Easy Beef Nachos with Cheese Sauce
These easy beef nachos layer crisp tortilla chips with well seasoned ground beef and a smooth homemade cheese sauce that beats anything from a jar.
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 1390kcal
Cost: $
Equipment
- 1 Frying pan For browning and seasoning the ground beef.
- 1 Small pot For cooking the cheese sauce low and slow.
- 1 Whisk Helps keep the cheese sauce smooth and lump free.
Ingredients
- 1 lbs ground beef
- 18 ounces tortilla chips
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- salt and ground black pepper to taste
- 1 tomato chopped
- 1 Serrano pepper or jalapeno sliced
- 3 tablespoons cooking oil
Cheese sauce ingredients
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 2 cups fresh milk
- 8 ounces quick melt cheese
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a pan. Add the ground beef and cook, stirring, until it turns brown.3 tablespoons cooking oil, 1 lbs ground beef
- Add the chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and ground black pepper. Stir until the beef is evenly seasoned, then continue cooking for 2 minutes. Set aside.2 teaspoons chili powder, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, salt and ground black pepper
- Make the cheese sauce. Melt the butter in a small pot, add the flour, and stir continuously for 3 minutes.3 tablespoons butter, 3 tablespoons all purpose flour
- Slowly pour in 1 1/2 cups of milk while stirring. Keep stirring until the mixture becomes smooth.2 cups fresh milk
- Add the cheese. Continue cooking and stirring until the cheese melts and the sauce turns smooth. Note: you can add the remaining 1/2 cup of milk if the sauce needs thinning down.8 ounces quick melt cheese
- Arrange the tortilla chips on a serving plate. Top with the seasoned beef, then pour the warm cheese sauce over everything.18 ounces tortilla chips
- Add the chopped tomato and sliced Serrano pepper or jalapeno on top. Serve right away. Share and enjoy!1 tomato, 1 Serrano pepper or jalapeno
Video
Notes
Rescue a thick sauce - If the cheese sauce stiffens as it cools, whisk in a splash of warm milk over low heat to bring it back to a pourable consistency.
Layer for crunch - Instead of one tall pile, build two or three thinner layers of chips, beef, and cheese so every chip gets coverage and the bottom ones stay crisp.
Use block cheese - A block of quick melt cheese grated at home gives the smoothest sauce. Pre shredded cheese has an anti caking coating that can turn the sauce grainy.
Make ahead - Brown and season the beef up to 2 days in advance, then refrigerate. Reheat in a pan right before assembling.
Serve fresh - Nachos are best eaten right away. If guests are running late, hold the chips, beef, and cheese sauce separately and assemble at the last minute.
Nutrition
Calories: 1390kcal | Carbohydrates: 91g | Protein: 43g | Fat: 93g | Saturated Fat: 35g | Cholesterol: 150mg | Sodium: 950mg | Potassium: 620mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 600IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 400mg | Iron: 6mg