Description
Legendary game day nachos featuring a two-stage baking method to ensure crispy chips, a smooth cheese sauce stabilized with cornstarch, and homemade chili. This recipe feeds a crowd and is customizable for various dietary needs.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large bags (about 1.5 lbs) sturdy tortilla chips (restaurant-style)
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup Pepper Jack cheese, shredded
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 4 stalks green onions, sliced
- 1/2 cup jalapeños, sliced (fresh or pickled)
- 1 cup medium salsa
- 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line two large rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper or foil.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and crumbly (8-10 minutes). Drain excess grease, leaving about 1 tablespoon.
- Add chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and onion powder to the beef. Stir for 1 minute to toast spices. Add tomato sauce and drained black beans. Simmer on low for 10 minutes until thick. Set aside.
- In a bowl, combine shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Pepper Jack cheeses. Sprinkle cornstarch over the cheese and toss gently to coat evenly.
- Spread tortilla chips in a single, even layer on the prepared baking sheets. Divide the cheese blend evenly over the chips.
- Bake for 5-7 minutes until cheese is mostly melted and bubbly, but chips are not yet browned. Remove from oven.
- Spoon the warm chili evenly over the cheesy chips. Return to oven and bake for another 3-5 minutes until chips are golden and crispy at the edges.
- Remove from oven and let sit for 2 minutes. Top with jalapeños, black olives, green onions, and salsa.
- Serve immediately with dollops of sour cream and fresh cilantro on the side or sprinkled on top.
Notes
Do not overcrowd the pan; use two sheets to keep chips in a single layer. Keep chili thick to prevent soggy chips. Grate your own cheese for better melting; pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents. Add sour cream and fresh herbs after baking to prevent wilting or breaking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 1/8 of
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 680
- Fat: 28
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 18
Keywords: nachos, game day snack, chili cheese nachos, party food, easy recipe, crowd pleaser, Mexican inspired