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Savory Loaded Nachos Recipe Easy Creamy Queso and Ground Beef Guide

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A quick and easy recipe for loaded nachos featuring creamy queso sauce and perfectly seasoned ground beef, layered with fresh toppings for a satisfying meal or snack.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 cups (240 grams) sturdy, thick-cut tortilla chips
  • 1 pound (450 grams) ground beef (80/20 preferred)
  • 8 oz (225 grams) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 4 oz (115 grams) Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
  • 4 oz (115 grams) Velveeta or processed cheese
  • 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk (or 2% or dairy-free milk like oat milk)
  • 2 tablespoons (28 grams) unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons (15 grams) all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup (75 grams) finely chopped onion
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup diced tomatoes
  • ½ cup sliced jalapeños (optional)
  • ½ cup chopped green onions
  • ½ cup sliced black olives
  • ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1 avocado, diced (optional)
  • Sour cream or Greek yogurt, for serving

Instructions

  1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook for 5–7 minutes, breaking it up with a spatula.
  2. Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the beef. Cook another 3 minutes until beef is fully cooked and onions are soft. Drain excess fat if necessary.
  3. Sprinkle chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, onion powder, salt, and pepper over the beef. Stir well to combine and set aside.
  4. In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for about 1 minute until bubbling but not browned.
  5. Slowly whisk in milk, ensuring no lumps form. Continue whisking until mixture thickens, about 3-5 minutes.
  6. Lower heat and add shredded cheeses in batches, stirring constantly until fully melted and smooth. Remove from heat.
  7. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). On a baking sheet or oven-safe platter, spread a layer of tortilla chips evenly.
  8. Spoon half of the cooked ground beef evenly over the chips, then drizzle half of the queso sauce on top.
  9. Repeat with another layer of chips, beef, and queso sauce.
  10. Bake assembled nachos in the oven for 8-10 minutes until warmed through and cheese sauce bubbles slightly.
  11. Remove from oven and scatter diced tomatoes, jalapeños, green onions, black olives, and cilantro over the top.
  12. Add diced avocado if using, and dollops of sour cream or Greek yogurt for creaminess.
  13. Serve immediately while warm for best texture and flavor.

Notes

Avoid overcrowding the pan when browning beef to get better flavor. Whisk queso sauce continuously to prevent lumps and graininess. Layer nachos to keep chips crispy. Add fresh toppings after baking to maintain freshness and crunch. Queso sauce can be made ahead and reheated gently. For gluten-free, substitute flour with gluten-free flour or cornstarch. For vegetarian, replace beef with seasoned black beans or lentils.

Nutrition

Keywords: loaded nachos, creamy queso, ground beef, easy nachos, game day recipe, quick dinner, Mexican appetizer

Find it online: https://emmaoven.com/savory-loaded-nachos-recipe-easy-creamy-queso-and-ground-beef-guide/