BBQ Beef Nachos (Printable version)

Crispy chips topped with smoky barbecue beef, melted cheese, jalapeños, and fresh garnishes for game day.

# What You’ll Need:

→ 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)

# Directions:

01 - Heat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef and onion until beef is browned and onion is softened, approximately 6 to 8 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
03 - Add garlic, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper; cook for 1 additional 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 - Distribute barbecue beef mixture evenly over chips. Sprinkle cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses uniformly across the top.
06 - Bake in preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
07 - Remove from oven and top with sour cream, pickled jalapeños, diced red onion, tomatoes, cilantro, and avocado if desired.
08 - Transfer to serving platter and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It feeds a crowd without requiring you to stand over the stove for an hour.
  • The smoky barbecue beef adds a sweet, tangy twist that beats plain seasoned meat every time.
  • You can prep the beef ahead and just assemble when guests arrive.
  • It's messy, shareable, and everyone gets their hands dirty, which somehow makes it taste better.
02 -
  • If you pile the chips too high, the middle stays cold while the top burns, spread them wider instead of taller.
  • Don't add the wet toppings like sour cream and tomatoes before baking or you'll end up with soggy, watery nachos.
  • Let the beef mixture cool for a minute before spooning it on, scorching hot meat can make the chips go limp.
03 -
  • Use a cast iron skillet or ovenproof pan so you can build and bake in the same vessel, fewer dishes and better heat retention.
  • Add a handful of corn or black beans to the beef for extra texture and a hint of sweetness.
  • For maximum cheese coverage, sprinkle half the cheese before the beef and the other half on top.
  • If you like heat, mix a little hot sauce into the sour cream before drizzling it over the nachos.
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