BBQ Beef Nachos (Printer-friendly)

Tortilla chips piled with smoky barbecue beef, melty cheese, and bold toppings for game day.

# Ingredient List:

→ 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)

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F.
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef and chopped onion until beef is 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. Stir in barbecue sauce and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes until slightly thickened.
04 - Spread tortilla chips evenly on a large baking sheet or ovenproof platter.
05 - Spoon the barbecue beef mixture evenly over the chips. Sprinkle cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses uniformly across the top.
06 - Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
07 - Remove from oven and immediately top with sour cream, pickled jalapeños, diced red onion, tomatoes, cilantro, and diced avocado if desired.
08 - Transfer to serving platter and serve while cheese remains warm and toppings are fresh.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in under forty minutes, so you can pull together a crowd-pleaser without missing the kickoff.
  • The barbecue sauce does all the heavy lifting for flavor, and you probably already have most of the ingredients in your pantry.
  • Leftovers reheat beautifully in the oven, which means you can sneak a midnight snack without any guilt.
02 -
  • Do not skip draining the beef, excess grease will soak into the chips and turn them limp before they even hit the oven.
  • Use a baking sheet with a rim to catch any cheese that bubbles over, saving you a smoky mess in the bottom of your oven.
  • Add the fresh toppings only after baking, cilantro and avocado turn sad and wilted under high heat.
03 -
  • Toast your tortilla chips in the oven for three minutes before adding toppings to lock in their crunch and prevent sogginess.
  • Grate your own cheese from a block instead of using pre-shredded, it melts smoother and tastes infinitely better.
  • Finish with a squeeze of fresh lime juice over the top for a bright, citrusy punch that ties all the flavors together.
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