly covered to prevent browning.

Bake:
Bake for about 15 minutes, until cheese is fully melted and bubbly.

Serve:
Garnish with sliced scallions and serve hot with guacamole, Pico de Gallo, and sour cream on the side.

Notes

Cheese Sauce Tip: Keep the Nachos Cheese Sauce warm and pourable. Reheat gently in the microwave before assembling; do not thin with milk or water or the chips will get soggy.

Chip Choice: Use thick, sturdy corn chips — thin ones will soften quickly.

Pico de Gallo: Combine diced tomatoes, chopped red onion, cilantro, lime juice, salt, and pepper.

Variation: Substitute homemade seasoning with 1 packet taco seasoning for convenience.

Make-Ahead: Prepare the beef and cheese sauce in advance; assemble and bake just before serving.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Game Day
Method: Baking / Oven
Cuisine: Tex-Mex