Print

Easy Ultimate Game Day Loaded Nacho Bar With Ground Beef

game day loaded nacho bar with ground beef - featured image
Print Recipe

This Ultimate Game Day Loaded Nacho Bar with Ground Beef is a crowd-pleasing meal that lets everyone build their own plate. With perfectly seasoned beef, melty cheese, and fresh toppings, it’s the perfect game day snack or casual dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp dried oregano
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • ¼ cup beef broth or water
  • 1 large bag (13–16 oz) restaurant-style tortilla chips
  • 2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese (or mix of Monterey Jack and sharp cheddar)
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (15 oz) refried beans (optional)
  • 1 cup pico de gallo or salsa fresca
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • ½ cup crema or Mexican crema
  • 1 large avocado, diced and tossed with lime juice
  • ½ cup pickled jalapeños
  • ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 2 green onions, sliced thin
  • 1 lime, cut into wedges
  • Hot sauce (such as Cholula or Valentina)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Position a rack in the middle.
  2. Cook the ground beef: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 3 minutes until it starts to soften. Add the minced garlic and cook 30 seconds more. Add the ground beef, breaking it up with a spatula. Cook for 6-8 minutes until browned and no longer pink. Spoon out excess grease, leaving about a tablespoon.
  3. Season the beef: Reduce heat to medium. Sprinkle chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper over the meat. Stir well. Pour in ¼ cup beef broth and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes until the liquid mostly evaporates. Taste and adjust salt if needed.
  4. Warm the beans: While the beef cooks, drain and rinse the black beans. Add them to a small saucepan over medium-low heat with a splash of water or broth. Stir occasionally until warm, about 3-4 minutes. If using refried beans, warm them separately.
  5. Assemble the nacho base: Line a half-sheet pan with aluminum foil. Spread the tortilla chips in an even layer. If using refried beans, dollop small spoonfuls over the chips. Otherwise, scatter the warm black beans evenly over the chips.
  6. Add the beef and cheese: Spoon the seasoned ground beef over the chips and beans. Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top.
  7. Bake: Place the sheet pan in the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
  8. Top and serve: Remove the pan from the oven. Immediately scatter pico de gallo, diced avocado, pickled jalapeños, and sliced green onions over the top. Drizzle with crema or sour cream. Finish with fresh cilantro and a few squeezes of lime juice. Serve hot, with extra hot sauce and lime wedges on the side.

Notes

For extra-crispy chips, bake the chips alone for 3-4 minutes before adding toppings. Shred your own cheese for best melting. Don’t overcrowd the chips; use a second pan if needed. The ground beef tastes even better the next day.

Nutrition

Keywords: nachos, game day, ground beef, loaded nachos, nacho bar, party food, easy dinner

Find it online: https://twirltaste.com/easy-ultimate-game-day-loaded-nacho-bar-with-ground-beef/