Name: Loaded Nachos
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 1 large bag tortilla chips (13 ounces); 1 pound ground beef; 1 packet taco seasoning; 1/4 cup beef broth; 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed; 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded; 1 cup Colby Jack cheese, shredded; 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved; 1/2 cup onion, diced; 1 fresh jalapeño, thinly sliced; 1/4 cup sliced black olives; 1/2 cup sour cream; 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Jump to Recipe

Loaded Nachos are like a fiesta for your taste buds! Crispy tortilla chips are dripping with gooey cheddar cheese, juicy ground beef, black beans, sour cream, olives and jalapeños. Every chip tastes like you've won the snack lottery!

Best Loaded Nachos Recipe!

Endless Variations: An epic cheese-pull, spicy jalapeños and juicy ground beef are just a few of the endless toppings you can add.
Make it a Meal: You can also serve this recipe as a meal for lunch or dinner.
Game Day Star: Perfect for parties, movie night and game day food, nachos are the ultimate crowd-pleaser!

These nachos aren’t just loaded - they’re over-the-top, make-you-wanna-smack-your-lips-together-loaded. So grab a plate and dive in before someone beats you to it!

Need help with party planning? You can make the toppings ahead of time and store them in the fridge which makes party planning a cinch. Cheesy nachos are perfect for Game Day, or Movie Night with the kids!

Looking for more fun snacks? Try my Walking Taco Casserole, or a bite of Loaded French Fries with bacon. You'll also love this Cream Cheese Corn Dip that can be served hot or cold, depending on your snacking needs.

Ingredient Notes

Loaded Nachos

tortilla chips - choose thick chips, preferably made from tortillas instead of corn meal
ground beef - use a 85/15 blend for the juiciest meat, or substitute shredded beef or pork carnitas if desired
taco seasoning - use a packet or make your own
beef broth - adds great flavor to the meat
black beans - can substitute pintos or refried beans instead
cheddar cheese - hand shredding the cheese makes it melt better
Colby Jack cheese - you can use pepper jack or Monterrey jack if preferred

Optional Toppings

grape tomatoes - sliced in half or diced
diced onion - can substitute green onions or chives
fresh jalapeño - thinly sliced, or use pickled jalapeños instead
black olives - sliced or diced works great
sour cream - can sub the light version or use ranch dressing
fresh cilantro - for non-cilantro lovers, you can omit this herb, but it adds great flavor

Other topping ideas include diced avocado, pickled onions, guacamole, charred corn, radishes and pico de gallo. Use what you have on hand, or splurge on your favorites.

Instructions

1 - Brown ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat. Drain excess fat.

2 - Add taco seasoning and ¼ cup beef broth to the beef. Cook until the liquid is absorbed.

3 - Arrange tortilla chips in a single layer on a large baking sheet.

4 - Spoon the seasoned ground beef over the chips.

5 - Sprinkle black beans over the beef.

6 - Cover with both types of shredded cheese.

7 - Bake in a 375ºF oven for 10-15 minutes, or until cheese is fully melted and bubbly.

8 - Remove nachos from oven and immediately top with fresh toppings.

Tortilla chips loaded with jalapenos and toppings.

Top 3 Tips

Use Thick Chips: Look for thick and hearty chips that won't break under the weight of heavy toppings. Authentic chips, or those made from tortillas instead of corn meal are the best choice.
Bake, Don’t Microwave: For the perfect crispy chips and melted toppings, bake nachos in the oven.
Use Fresh Toppings: Add sour cream and fresh cilantro after baking to keep things fresh and vibrant.

Loaded nachos pulled with fingers on sheet pan.

Customize It!

There are tons of fun variations for loaded nachos. Here are a few ideas to try...

BBQ Chicken: Swap out traditional toppings for shredded BBQ chicken, red onions, cilantro, and a drizzle of gold barbecue sauce.
Breakfast or Brunch: Top your chips with scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, hash browns, and cheddar cheese.
Meatless: Load up on pinto beans, corn, bell peppers, mushrooms, avocado and onions.
Pork Carnitas: Top with pork carnitas, black beans and cheese. Finish with a drizzle of salsa verde and sour cream.
Nacho Bar: Similar to a DIY taco bar, set out bowls of chips and toppings and let guests create their own special party food!

Loaded nachos on a plate with cheese and toppings.

What to Serve With Loaded Nachos

Loaded nachos are great on their own, but here are some tasty sides that make fun combos...

Skillet Mexican Street Corn: Charred corn is cut off the cob and slathered with mayo, cheese, and seasonings to make this mouthwatering Mexican Street Corn in a skillet!
Fresh Salsa or Guacamole: A zesty salsa adds a burst of flavor, while guacamole is a classic match.
Fruit Platter: Serve a platter of fruit for a colorful side that everyone loves!
Queso Dip: For those who just can’t get enough cheese, a bowl of smoked cheese dip is a perfect dipper for chips and a cheesy complement to the loaded nachos.

Storing Leftovers

Loaded Nachos are best enjoyed fresh, but you can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For best results, follow these tips...

Separate Ingredients: Keep chips separated from the toppings. Store the chips in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them crispy, and place the toppings in a separate airtight container in the fridge.
Reheat: When you’re ready to enjoy leftovers, reheat the toppings in the oven until warmed through. For chips, you can crisp them up again in the oven for a few minutes to bring back their crunch.
Avoid Freezing: Nachos don’t freeze well because the chips can become soggy and the cheese can change texture. It’s best to enjoy leftovers within a few days.