These loaded nachos are piled high with crispy tortilla chips, a silky homemade cheese sauce, seasoned beef, pico de gallo, jalapeños, and guacamole. In fact, they are the ultimate shareable snack for game day or movie night. Interestingly, the dish has a great origin story. In 1943, Ignacio “Nacho” Anaya created the first plate at the Victory Club in Piedras Negras, Mexico, using fried tortilla triangles, cheese, and pickled jalapeños. Today, October 21 is celebrated as the International Day of the Nacho (Wikipedia).
Key Takeaways
- Layering chips and toppings twice means every chip gets covered.
- A quick stovetop cheese sauce stays smooth and drippy.
- Add cold toppings after baking so the chips stay crisp.
Why You Will Love These Loaded Nachos
- Made for sharing: Indeed, one sheet pan feeds a crowd.
- Quick: In fact, they are ready in about 25 minutes.
- Customizable: For example, swap the beef for chicken, beans, or chorizo.
- Restaurant-style: Moreover, the homemade cheese sauce beats any jar.
Loaded Nachos Ingredients
- Tortilla chips: Above all, thick, sturdy chips hold up best under toppings.
- Ground beef and taco seasoning: Alternatively, use black beans for a vegetarian version.
- Cheese sauce: For this, you need butter, flour, milk, and shredded cheddar.
- Toppings: Finally, add pico de gallo, pickled jalapeños, guacamole, sour cream, and cilantro.
How to Make Loaded Nachos
The full measurements are in the recipe card at the end of this post. Meanwhile, here is the method.
1. Cook the beef. First, brown the beef, drain the fat, and stir in the taco seasoning and a splash of water.
2. Make the cheese sauce. Next, melt the butter, whisk in the flour, then add the milk. Once thick, stir in the cheddar until smooth.
3. Layer and bake. Then spread half the chips on a sheet pan, add half the beef and sauce, and repeat. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 5 to 7 minutes.
4. Top and serve. Finally, add the pico de gallo, jalapeños, guacamole, sour cream, and cilantro. Serve immediately.
Tips for the Best Loaded Nachos
- Use a single layer. Otherwise, overlapping too much leaves some chips bare.
- Shred your own cheese. Pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking agents, so it melts less smoothly.
- Bake briefly. Otherwise, the chips burn at the edges.
- Serve right away. In fact, nachos are best within 10 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I keep loaded nachos from getting soggy?
First, use thick chips; then drain the beef well and add wet toppings like salsa and sour cream only after baking.
Can I make them vegetarian?
Yes. In that case, simply replace the beef with seasoned black or pinto beans and corn.
Can I prep ahead?
Absolutely. For instance, cook the beef and chop the toppings ahead. Then assemble and bake just before serving.
Final Thoughts
All in all, loaded nachos are the easiest way to feed a hungry crowd. Plus, they are cheesy, crunchy, and endlessly customizable.
For the perfect topping, make our homemade guacamole, or pair with our crispy chicken wings.
AuthorEmma food bloggerDifficultyBeginnerTortilla chips layered with seasoned beef and homemade cheddar sauce, then topped with pico de gallo, jalapenos, guacamole, and sour cream. Serves 6.
Beef
Cheese Sauce
Nachos
Cook the beef. Brown the beef in a skillet, drain the fat, and stir in the taco seasoning and water. Simmer 2 minutes.
Make the cheese sauce. Melt the butter, whisk in the flour for 1 minute, then whisk in the milk until thickened. Stir in the cheddar until smooth.
Layer. Heat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Spread half the chips on a sheet pan, top with half the beef and sauce, and repeat.
Bake. Bake 5–7 minutes until hot.
Top and serve. Add the pico de gallo, jalapeños, guacamole, sour cream, and cilantro. Serve immediately.
6 servings
1/6 of pan
- Amount per serving
- Calories720
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 47g61%
- Saturated Fat 18g90%
- Trans Fat 1g
- Cholesterol 100mg34%
- Sodium 800mg35%
- Total Carbohydrate 43g16%
- Dietary Fiber 4g15%
- Total Sugars 4g
- Protein 28g
* The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Ingredients
Beef
Cheese Sauce
Nachos
Sources
- Wikipedia, Ignacio Anaya and the origin of the dish
