Easy Ultimate Loaded Ground Beef Nachos Recipe

Prepare to elevate your game day experience with my Easy Ultimate Loaded Ground Beef Nachos Recipe!

This sheet pan masterpiece is designed for you if you are looking for a quick and easy beef nacho recipe but do not want to spend hours in the kitchen.

A sheet pan full of loaded beef nachos with toppings.

Picture this: a mountain of crispy corn tortilla chips, generously covered in a melty blanket of two types of gooey cheese and crowned with a seasoned ground beef mixture that’s so mouthwateringly savory, it’ll make you the MVP of any game day gathering.

Whether hosting a sports night, a Cinco de Mayo gathering, or looking for a quick, easy weeknight dinner, you will love these simple beef nachos. As a delicious alternative, check out my Cast-Iron Layered Macho Nachos.

Pile on your favorite toppings, and these homemade nachos will quickly become a family favorite, perfect for busy weeknights or any occasion.

Reasons you will love this recipe:

This sheet pan recipe is a one-pan wonder. With minimal effort, you can create a scrumptious batch of beef nachos that your whole family will love.
Whether you’re a fan of zesty jalapeños, tangy salsa, creamy guacamole, or any other nacho toppings, this recipe is a blank canvas and makes the best homemade nachos.
Nachos are guaranteed crowd-pleasers, making them the ultimate comfort food.

Ingredient notes and substitutions:

Ingredients for beef nachos including ground beef, cheese and tortilla chips.

Ground beef – adds flavor, desirable texture, and versatility to beef nachos, making it a key ingredient. I recommend a 70/30 ratio of lean ground beef to fat for this recipe. You can also substitute ground chuck, which typically runs 80/20. Ground chicken or ground turkey may also be substituted, but it will change the taste and texture.
Red Onions – add a fresh, crunchy, and mildly pungent element that complements the other flavors and textures. If you have picky eaters, feel free to leave the onions out.
Taco seasoning – either purchased taco seasoning mix or homemade taco seasoning works and gives the beef nachos a well-balanced, savory, and slightly spicy taste. It’s a key component in creating the signature nacho flavor.
Tortilla chips – serve as the foundation of classic nachos. They provide a sturdy and crunchy base that holds all the toppings together. The type of tortilla chips you use is personal preference. Yellow, white, and blue corn chips are the most commonly used.
Nacho cheese sauce – is an essential creamy, cheesy element that ties all the toppings together. Tostitos is a popular brand, and you can usually find it next to the chips in the grocery store.
Mexican cheese blend – adds an authentic touch to the nachos and is a key component in creating the quintessential nacho experience. You can substitute your favorite easy-melting cheeses such as cheddar, Monterey Jack, pepper jack, Colby, Queso quesadilla, or Oaxaca.

Complete measurements can be found in the recipe card below.

How to make Beef Nachos:

Preheat oven to 400°F.
Cook the ground beef and onions in a large skillet over medium heat for five to six minutes or until it is no longer pink. Break up large pieces with a meat chopper or potato masher. Drain any fat.

Add the taco seasoning and water to the beef, stir well to combine, then turn the heat down to low and allow it to simmer for 10 minutes.
Line a large-rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and arrange half of the tortilla chips in a single layer of chips.

A rimmed baking sheet covered with a layer of tortilla chips.

Spoon half of the beef mixture over the top of the chips.

A sheet pan with a layer of tortilla chips topped with beef mixture.

Sprinkle with half of the Mexican cheese, then half of the nacho cheese sauce.

A sheet pan with tortilla chips, cooked ground beef, and cheese.

Repeat with another layer and the remaining ingredients.

A sheet pan with two layers of tortilla chips, cooked ground beef and cheese.

Bake the beef nachos in the oven for about 10 minutes.

Baked beef nachos topped with melted cheese.

Remove and top with your favorite nacho toppings. Serve immediately.

Ultimate loaded ground beef nachos topped with sour cream.

Serving suggestions:

At our house, we love loaded nachos and generally consider them a meal all by itself; however, if we have company or want to add sides, these pair beautifully: Salsa Verde Chicken Chili, Mexican Pork Stew, Hot Corn Dip, Cheese Quesadillas, Baked Chicken Tacos, or my Mexican Chopped Salad.

My Ultimate Frozen Margaritas or Frozen Cranberry Margaritas would be a great addition. My Orange Sherbet Ice Cream or Strawberry Sherbet will make an excellent finale if you want something sweet.

Recipe variations:

One of the best things about this and my Cast Iron Skillet Pizza recipe is that both are a blank canvas for your favorite toppings. Here are our favorite nacho toppings: sliced jalapenos, salsa or pico de gallo, sour cream or crema, and fresh guacamole.

Other topping ideas include cilantro, black beans or refried beans, sliced olives, black olives, green onions, bacon, cotija cheese, bell peppers, avocado slices, and a squeeze of lime juice.

How to store leftovers and reheat nachos:

Beef nachos are at their best when freshly made, with crispy chips and gooey melted cheese. Refrigerating and reheating can alter the texture, resulting in soggy nachos.

Also, fresh toppings can wilt or lose their crispness when reheated, so it’s best to try and remove any toppings and store them separately in the fridge in an airtight container.

To reheat, place the leftover nachos on a baking sheet in a preheated 350°F oven, and reheat for about 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the nachos are heated through. Add the leftover toppings, if desired.

I don’t recommend freezing leftover nachos or reheating in a microwave for the best results.

Recipe FAQs:

What’s the secret to good homemade nachos?

When assembling your nachos, layer the ingredients evenly to ensure each chip gets a fair share of toppings and cheese.

Do you put meat or cheese first on nachos?

Meat goes first, then the cheese, so that the cheese can melt over everything.

Can you make this recipe without a sheet pan?

Of course, I often use a 12-inch cast-iron skillet with great results and you can also use a metal or glass baking pan.

What can cause soggy nachos?

Unfortunately, too much or too many toppings can result in soggy nachos.

Expert tips and tricks:

Even though this is a simple recipe, gather all your ingredients and equipment before you start cooking. This will make the process smoother and prevent any last-minute scrambling.

Spread the shredded cheese evenly over both layers of chips. This ensures that the cheese melts uniformly and covers all the ingredients.

Use a large enough sheet pan to avoid overcrowding the nachos. Overcrowding can result in chips without any cheese or beef toppings.

This recipe is just a guide; don’t hesitate to customize your nachos to your liking. Adjust the toppings, spiciness level, and cheese variety to match your preferences.