Nachos Deluxe Recipe
Corn tortilla chips topped with ground beef, colby cheese, fresh tomatoes, onions, and lettuce. Served with salsa.
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Ingredients
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Beef topping
Chips & cheese
Fresh toppings
Condiments & garnish
Method
Beef topping
Prepare and brown beef
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tsp vegetable oil. When shimmering, add the diced onion and cook 2–3 minutes until translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant. Add 1 lb ground beef, breaking it up with a spatula. Cook 5–7 minutes until no longer pink and edges begin to brown.
Season and simmer
Stir in 1 tbsp tomato paste, 1 tbsp chili powder, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp paprika, 1/4 cup broth, 3/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 4–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is saucy and slightly thickened. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Keep warm off the heat.
Chips & cheese
Arrange chips
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread 8 oz (about one standard bag) of corn tortilla chips in an even layer on a large rimmed baking sheet or an oven-safe platter. Avoid too much overlap so cheese and beef can reach most chips.
Top with beef and cheese
Evenly distribute the warm seasoned ground beef over the chips. Sprinkle 2 cups shredded Colby cheese across the beef and chips, ensuring good coverage. If you like extra melty cheese, add a light second layer of cheese.
Melt cheese
Bake in the preheated oven for 6–8 minutes or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbling. For a slightly browned top, switch to broil for 30–60 seconds while watching closely to avoid burning.
Fresh toppings
Prepare toppings
While cheese melts, dice 1 cup tomatoes, finely dice 1/2 cup onion, and shred 1 cup lettuce. If using cilantro or jalapeño, chop them now. Drain any excess liquid from the diced tomatoes to prevent soggy chips.
Assemble fresh layers
Remove the nachos from the oven. Immediately sprinkle the diced tomatoes and diced onion evenly over the hot cheese. Scatter shredded lettuce on top so it stays crisp. Add jalapeño slices and chopped cilantro if desired.
Condiments & serving
Serve with salsa
Serve the nachos hot with 1 cup salsa on the side, allowing guests to spoon salsa over individual portions to taste. Offer lime wedges to squeeze over the top for brightness.
If desired, provide additional condiments such as sour cream, guacamole, or hot sauce alongside. Serve immediately so chips remain crisp.