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Home » Course » Appetizers

Loaded Beef Nachos

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August 20, 2022

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Homemade loaded beef nachos have an amazing beef and bean mixture with tons of nacho toppings. These supreme nachos make a great appetizer or party snack.
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loaded beef nachos.

These colorful and mouthwatering loaded beef nachos are an amazing game day and party snack and most likely the best homemade nachos you have ever tasted. They are loaded with juicy ground beef and beans filling, creamy and delicious nacho cheese sauce and topped with all your favorite Mexican toppings.

You can use store bought toppings in case you need your nachos to come together fast, or try our easy to follow recipes and make homemade queso blanco, guacamole and pico de gallo.

close up of loaded beef nachos

We have also included some tips on how to turn gluten free loaded beef and beans nachos into a crowd pleasing nacho bar at your next Mexican themed fiesta.

❤️ WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS NACHO RECIPE

✔️ The combination of crunchy chips, flavorful taco meat, creamy cheese and fresh toppings is just to die for.

✔️ Everything you love about Mexican food in one amazing appetizer. Or, if you’re like us, eat it as a meal.

✔️ These vibrant nachos supreme make a crowd pleasing party snack.

✔️ It only takes 30 minutes to make loaded nachos!

Large plate of loaded beef nachos.
Plate of beef nachos.
Plate of loaded beef nachos.

Table of Contents

  • LOADED BEEF NACHOS INGREDIENTS
  • INSTRUCTIONS
  • HOW TO MAKE LOADED BEEF NACHOS AHEAD
  • STORAGE TIPS
  • NACHO TOPPINGS
  • MORE RECIPES TO EAT WITH CHIPS
  • FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
  • Loaded Beef Nachos

LOADED BEEF NACHOS INGREDIENTS

This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for beef and beans nachos, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.

You may have all of these easy loaded nachos ingredients in your refrigerator or pantry and not need to make a trip to the grocery store. See recipe card below for ingredient amounts.

  • Tortilla Chips: We used plain corn tortilla chips for this recipe, but you can get creative and try different flavors if you prefer. We do not recommend using “thin & crispy” chips because they will break when you lift them with the toppings.
  • Queso Blanco: We love our recipe for homemade nacho cheese sauce. It makes these amazing nachos even more yummy. But if you are in a hurry use your favorite store bought brand.
  • Beef and Beans: Follow our quick and easy recipe for ground beef taco filling or substitute your favorite taco meat.
  • Sour Cream: You can also substitute plain Greek yogurt if you like to cut calories.
  • Guacamole: Use homemade or store bought.
  • Pico De Gallo: Use homemade or store bought.
  • Olives: We used sliced black olives.
  • Jalapeños: Sliced, pickled jalapeños add a little tangy and spicy kick to these nachos. You can also substitute diced fresh jalapeños or leave them out in case you don’t like spicy.
  • Green Onions
ingredients for loaded ground beef nachos

INSTRUCTIONS

This section shows how to cook loaded nachos, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique. For full instructions, nutritional information, to print the recipe or to have the recipe scaled to double or triple, see the recipe card below.

PREPARE MEAT: Brown the ground beef, then drain the grease.

Pan of cooked ground beef and other ingredients.
Skillet of ground beef and refried beans.

FINISH BEEF MIXTURE: First, add water and spices, then stir to combine and coat the meat with the spice mixture. Add refried beans, salsa and sour cream. Stir again until well blended.

🔴 TIP: Use your favorite taco meat. You can substitute your favorite taco meat for the beef and beans mixture or just add refried beans without the beef for a vegetarian option.

Mixed ground beef and beans in a skillet.
Tortilla chips with beef mixture and cheese.

LAYER CHIPS: Spread some heated chips in a single layer on a platter, drizzle with a ⅓  of the cheese sauce and top with half of the beef mixture. Then repeat this step with the remaining chips, taco meat and another ⅓  of the cheese sauce.

🔴 TIP: Don’t skip layering your chips, Single layer loaded nachos will just be a plate of empty chips after you eat off the top layer.

Layered nachos.
second layer of beef and cheese on nachos

ADD TOPPINGS: Drizzle the remaining queso blanco on top of the layered chips and garnish with desired toppings. Serve immediately.

🔴 TIP: Use ready made nacho toppings for convenience. Buy pico de gallo, guacamole and queso for quick nachos. Or use our recipes to make your own.

Plate of nachos with salsa, sour cream, olives, guacamole and more toppings.
Large plate of loaded beef nachos.

HOW TO MAKE LOADED BEEF NACHOS AHEAD

Beef and beans can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in an airtight container. Reheat slowly on the stove before adding to nachos. Add a tablespoon of water to thin out, if necessary.

Homemade queso blanco can be made up to 5 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat slowly on medium-low on the stove. Add a little milk to thin out, if necessary.

Cut up toppings up to 2 days in advance and keep them in the refrigerator.

TIPS FOR THE BEST LOADED NACHOS

Follow these tips to make the best beef and beans nachos.

✔️ Use homemade toppings. These nachos are best when you make your own queso blanco and beef and beans mixture! You can make these ahead of time if you would like. Double to use in other recipes. The beef and beans make a great burrito filling.

