Loaded Nachos with Jalapeños (Print version)

Crispy chips topped with savory beef, creamy cheese sauce, and pickled jalapeños for a flavorful bite.

# What You Need:

→ Nachos Base

01 - 12 oz sturdy tortilla chips
02 - 1 lb ground beef
03 - 1 tbsp olive oil
04 - 1 tsp chili powder
05 - 1/2 tsp ground cumin
06 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
07 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
08 - 1/2 tsp onion powder
09 - 1/2 tsp salt
10 - 1/4 tsp black pepper

→ Cheese Sauce

11 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
12 - 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
13 - 1 cup whole milk
14 - 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
15 - 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
16 - 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
17 - 1/4 tsp salt

→ Toppings

18 - 1/2 cup pickled jalapeño slices
19 - 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
20 - 1/3 cup sliced scallions
21 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
22 - 1/2 cup sour cream

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon, approximately 5 to 6 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
03 - Stir in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Cook for an additional 2 minutes. Set aside.
04 - Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute until bubbling but not browned.
05 - Gradually whisk in milk until smooth. Bring to a simmer and cook until slightly thickened, approximately 2 to 3 minutes.
06 - Lower heat and add cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, cayenne pepper, and salt. Whisk until cheese is fully melted and sauce is smooth. Remove from heat.
07 - Spread tortilla chips evenly on a large oven-safe platter or baking sheet.
08 - Top chips with seasoned beef, then drizzle generously with cheese sauce.
09 - Scatter jalapeño slices, diced tomatoes, and scallions over the top.
10 - Transfer to the oven and bake for 5 to 7 minutes, until everything is heated through and bubbly.
11 - Remove from oven. Garnish with chopped cilantro and dollops of sour cream. Serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • You can prep everything separately and assemble in minutes, which means you're actually enjoying the party instead of stuck in the kitchen.
  • The homemade cheese sauce tastes nothing like the jarred stuff and makes people ask if you went to culinary school.
  • It feeds a crowd without feeling like you've made three different dishes.
02 -
  • Don't skip draining the fat from the beef—too much grease makes the seasoning slide off and leaves a greasy layer on top of the cheese.
  • Whisking the milk into the roux slowly is non-negotiable; dump it all in at once and you'll be fighting lumps the whole time.
  • The oven time is short on purpose—you want the nachos to stay crispy, not turn into a soggy casserole.
  • Assemble right before baking, not hours ahead, or the chips will start absorbing moisture and going soft.
03 -
  • Make the cheese sauce first and keep it warm off the heat while you cook the beef—this way everything's ready to assemble at the same time and you're not rushing.
  • Use an oven-safe platter that's big enough so chips aren't stacked too high; they'll cook more evenly and stay crispier that way.
  • Have all your toppings prepped and within reach before you start assembling—nachos happen fast once they're on the sheet.
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