BBQ Beef Nachos (Printable version)

Crispy chips topped with smoky barbecue beef, melted cheese, jalapeños, and fresh toppings for game day.

# What You'll Need:

→ Beef

01 - 1 pound ground beef
02 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 cup barbecue sauce
05 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
06 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Nachos

07 - 10 ounces sturdy tortilla chips
08 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
09 - 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

→ Toppings

10 - 1/2 cup sour cream
11 - 1/3 cup sliced pickled jalapeños
12 - 1/2 cup diced red onion
13 - 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
14 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
15 - 1 avocado, diced (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Set oven to 400°F.
02 - Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and chopped onion, cooking until beef is fully browned and onion is softened, approximately 6 to 8 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
03 - Add minced garlic, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in barbecue sauce and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
04 - Spread tortilla chips in an even layer on a large baking sheet or ovenproof platter.
05 - Distribute barbecue beef mixture evenly over the chips. Top uniformly with shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses.
06 - Place in preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes until cheese is completely melted and bubbly.
07 - Remove from oven and immediately top with sour cream, pickled jalapeños, diced red onion, tomatoes, cilantro, and avocado if desired.
08 - Transfer to serving vessel and serve immediately while cheese remains warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in under 40 minutes, which means you can make them right before guests arrive without breaking a sweat.
  • The smoky barbecue beef adds a twist that makes these nachos feel less like a snack and more like a proper meal.
  • You can prep the beef ahead and just assemble and bake when youre ready to eat.
  • Theyre messy, cheesy, and completely satisfying in a way that makes everyone reach for seconds.
02 -
  • Do not skip draining the beef if it looks oily, or your nachos will end up sitting in a greasy puddle.
  • Layer the cheese directly on the beef, not just the chips, so every bite has that melty goodness.
  • Serve these straight from the oven because nachos wait for no one and they get soggy fast.
03 -
  • Use a mix of cheddar and Monterey Jack for the perfect melt, cheddar alone can get greasy and Monterey Jack alone is too mild.
  • If youre feeding a big crowd, make two trays and stagger them in the oven so you always have a hot batch ready.
  • Toast your tortilla chips lightly in the oven for a few minutes before adding toppings if you want extra crunch that holds up longer.
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