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Ultimate Game Day Loaded Nacho Bar with Ground Beef

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A build-your-own nacho bar featuring seasoned ground beef, melted cheese, black beans, and fresh toppings, perfect for game day gatherings. This customizable recipe comes together in under 30 minutes and is always a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely diced (about ½ cup)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ cup tomato sauce (or 2 tablespoons tomato paste mixed with 2 tablespoons water)
  • ¼ cup beef broth
  • 1 large bag (about 13 ounces) restaurant-style tortilla chips
  • 2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese (or cheddar, Monterey Jack)
  • 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (4 ounces) diced green chiles (mild or hot)
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 cup fresh salsa or pico de gallo
  • 1 avocado, diced
  • ½ cup pickled jalapeños
  • ½ cup black olives, sliced
  • ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 2 green onions, sliced
  • 1 lime, cut into wedges

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add ground beef and break it up with a wooden spoon. Cook for 6-8 minutes until browned and no longer pink. Leave about 1 tablespoon of fat for flavor.
  2. Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in tomato sauce and beef broth, stir, and let simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened. Set aside.
  3. Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with foil or parchment. Spread tortilla chips in an even layer. Sprinkle drained black beans and diced green chiles evenly over chips.
  4. Spoon seasoned ground beef over chips, beans, and chiles, distributing evenly. Sprinkle shredded cheese over the top, covering the beef completely.
  5. Bake for 8-10 minutes until cheese is fully melted and bubbly. Watch to avoid burning chips.
  6. Remove from oven and let rest for 2 minutes. Scatter diced avocado, pickled jalapeños, black olives, and fresh cilantro over the top. Squeeze lime juice over everything.
  7. Transfer the loaded nacho sheet to the center of the table. Set out small bowls of sour cream, salsa, extra jalapeños, sliced green onions, and lime wedges. Let everyone build their own plate.

Notes

Use sturdy restaurant-style chips to prevent breakage. Layer chips, beans, beef, then cheese for best results. Let nachos rest 2 minutes after baking so cheese sets. Keep fresh toppings like avocado and cilantro separate until after baking. For make-ahead, cook beef and prep toppings the night before; assemble and bake just before serving.

Nutrition

Keywords: nachos, game day, ground beef, loaded nachos, party food, appetizer, Super Bowl

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