Loaded Beef Nachos with Guacamole & Salsa

Ingredients

For the beef

• 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• ½ small onion, finely diced
• 1 jalapeño, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• ½ tsp paprika
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp water

For the nachos

• 6–7 oz (170–200 g) tortilla chips
• 1½ cups shredded cheddar or Mexican-blend cheese
• ½ cup salsa
• ½ cup guacamole
• ¼ cup sour cream
• ¼ cup diced red onion
• Optional: sliced jalapeños, cilantro, tomatoes, lime wedges

Instructions

1. Cook the beef: Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and jalapeño and cook for 2–3 minutes.
2. Add garlic and ground beef. Cook for 6–8 minutes, breaking the beef into small pieces, until fully browned.
3. Drain excess fat if needed. Stir in chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, pepper, and water. Simmer for 2 minutes.
4. Assemble: Spread tortilla chips on a baking sheet or oven-safe plate. Add half the cheese and half the seasoned beef.
5. Add another layer of chips, remaining beef, and remaining cheese.
6. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 5–8 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
7. Top with salsa, guacamole, sour cream, and diced red onion.
8. Garnish with jalapeños and cilantro and serve immediately with lime.

Quick Details

• Prep time: 15 minutes
• Cook time: 15 minutes
• Total time: 30 minutes
• Servings: 4
• Difficulty: Easy

 Estimated Nutrition Per Serving

Approximate; varies with chip, cheese, beef, and topping quantities.

• Calories: ~650 kcal
• Protein: ~31 g
• Carbohydrates: ~47 g
• Fat: ~39 g
• Saturated fat: ~13 g
• Fiber: ~7 g
• Sugar: ~5 g
• Sodium: ~1,100 mg

 Allergen / Nut Information

• Nuts: No nuts are normally included.
• Peanuts: None normally included.
• Milk: Yes — cheese and sour cream.
• Gluten: Tortilla chips may contain or have cross-contact with gluten; check the package if needed.
• Soy: May be present depending on the tortilla chips or cheese.
• Egg: Usually none, but check packaged tortilla chips.
• Sesame: Usually none, but check the tortilla-chip label for cross-contact.

 Q&A

Q: Can I use chicken instead of beef?
A: Yes. Ground chicken or shredded cooked chicken works well.

Q: Can I make these spicier?
A: Add extra jalapeños, hot salsa, cayenne, or your favorite hot sauce.

Q: Can I prepare them ahead?
A: Prepare the beef and toppings ahead, but assemble and bake the nachos just before serving so the chips stay crispy.

Q: Can I use store-bought guacamole and salsa?
A: Absolutely—this makes the recipe much faster.

Q: How do I keep nachos from getting soggy?
A: Use thick tortilla chips, drain excess liquid from the beef, and add salsa/guacamole after baking.

Q: What cheese melts best?
A: Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or a Mexican cheese blend are excellent choices.

• Author
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Sara Mitchell

Sara Mitchell is an expert restaurant content creator who writes easy-to-read guides about CAVA and other Mediterranean fast-casual chains in the United States. She covers locations, menus, prices, and hours, making it simple for visitors to find nearby restaurants and what to order quickly.

With years of experience in restaurant research and local SEO, Sara creates accurate, user-friendly guides that work for both people and search engines. Her goal is to help users go from search results to their nearest restaurant or menu choice with as few clicks as possible.

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