Print

Best Loaded Nacho Bar Recipe with Ground Beef Queso

loaded nacho bar recipe with ground beef queso - featured image
Print Recipe

This Ultimate Loaded Nacho Bar with Ground Beef and Queso is a fully customizable, crowd-pleasing monster of a meal. It features seasoned ground beef, creamy real-deal queso, and fresh crunchy toppings, all ready in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 packet (1 oz) taco seasoning
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1/2 cup evaporated milk
  • 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
  • 4 oz Monterey Jack cheese, freshly shredded
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 large bag (13–16 oz) restaurant-style tortilla chips
  • 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2 Roma tomatoes, diced
  • 1/2 cup pickled jalapeños, drained
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 cup guacamole
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1 lime, cut into wedges
  • Optional: sliced black olives, diced red onion, hot sauce

Instructions

  1. Prep Your Toppings (5 minutes): Dice your tomatoes, chop your cilantro, slice your lime, and drain your beans and jalapeños. Put each topping into its own small bowl.
  2. Cook the Ground Beef (10 minutes): Heat the olive oil in your large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until it starts to soften. Add the ground beef and break it up with your spatula. Cook for 5-7 minutes, until it’s nicely browned. Drain off any excess fat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in the taco seasoning and the 1/2 cup of water. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes until the liquid thickens slightly. Set it aside and k…
  3. Make the Queso (10 minutes): In your medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Slowly pour in the whole milk and evaporated milk, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Continue whisking until the mixture thickens, about 2-3 minutes. Reduce the heat to low. Add the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese by the handful, whisking until completely melted and smooth after each addition. Stir in the cayenne, salt, and pepper. K…
  4. Assemble the Nacho Bar (5 minutes): Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread a generous layer of tortilla chips on your large baking sheet. Spoon the seasoned ground beef evenly over the chips. Drizzle about half of the queso over the top. Sprinkle the black beans and pickled jalapeños over everything.
  5. Bake (5-7 minutes): Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 5-7 minutes, just until the chips are warmed through and the edges of the queso start to bubble.
  6. Finish and Serve: Remove the baking sheet from the oven. Drizzle the remaining queso over the top. Scatter the diced tomatoes and fresh cilantro over everything. Add dollops of sour cream and guacamole. Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side.

Notes

Don’t over-bake the chips; 5-7 minutes is the sweet spot. Shred your own cheese for the smoothest queso. Use sturdy restaurant-style chips to hold up to the toppings. Layer chips, beef, and queso for even distribution. Keep queso warm on low heat or in a slow cooker.

Nutrition

Keywords: nachos, loaded nachos, ground beef nachos, queso, nacho bar, party food, game day food, easy dinner

Find it online: https://noshbelle.com/best-loaded-nacho-bar-recipe-with-ground-beef-queso/