Beef Nachos with Guacamole (Printable View)
Crispy tortilla chips piled high with savory spiced beef, melted cheese, and fresh guacamole. A crowd-pleasing Tex-Mex delight.
# Ingredient List:
→ For the Nachos
01 - 7 ounces tortilla chips
02 - 10.5 ounces ground beef
03 - 1 small onion, finely diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
06 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
07 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
08 - 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
11 - 1 1/2 cups grated cheddar cheese
12 - 1 cup grated Monterey Jack cheese
13 - 1 small jalapeño, thinly sliced (optional)
14 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
→ For the Guacamole
15 - 2 ripe avocados
16 - 1 small tomato, finely diced
17 - 1/4 small red onion, finely diced
18 - 1 clove garlic, minced
19 - Juice of 1 lime
20 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
21 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
22 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ For Serving
23 - 1/2 cup sour cream
24 - Lime wedges
# How to Prepare:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F.
02 - Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely diced onion and cook until translucent, about 2 minutes. Incorporate the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute.
03 - Add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until it is thoroughly browned, approximately 5-6 minutes.
04 - Stir in the ground cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. Continue cooking for 2 minutes to allow the spices to bloom. Remove the skillet from heat.
05 - Arrange the tortilla chips in an even layer on a large baking tray. Distribute the seasoned beef mixture evenly over the chips.
06 - Sprinkle both the cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses uniformly over the beef and chips. If desired, top with thinly sliced jalapeño. Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
07 - While the nachos are baking, prepare the guacamole. In a medium bowl, mash the ripe avocados with a fork until desired consistency is achieved. Stir in the finely diced tomato, finely diced red onion, minced garlic, lime juice, 2 tablespoons of fresh cilantro, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste.
08 - Carefully remove the baked nachos from the oven. Top with generous dollops of freshly prepared guacamole and sour cream. Garnish with additional fresh cilantro and serve immediately with lime wedges on the side.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- You can genuinely have a full, satisfying meal on the table in under an hour, even on a busy weeknight.
- It&s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that sparks joy and conversation whenever you share it.
02 -
- Always use two types of cheese; the blend creates a much more interesting flavor and a better melt.
- Preheating your baking sheet with the chips for a minute or two before adding toppings helps keep them crisper.
03 -
- For truly epic cheese pull, use freshly grated block cheese — pre-shredded varieties contain anti-caking agents that hinder melt.
- Don&t rush the browning of the beef; developing that rich, caramelized flavor is key to savory nachos.