✔️ Heat your chips in the oven first. You can skip this step but the nachos are so much better on warm tortilla chips.

✔️ Layer the chips and toppings! Single layer loaded nachos will just be a plate of empty chips after you eat off the top layer.

✔️ Serve immediately after assembly. These don’t save well.

STORAGE TIPS

Assembled loaded nachos need to be eaten immediately. You can store individual ingredients by themselves for a couple of days.

Refrigerate: Homemade queso blanco can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Beef and beans can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Cut up toppings keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Reheat: Queso blanco and beef mixture can be reheated on the stove over medium-low heat. You can adjust consistency by adding a bit of milk to the cheese sauce and water to the beef and beans.

loaded nachos topped with guacamole, olives, jalapenos and other toppings

NACHO TOPPINGS

Just like tacos, nachos can easily be personalized with different toppings. While the crunchy chips, tasty ground beef mixture and creamy cheese build the base for this scrumptious dish, it’s the fresh toppings that bring them to another level of delicious! We love topping our nachos with:

  • Ground Beef Taco Filling
  • Queso Blanco (Nacho Cheese Sauce)
  • Instant Pot Black Beans
  • Instant Pot Mexican Rice
  • Pico de Gallo
  • Guacamole: or diced avocado
  • Sliced Black Olives
  • Sour Cream: cilantro lime sour cream, dairy free sour cream
  • Salsa: mango habanero salsa, restaurant style salsa, salsa verde
  • Jalapeños
  • Fresh cilantro and lime wedges

MORE RECIPES TO EAT WITH CHIPS

If you love love gluten free loaded beef and beans nachos you’ll enjoy our BBQ chicken nachos, Easy 7 Layer Dip, Hot Pizza Dip, Rotel Dip with Sausage, or Artichoke Spinach Dip with Cream Cheese.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

For perfect results every time, here are answers to the most common questions about cooking easy loaded beef nachos.

Is it possible to make these supreme nachos vegetarian?

Yes. Use only refried beans to layer the chips instead of the beef mixture.

How can I serve loaded nachos for a crowd?

You can easily turn this yummy recipe into a spectacular DIY nacho bar. Double the recipe for the beef and beans mixture, then transfer to a crockpot and keep on warm. The queso blanco will also stay warm in a small slow cooker or fondue pot. You can serve the corn chips, taco meat, and cheese together with the rest of the toppings on a buffet table, so everyone can build their own loaded nachos with their preferred toppings.

loaded beef nachos.
5 from 1 vote

Loaded Beef Nachos


Course Appetizer
Cuisine American, Mexican
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
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8 servings
Homemade loaded beef nachos have an amazing beef and bean mixture with tons of nacho toppings. These supreme nachos make a great appetizer or party snack.
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Equipment

  • large skillet
  • cooking spatula
  • platter or baking pan
  • knife and cutting board

Ingredients
  

  • 1 bag Tortilla chips
  • 2 cups queso blanco (homemade or store bought)
  • 4 cups cooked beef and beans (see recipe below)
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 cup guacamole
  • 1 cup pico de gallo
  • ½ cup sliced olives
  • ½ cup pickled jalapeños sliced
  • ¼ cup green onions diced

Beef and Beans Ingredients:

  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 3 tbsp water
  • 2 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
  • 2 cups refried beans (homemade or one 16 ounce can)
  • ½ cup restaurant style salsa (homemade or store bought)

Instructions

Beef and Beans Instructions:

  • In a large skillet, over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef. Drain grease.
    raw ground beef in a skillet
  • Add the water, chili powder, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, oregano, salt, pepper and cayenne pepper. Stir to combine and coat the meat with all the spices.
    Pan of cooked ground beef and other ingredients.
  • Add refried beans, salsa and sour cream. Stir until combined and heated through.
    Skillet of ground beef and refried beans.

Nacho Instructions:

  • Heat the chips on a baking sheet in the oven at 350ºF for 5 minutes.
  • Spread half the tortilla chips in a single layer on the a large platter or baking pan.
  • Drizzle about ⅓ of the cheese sauce over the top; top with half of the beef mixture.
    Tortilla chips with beef mixture and cheese.
  • Repeat with the remaining chips, ⅓ cup of cheese sauce and remaining beef mixture.
    Layered nachos.
  • Top with remaining cheese sauce. Then garnish with desired toppings; serve immediately.
    ready to eat loaded nachos with toppings

Notes

  • You can substitute your favorite taco meat for the beef and beans mixture or just add refried beans without the beef for a vegetarian option.
  • Buy your pico de gallo, guacamole and queso for quick nachos. Or use our recipes to make your own.

Nutrition

Calories: 565kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 57mg | Sodium: 1600mg | Potassium: 566mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 1159IU | Vitamin C: 20mg | Calcium: 164mg | Iron: 3mg

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posted in: American, Appetizers, Beans, Beef, Cheese, Course, Cuisine, Diet, Game Day Party Snacks, Gluten Free, Ingredient, Main Dish, Method, Mexican Inspired, Occasion, Stovetop, Vegetables

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