Description

A stress-free, interactive loaded nacho bar perfect for tailgating and feeding a crowd. This recipe features thick tortilla chips, seasoned ground beef, black beans, and a blend of melted cheeses, topped with fresh vegetables and crema.

Ingredients

Scale

2 large bags (about 1.5 lbs) thick-cut restaurant-style tortilla chips
16 oz block white cheddar cheese, shredded
16 oz bag shredded Mexican blend cheese
1 lb ground beef (80/20)
1 packet taco seasoning (or homemade mix of chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper)
2 cans black beans, drained and rinsed
1 lb chicken breast, grilled and shredded (optional)
1 jar sliced pickled jalapeños
1 cup sliced black olives
2 medium Roma tomatoes, diced
1 bunch green onions, sliced
3 ripe avocados, cubed
1 cup sour cream
1 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped
Hot sauce (e.g., Tabasco or Cholula)
Lime juice
Cumin

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Drain excess grease, stir in taco seasoning and a splash of water, and simmer for 2 minutes to thicken. Keep warm.
If using chicken, season with salt, pepper, and cumin, grill or bake until cooked through, shred, and toss with hot sauce.
Prepare toppings: dice tomatoes, slice jalapeños and olives, chop green onions, cube avocados (toss with lime juice), and shred cheese.
Place tortilla chips in a single layer on large baking sheets.
Sprinkle cheese blend over chips, then evenly distribute ground beef, black beans, jalapeños, and olives.
Bake for 5-7 minutes until cheese is bubbling and golden.
Remove from oven and immediately top with diced tomatoes, green onions, and fresh cilantro.
Add avocado cubes and serve with sour cream crema and hot sauce on the side.

Notes

Use thick, sturdy chips to prevent sogginess. Shred cheese from a block for better melting. Add wet toppings like tomatoes and sour cream only after baking to keep chips crisp. Can be made ahead by prepping toppings the night before.

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Appetizer
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/8 of one baking sh
Calories: 380
Sodium: 650
Fat: 22
Carbohydrates: 35
Fiber: 3
Protein: 12

Keywords: tailgate snacks, game day food, loaded nachos, crowd pleaser, easy appetizer, football party, nacho bar, cheesy nachos