Loaded nachos with melted cheese, jalapeños, sour cream, and guacamole
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Loaded Nachos

Carlos Mendez

@carlosmendezcooks

4.8(1,526 reviews)🍳 1,189 made this

Prep

10 min

Cook

10 min

Total

20 min

Servings

6

Difficulty

Easy

Let's cook

  1. Cook the beef

    Brown the beef, drain the fat, and stir in the taco seasoning with a splash of water. Simmer 3 minutes until thick, not wet.

    💡

    Wet toppings make soggy nachos. Reduce the meat until it barely drips.

  2. Layer, do not pile

    Spread a third of the chips on a lined tray, then a third of the beef, beans, and cheese. Repeat twice more.

    💡

    Three thin layers, not one deep pile. This is the entire difference between good and bad nachos.

  3. Bake hot and fast

    Bake at 400°F (205°C) for 10 minutes until the cheese is fully melted and bubbling at the edges.

  4. Add cold toppings after

    Take the tray out before adding the salsa, sour cream, avocado, tomato, and cilantro. Baked sour cream splits and baked avocado turns grey.

  5. Serve immediately

    Finish with jalapeños and lime and bring the tray straight to the table.

🍳

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📝 Tips, swaps, and make-ahead notes

Grate your own cheese — pre-grated is coated in starch and melts poorly and greasily. Sturdy restaurant-style chips hold up far better than thin ones.

  • Vegetarian: Black beans and roasted sweet potato in place of the beef.
  • Make-ahead: Cook the beef up to 3 days ahead; assemble and bake to order.
  • Sheet pan: Use the largest tray you own so the layers stay shallow.

Nutrition & Safety

Calories

582kcal

Protein

24g

Carbs

48g

Fat

34g

⚠️ Allergen & Safety Note

This recipe contains dairy and gluten-free-adaptable. Nutritional values are estimates per serving and may vary based on the specific ingredients you use. If you have food allergies, please verify all ingredients before cooking.

AI-assisted content. Always verify instructions with trusted culinary sources.

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