These sheet pan loaded beef nachos are going to become a hit! Layers of creamy queso, hearty taco meat, Rotel tomatoes, and melty cheesy baked until hot and bubbly then pour over a bed of tortilla chips. The ultimate appetizer no matter the occasion!
Skip the loaded nachos and make my cheesy loaded fries recipe instead!
LOADED BEEF NACHOS RECIPE
Nothing better than cheesy and hearty loaded nachos with your favorite toppings! Layered with creamy queso, taco meat, Rotel tomatoes, jalapenos, and melty cheese baked and then poured over crispy tortilla chips and finished with your favorite nacho toppings. This easy, cheesy loaded nachos recipe is the ultimate appetizer no matter the occasion!
WHAT YOU NEED-
- Chips– Use your favorite type of tortilla chips like classic, rounds or dippers. I like to use the classic flour tortilla chip rounds. Either corn or flour tortilla chips can be used.
- Queso– The key to the perfect melty cheese pan nachos is the cream con queso! I use the canned yellow con queso, if you prefer the blanco version you can use that instead.
- Taco Meat– You can use your favorite taco meat mixture. I use my simple ground beef taco meat! Swap the ground beef for ground chicken or turkey if preferred.
- Rotel Tomatoes– You can use either canned tomatoes or Rotel tomatoes. I like using Rotel tomatoes to get some green chilies’!
- Jalapenos– Adding jalapenos to this nachos dish is totally optional. Use canned or fresh jalapenos, either sliced or chopped. If you don’t like spice, simply leave the jalapenos out.
- Shredded Cheese– The final layer of this cheesy nacho dish is the shredded cheese! For the best results, you want to use shredded Mexican cheese blend.
HOW TO MAKE SHEET PAN LOADED NACHOS
Have this hearty ground beef loaded nachos dish ready in no time!
- Prepare the ground beef taco meat.
- Preheat the oven.
- In a large baking dish, add the queso and spread evenly. Then layer with the taco meat, Rotel tomatoes, jalapenos, and then top with shredded cheese.
- Bake until the cheese is completely melted and the queso mixture is hot and bubbly.
- Spread tortilla chips onto a large serving platter of baking dish. (You want the platter or the dish to be 9×13 or larger.)
- Carefully pour the hot cheesy taco mixture over the chips, covering all the chips.
- Finish with your favorite toppings, such as sour cream, pico de gallo, guac, fresh cilantro, and sliced jalapeños.
- Serve immediately while warm!
TOPPING IDEAS-
Elevate your loaded nachos with your favorite toppings for the ultimate game-day appetizer!
- Pico de Gallo
- Restaurant Style Salsa
- Guacamole
- Black Beans
- Corn Salsa
- Jalapenos
- Sour Cream
- Green onions
- Cilantro
- Hot Sauce
- Shrimp Taco Sauce
QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE:
Yes, you can totally make the taco meat up to 3-4 days ahead of time! Just store the meat in the fridge until ready to make these loaded nachos.
Adding ground beef to this loaded nachos recipe is totally optional! You can swap the ground beef for ground chicken or turkey beans or leave it out completely.
You can totally add a can of drained and rinsed black beans or pinto beans to the taco meat once it is cooked. This adds extra flavor and protein to the dish.
This method of baking the nacho topping then pouring it over the tortilla chips is a viral method that swept the internet. This keeps the chips fresh and crispy while still having hot and bubbly nacho cheese.
To avoid soggy chips, you want to pour the nacho topping right before serving! Avoid letting the chips sit under the toppings for too long, as they will soften.
Yes, you will just be making a smaller portion. In an air fryer liner or the bottom of the air fryer basket, layer the ingredients then air fry at 350°F until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Store the cheesy beef mixture separately from the tortilla chips in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or in a covered skillet over low heat until warmed through. Add fresh tortilla chips when serving.
OTHER DELICIOUS AND EASY APPETIZER RECIPES-
If you host often or love appetizers or snacks, check out all my other delicious appetizer ideas:
Sheet Pan Loaded Beef Nachos Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 bag tortilla chip rounds 10.5-12 oz bag
- 15 oz con queso cheese 1 can
- 10 oz rotel tomatoes mild or hot
- 1/4 cup sliced jalapenos canned or fresh
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mexican cheese
Ground Beef-
- 1 lb ground beef 85-90% lean
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- 2 Tbsp taco seasoning
- 3 Tbsp salsa
- 2 garlic cloves minced
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart as it browns. Once mostly cooked, add the minced garlic and seasonings. Continue cooking until the beef is fully browned and no longer pink, about 4-5 minutes. (Drain any excess grease.)1 lb ground beef , 85-90% lean, ½ tsp salt, ¼ tsp ground black pepper, 2 garlic cloves , minced, 2 Tbsp taco seasoning
- Stir in the salsa until everything is well combined. Remove from heat and set aside.3 Tbsp salsa
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- In a large 9×13 baking dish, add the queso and spread into an even layer. Sprinkle the taco meat over the queso, spreading evenly over the queso cheese. Follow by adding a layer of drained Rotel tomatoes and jalapenos. (You can leave the jalapenos out for mild nachos.)15 oz con queso cheese, 1 can, 10 oz rotel tomatoes, mild or hot, 1/4 cup sliced jalapenos, canned or fresh
- Sprinkle a generous layer of shredded Mexican cheese over the top.1 1/2 cups shredded mexican cheese
- Bake at 375°F for 15–20 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted and the queso mixture is hot and bubbly.
- Spread tortilla chips onto a large serving platter or baking dish. (You want the platter or the dish to be 9×13 or larger.)1 bag tortilla chip rounds, 10.5-12 oz bag
- Carefully pour the hot cheesy taco mixture over the chips, covering all the chips.
- Finish with your favorite toppings, such as sour cream, pico de gallo, guac, fresh cilantro, and sliced jalapeños.
- Serve immediately while warm!
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