Tortilla chips layered with seasoned beef, creamy cheese sauce, jalapeños, and fresh toppings for festive occasions.
# What You'll Need:
→ Nachos Base
01 - 12 ounces sturdy tortilla chips
02 - 1 pound ground beef
03 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
04 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
05 - 0.5 teaspoon ground cumin
06 - 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
07 - 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
08 - 0.5 teaspoon onion powder
09 - 0.5 teaspoon salt
10 - 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
→ Cheese Sauce
11 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
12 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
13 - 1 cup whole milk
14 - 1.5 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
15 - 0.5 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
16 - 0.25 teaspoon cayenne pepper
17 - 0.25 teaspoon salt
→ Toppings
18 - 0.5 cup pickled jalapeño slices
19 - 0.5 cup diced tomatoes
20 - 0.33 cup sliced scallions
21 - 0.25 cup chopped fresh cilantro
22 - 0.5 cup sour cream
# How To Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon, approximately 5 to 6 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
03 - Stir in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 2 additional minutes. Transfer to a plate.
04 - Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute until bubbling but not browned.
05 - Gradually whisk milk into the roux until smooth. Bring to a simmer and cook until slightly thickened, approximately 2 to 3 minutes.
06 - Reduce heat to low and add cheddar, Monterey Jack, cayenne pepper, and salt. Whisk until cheese melts completely and sauce achieves a smooth consistency. Remove from heat.
07 - Spread tortilla chips evenly on a large oven-safe platter or baking sheet.
08 - Top chips with seasoned beef, then drizzle generously with cheese sauce.
09 - Scatter jalapeño slices, diced tomatoes, and scallions over the cheese sauce layer.
10 - Transfer to preheated oven and bake for 5 to 7 minutes, until all components are heated through and sauce is bubbly.
11 - Remove from oven. Garnish with chopped cilantro and dollops of sour cream. Serve immediately.
