Smoky BBQ Beef Nachos (Printable Version)

Crispy chips loaded with smoky barbecue beef, melted cheese, jalapeños, and fresh toppings for ultimate snacking.

# What You'll Need:

→ Beef

01 - 1 pound ground beef
02 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 cup barbecue sauce
05 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
06 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Nachos

07 - 10 ounces sturdy tortilla chips
08 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
09 - 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

→ Toppings

10 - 1/2 cup sour cream
11 - 1/3 cup sliced pickled jalapeños
12 - 1/2 cup diced red onion
13 - 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
14 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
15 - 1 avocado, diced (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef and onion until beef is browned and onion is softened, approximately 6 to 8 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
03 - Add minced garlic, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Cook for 1 additional minute. Stir in barbecue sauce and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes until slightly thickened.
04 - Spread tortilla chips evenly on a large baking sheet or ovenproof platter.
05 - Spoon barbecue beef mixture evenly over chips. Sprinkle cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses uniformly across the surface.
06 - Bake in preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
07 - Remove from oven and top with sour cream, pickled jalapeños, diced red onion, tomatoes, cilantro, and diced avocado if desired.
08 - Serve immediately while cheese is still warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The barbecue sauce gives the beef a tangy sweetness that cuts through all that cheese in the best way.
  • It comes together faster than ordering takeout and tastes like you planned it all week.
  • Every single chip gets its share of toppings if you layer smartly.
  • Cleanup is shockingly easy for something this indulgent.
02 -
  • If you skip draining the beef fat, the chips on the bottom will turn into a greasy mess instead of staying crispy.
  • Don't bake them too long or the cheese will break and get oily, pull them the second everything melts.
  • Layer in two levels if you're feeding a crowd, it's the only way every chip gets love.
03 -
  • Use two kinds of cheese for better melt and flavor, one sharp and one creamy is the magic combination.
  • Spread chips in a single layer if you can, it's the only way to avoid the dreaded naked chip at the bottom.
  • Warm your barbecue beef just before assembly so the cheese melts faster and more evenly in the oven.
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