My oven nachos are hearty, filling, and loaded with savory flavor! I make this easy nachos recipe with seasoned ground beef, beans, and cheese, then customize them with all of my family’s favorite toppings.
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My Favorite Way to Make Nachos in the Oven
Oven nachos are a go-to recipe in my house. With how customizable they are, they are always so fun to prepare and serve, no matter how many times I’ve made them.
My husband Ben always asks for jalapeños as a topping, and my kids, Leah and Connor, love to load theirs up with sour cream and guacamole. With creamy, chunky, and spicy options available, there is truly something for everyone to enjoy in my recipe!
While there is certainly more than one way to craft delicious nachos, making nachos in the oven has become my favorite method because of how simple it is. My recipe is super quick and easy to prepare on a single sheet pan, and the cleanup is seamless too.
Looking for more nacho recipes? Try my air fryer nachos, tater tot nachos, or pulled pork nachos next!
Easy Nachos Recipe Ingredients
- Ground beef – This classic topping makes the nachos so hearty and filling! I like using 80/20 ground beef for nachos for the best flavor without too much grease.
- Taco seasoning – Infuses smoky, savory flavor into the meat. I typically reach for store-bought seasoning, but a homemade seasoning blend will work just fine too.
- Tortilla chips – Sturdy, restaurant-style chips are my favorite. They hold up well without breaking or turning soggy.
- Salsa – Provides fresh, tangy flavor. Store-bought salsa will keep things simple, but homemade works well too if preferred. Mild, medium, and hot are all great options.
- Black beans – Hearty beans are packed with fiber and balance out the richness of the meat and cheese. Pinto beans or refried beans are great alternatives.
- Fresh jalapeños – For a kick of heat.
- Mexican cheese blend – Melts beautifully to add a creamy layer to the nachos.
- Sour cream – I love adding a dollop of cold sour cream on top at the end! It adds a rich and creamy flavor.
- Avocado – This creamy and buttery topping adds flavor, texture, and a beautiful splash of color.
- Cilantro – Adds color and freshness. Use as a garnish!
How to Make Nachos
A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.
STEP ONE: Cook the ground beef until browned, then drain any excess grease. Next, add in the taco seasoning (with a little water) and simmer for a few minutes.
STEP TWO: While the oven preheats to 400 degrees F, line a large sheet pan with foil or parchment paper.
STEP THREE: Spread the tortilla chips evenly in a single layer across the sheet pan. Spoon the seasoned beef, black beans, and cheese evenly over the chips.
STEP FOUR: Bake the nachos in the oven for 8 to 10 minutes, until the cheese melts, the chips are crisp, and everything is heated through.
STEP FIVE: Remove the nachos, then top them with salsa, sour cream, jalapeños, and avocado slices. Garnish with cilantro if desired and serve immediately.
Tips for the Best Oven Nachos
- Lining the sheet pan with aluminum foil makes clean up super easy. All I have to do is wrap it all up and toss it!
- I always preheat the oven before putting my nachos in. This helps with even cooking and ensures the cheese melts evenly.
- Avoid overbaking. Baking these nachos for too long will cause the cheese to burn or the chips to dry out.
- Toppings make it personal. There are so many delicious toppings to choose from, and sometimes we mix and match for something different each time. For game day, I’ll set up a nacho bar with all the toppings laid out.
- Be sure to serve these nachos immediately as they taste best hot and fresh out of the oven.
Beef Nachos Recipe Variations and Substitutions
- If ground beef is unavailable, ground turkey or chicken would make the best substitutes.
- For an even spicier flavor, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the meat while cooking it. This will infuse the heat into every bite!
- To switch up the cheesy flavor, I sometimes use sharp cheddar or Pepper Jack instead of my go-to Mexican blend.
- Pickled jalapeños can be used instead of fresh jalapeños for a bolder and tangier flavor.
- When I want to add additional texture, I include pico de gallo or fresh diced tomatoes as a topping.
What to Serve with Loaded Nachos
Two of my favorite toppings for nachos are sour cream and guacamole. They’re such a cool and creamy contrast to the hot and crunchy loaded chips. I also love serving these nachos with my homemade avocado lime crema and my spicy mango habanero salsa.
Oven Nachos FAQs
How do I prevent my loaded nachos from being soggy?
Using thick, restaurant-style chips guarantees the crispest nachos every time. I also try to layer the ingredients evenly for the best results. It is also important to save the wet ingredients like salsa, sour cream, and guacamole for after baking.
How should I store leftover beef nachos?
Stored in an airtight container, these nachos will last for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. I don’t recommend freezing them, as they will turn out soggy when thawed again, but the ground beef can certainly be prepared in advance and frozen for future use.
How do I reheat leftovers?
My favorite ways to reheat these nachos are back in the oven. The air fryer also works well with small batches. Both of these methods will help the chips crisp up nicely again. I don’t recommend microwaving nachos, as this will turn them soggy.
More Easy Appetizer Recipes
- Baked chicken wings
- Spinach artichoke dip
- Rotel cheese dip
- BBQ grape jelly meatballs
- 7 layer dip
- Roast beef sliders
Crispy Oven Nachos
Ingredients
For the Beef Mixture
- 1 pound ground beef 80/20
- 1 Tablespoon taco seasoning
For the Nachos
- 11 ounces restaurant-style tortilla chips
- ½ cup store-bought salsa
- 1 cup black beans drained and rinsed
- 1–2 jalapeños thinly sliced
- 2 cups Mexican cheese blend
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 1 avocado sliced
- cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat, breaking it apart as it browns.
- Drain any excess grease. Add in the taco seasoning, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 2–3 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat and set it aside.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a large sheet pan with foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Spread the tortilla chips evenly across the sheet pan. Spoon the seasoned beef, black beans, and cheese over the chips.
- Bake the nachos for 8–10 minutes, until the cheese melts and chips are crisp and everything is heated through.
- Remove the nachos from the oven and top them with salsa, sour cream, jalapeños, and avocado slices. Garnish with cilantro.
Notes
- Lining the sheet pan with aluminum foil makes clean up super easy.
- Always preheat the oven to help with even cooking and ensure the cheese melts evenly.
- Avoid overbaking. Baking nachos for too long will cause the cheese to burn or the chips to dry out.
- Toppings make it personal. There are so many delicious toppings to choose from, and sometimes we mix and match for something different each time. For game day, I’ll set up a nacho bar with all the toppings laid out.
- Be sure to serve these nachos immediately as they taste best hot and fresh out of the oven.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheat leftovers in the oven or in the air fryer for just a few minutes.
Nutrition
This nutrition information is based on the exact products I used in this recipe. Brands and sizes of products could alter exact nutrition and should always be calculated independently.
