Easy Classic Nachos Recipe, Texas Sweet Heat as the final topping
This recipe is a simple but classic way to make nachos, something you'll find in restaurants all across America.
Use it as a base recipe, a springboard to allow your creativity to roam. Endless possibilities await you!
Ingredients
· 1 teaspoon olive oil
· 1 pound ground beef
· 3 tablespoons taco seasoning
· Salt and pepper to taste
· 15 ounces refried beans 1 can
· ½ cup water
· 13 ounces thick tortilla chips 1 typical bag
· 3-4 cups shredded cheese I love a mix of Colby Jack and Cheddar – use your favorite melty cheeses
· ½ cup pickled jalapenos
· Texas Sweet Salsa
FOR SERVING/TOPPING
· Diced tomatoes, extra pickled jalapenos, fresh chopped cilantro, hot sauce, red pepper flakes. See the RECIPE NOTES for more ideas.
Instructions
1. Heat the olive oil in a pan to medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook for 5 minutes until nicely browned and mostly cooked through, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Drain excess fat and liquid.
2. Add the taco seasonings, salt and pepper to taste, and stir. Cook 2-3 minutes to let the spices bloom.
3. Stir in the refried beans and water. Mix to incorporate, then reduce the heat. Simmer for 10 minutes to develop flavor. You can simmer longer if you’d like to develop flavor further.
4. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
5. Layer the tortilla chips onto a large baking sheet.
6. Spread the cooked meat and beans mixture evenly over the tortilla chips.
· START LAYERING
· Tortilla Chips Layer. Layer the corn tortilla chips onto a large baking sheet. Sheet pans are great for making nachos.
· Get a nice even layer, with the chips overlapping to catch all the goodness about to come.
· Meat-Beans Layer. Spread the cooked beef and beans mixture evenly over the tortilla chips.
· Do this quickly to avoid getting soggy nachos.
· Cheese Layer. Top evenly with the shredded cheeses. Move quickly, but I like to make sure it slips down into any nooks and crannies to get extra cheesy nachos.
· Make sure you get the corners, too.
· Pickled Jalapenos Layer. Top with pickled jalapeno peppers. Add as few or as many as you’d like.
· I like lots and lots of pickled jalapenos, please!
· Bake the Nachos. Bake the tray for 10 minutes, or until the cheeses are nicely melted and gooey.
· Toppings. Remove from heat, top with your favorite toppings, and serve!
· Boom! Done! Your nachos are ready to serve. They're so easy to make, right? Now, the real question is -- what toppings are you going to use?
· Texas Sweet Heat as the final topping.
