Beef Nachos Jalapenos Cheese (Printable)

Crispy chips topped with savory beef, melted cheese, and spicy jalapenos for a flavorful snack.

# What You'll Need:

→ Beef

01 - 10 oz ground beef
02 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
04 - 1 tbsp olive oil
05 - 1 tsp ground cumin
06 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
07 - 1/2 tsp chili powder
08 - 1/2 tsp salt
09 - 1/4 tsp black pepper

→ Nachos

10 - 7 oz tortilla chips

→ Cheese

11 - 7 oz shredded cheddar cheese
12 - 3.5 oz shredded Monterey Jack cheese

→ Toppings

13 - 2–3 fresh jalapenos, thinly sliced
14 - 2 tomatoes, diced
15 - 3 tbsp sliced black olives (optional)
16 - 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
17 - 3.5 oz sour cream (for serving)
18 - 3.5 oz guacamole (for serving)

# How to Make It:

01 - Set the oven to 400°F to prepare for baking.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until translucent.
03 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add ground beef and cook until browned, about 5 to 6 minutes.
04 - Drain excess fat if necessary. Mix in cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute, then remove from heat.
05 - Spread tortilla chips evenly on a large ovenproof baking tray.
06 - Distribute the cooked beef evenly over the chips. Sprinkle shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses on top.
07 - Scatter sliced jalapenos, diced tomatoes, and black olives (if using) over the cheese layer.
08 - Place the tray in the oven and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
09 - Remove from oven, garnish with fresh cilantro, and serve immediately with sour cream and guacamole on the side.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 40 minutes, making it perfect for unexpected guests or a Friday night craving.
  • The combination of crispy, melty, savory, and spicy hits every craving at once—no dessert needed.
  • Ground beef cooked with warm spices creates a depth that tastes far more impressive than the minimal effort required.
02 -
  • Don't overload the bottom layer of chips with toppings or they'll become soggy and fall apart when you pick them up—less is actually more for structural integrity.
  • If you're making this ahead, assemble everything except the cheese, cover it, and add cheese just before baking so the toppings stay fresh rather than wilting in the fridge.
  • Freshly sliced jalapenos stay crisp and bright, but if you want more heat and don't mind softer peppers, pickled jalapenos add tanginess too.
03 -
  • If you want extra heat without overwhelming the dish, add a pinch of cayenne to the beef mixture rather than loading up on jalapenos—it spreads the spice evenly instead of creating hot spots.
  • Room-temperature guacamole stays creamier and tastes better than cold straight from the fridge, so pull it out a few minutes before serving.

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