Crispy tortilla chips cheese (Printable Version)

Tortilla chips topped with melted cheese, black beans, jalapeños, and fresh veggies for a tasty, easy snack.

# What You'll Need:

→ Base

01 - 7 oz tortilla chips (plain or lightly salted)

→ Cheese

02 - 7 oz shredded cheddar cheese
03 - 3.5 oz shredded Monterey Jack cheese

→ Beans

04 - 5.3 oz canned black beans, rinsed and drained

→ Toppings

05 - 2 fresh jalapeños, thinly sliced
06 - 3.5 oz cherry tomatoes, diced
07 - 1 small red onion, finely chopped
08 - 2 tablespoons fresh coriander, chopped
09 - 1 ripe avocado, diced (optional)
10 - 4 tablespoons sour cream (optional)
11 - 4 tablespoons salsa (optional)

→ Optional Meat

12 - 7 oz ground beef
13 - 1 teaspoon olive oil
14 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
15 - 1/2 teaspoon cumin
16 - Salt and pepper to taste

# Directions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Cook, breaking up meat, until browned and cooked through, about 5 to 6 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
02 - Set oven temperature to 400°F (200°C).
03 - Spread tortilla chips evenly on a large ovenproof platter or baking sheet.
04 - Distribute rinsed black beans over the chips, then sprinkle shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese evenly. Add the cooked ground beef if using.
05 - Scatter sliced jalapeños and half of the finely chopped red onion on top.
06 - Place platter in the oven and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbling.
07 - Remove from oven and garnish with diced cherry tomatoes, remaining red onion, diced avocado if desired, and chopped fresh coriander.
08 - Serve immediately with sour cream and salsa on the side.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The secret is arranging chips in single layers so every single piece gets cheese coverage, not just the lucky ones on top
  • Baking transforms ordinary tortilla chips into something extraordinary while keeping them crunchy underneath all that melty goodness
02 -
  • Cold cheese on hot nachos firms up fast, so have all fresh toppings ready before the baking timer goes off
  • Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting, grating your own makes a noticeable difference
03 -
  • The moment cheese starts bubbling and turning golden brown, pull them out, overcooked cheese separates and becomes greasy
  • If your chips start getting soggy in the oven, broil for the last minute instead of continuing to bake, this crisps them back up quickly
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