My epic nachos supreme recipe is an easy appetizer to share with friends. Crispy tortilla chips are topped with juicy ground beef, refried beans, creamy cheese sauce, and all your favorite nacho toppings.
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This recipe is my copycat version of a Taco Bell classic...except they're better because they're homemade and fresh from the oven.
Pair these nachos with garlic butter chicken wings, Cajun deviled eggs, and cashew chocolate chip cookies for a crowd-pleasing Super Bowl party spread.
📖Why My Recipe Works
- Uses queso instead of shredded cheese. Rather than layering our nachos with shredded cheese and waiting for it to melt, we're melting cheese into a homemade nacho cheese sauce, and then adding that onto the loaded nachos. The texture is unmatched!
- Customizable. As with all nacho recipes, you are totally free to play around with whatever toppings you like best.
- Great for a crowd. This recipe makes a ton, so it's perfect for a filling dinner or for serving a crowd at a get-together.
🧾Ingredient Notes
- Ground Beef - I recommend using lean ground beef works and to drain the grease after cooking.Use vegan beef crumbles or additional refried beans to make this vegetarian.
- White Onion - I prefer the flavor of white onion, but feel free to use yellow onion or red onions instead.
- Homemade Taco Seasoning - We're making a simple homemade seasoning with a blend of chili powder, salt, ground cumin, onion powder, and garlic powder. But you can substitute a taco seasoning packet.
- Refried Beans - Refried black beans or refried pinto beans will work. Just use whichever you like best.
- Toppings- Roma tomatoes (because they have a lower water content), sour cream, and green onions.
- Cheddar Cheese - I use shredded cheddar, but you could also use Monterey jack, a mix of the two, or your melty cheese of choice. Pepper jack cheese also works. Use a full-fat cheese for the queso sauce. Low-fat cheese will not work in this recipe.
- Cornstarch - A little bit of cornstarch is exactly what the nacho cheese needs to get perfectly thick and creamy. That is how we keep our cheese sauce flourless!
⏲️How to Make Nachos Supreme
These loaded nachos are so quick to come together. The first real step is to preheat the oven to 400ºF. While it's preheating, you can prep the rest of the recipe!
Cook the Beef
Browning the ground beef with onion adds extra flavor. Drain off any excess fat so your chips don't get soggy. The key to maximum flavor is to add the seasonings after you drain the grease. Simmer long enough to ensure all the water is evaporated.
Make the Nacho Cheese Sauce
Shred your cheese by hand to prevent graininess. Adding the cornstarch to the cheese first ensures it is evenly spread out and doesn't clump.
Remove the pan from direct heat and slowly add the cheese mixture one handful at a time. Stir constantly until the cheese is melted.
If the cheese isn't melting you can return the pan to low heat and stir constantly until the cheese is melted.
Assemble and Bake
Heat the refried beans until just warmed through. This helps them spread more easily.
Line two baking sheets with foil or parchment paper then spread tortilla chips in a generous layer on each baking sheet. Top the chips off with a layer of beans, beef, and nacho cheese, then bake for 5-10 minutes or until everything is heated through.
Top with the garnishes and dig in!
👩🏻🍳 Expert Tips
- Choose the right tortilla chip. Thick and sturdy chips are going to hold up much better under all the toppings than anything thin. Make sure you use good ones for the best nachos.
- Shred your own cheese. Pre-shredded cheeses contain an anti-caking agent that can cause a gritty texture when melted. I recommend shredding your own cheese for the smoothest, creamiest cheesy texture.
- Assembled nachos are definitely best served right away for better quality. The longer they sit with all the toppings, the softer and soggier the chips will become.
🌡️Storage and Make Ahead
Assembled nachos are definitely best served right away for better quality. The longer they sit with all the toppings, the softer and soggier the chips will become.
However, there are a couple of ways you can prep this recipe in advance for easy assembly later on!
- Cook the beef: You can prepare the beef mixture, let it cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
- Make the nacho cheese: The nacho cheese can be prepared, then stored in the fridge for 3-4 days. Slowly reheat on the stove over low heat while stirring constantly.
Did you enjoy making this recipe? Show it some love with ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ and leave a comment! Hungry for more FLAVORFUL recipes?
📖 Recipe Card
Beef Nachos Supreme
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- ½ cup white onion chopped
- 1 Tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 bags tortilla chips
- 1 cup canned refried beans
- ¾ cup tomatoes diced
- ¾ cup sour cream
- ½ green onions thinly sliced
Nacho Cheese Sauce/ Queso
- 3 cups cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 ½ teaspoons cornstarch
- 12 ounces evaporated milk one can
- 2 teaspoons hot sauce
- ¼ teaspoon chili powder
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F degrees.
- In a large skillet brown the ground beef and onion until the beef is cooked through, about 6 minutes. Drain off excess oil Stir in the salt, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. Add a ¼ cup of water. Simmer for 5 minutes or until water has evaporated.1 pound ground beef, ½ cup white onion, 1 Tablespoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon cumin, ¾ teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- While the beef is cooking heat the refried beans in the microwave for 2 minutes, stirring halfway through.1 cup canned refried beans
- Line two baking sheets with foil. Spread the tortilla chips out on the foil. Top with the beans, beef, and queso. Bake for 5 to 10 minutes.2 bags tortilla chips
- Garnish with tomatoes, green onions, and sour cream.¾ cup tomatoes, ¾ cup sour cream, ½ green onions
Cheese Sauce
- In a saucepan, heat evaporated milk over medium heat until it comes to a simmer. While the milk is warming combine cheese and cornstarch. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the cheese 1 cup at a time until all the cheese has been incorporated and it has completely melted into the sauce. Stir in the hot sauce, chili powder, and salt.3 cups cheddar cheese, 1 ½ teaspoons cornstarch, 12 ounces evaporated milk, 2 teaspoons hot sauce, ¼ teaspoon chili powder, ⅛ teaspoon salt
Notes
- Half of a taco seasoning packet can be substituted for the seasonings on the beef.
Make Ahead Tips
- Cook the beef: You can prepare the beef mixture, let it cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
- Make the nacho cheese: The nacho cheese can be prepared, then stored in the fridge for 3-4 days. Slowly reheat on the stove over low heat while stirring constantly.
Equipment
- Aluminum foil or parchment paper
Nutrition
More Nachos Recipes
💬Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best toppings to put on nachos?
My favorite toppings for beef nachos are diced tomatoes, sour cream, and green onions. Here are just a few other topping ideas; black olives, jalapeños, diced green chiles, shredded lettuce, canned tomato salsa, Avocado crema, or bacon crumbles.
Do you put meat or cheese first on nachos?
Typically beans and meat go under the cheese. Then the cheese goes on top.
REbecca says
is there nutritional information for this recipe
Jen Wooster says
On the recipe card