Cheesy Nacho Casserole (Printable)
Baked layers of seasoned beef, tortilla chips and melted cheddar, finished with sour cream, cilantro and jalapeños for a game-night crowd pleaser.
# What You Need:
→ Meats
01 - 1 pound ground beef
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
05 - 1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
06 - 1 cup frozen corn (optional)
→ Spices & Seasonings
07 - 1 packet (1 ounce) taco seasoning
08 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
→ Dairy
09 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
10 - 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
11 - 1/2 cup sour cream (optional, for topping)
→ Chips
12 - 5 cups tortilla chips, lightly crushed
→ Toppings
13 - 1/2 cup sliced black olives (optional)
14 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced
15 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
16 - Fresh jalapeños, sliced (optional)
# Steps:
01 - Preheat the oven to 375°F.
02 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and chopped onion; cook, stirring and breaking up the beef, until browned and onion is softened, about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain off any excess fat.
03 - Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute. Stir in taco seasoning, black beans, diced tomatoes with green chilies, and frozen corn if using. Simmer for 3 to 4 minutes to blend flavors. Season to taste with salt and black pepper.
04 - In a 9x13-inch baking dish, spread half of the crushed tortilla chips evenly. Layer with half the beef mixture and sprinkle with half of each cheese. Repeat with remaining chips, beef mixture, and cheese.
05 - Bake uncovered for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbling, and golden.
06 - Remove from the oven and let stand for 5 minutes. Garnish with sour cream, black olives, green onions, cilantro, and jalapeños as desired. Serve while hot.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- There’s a hidden thrill in sneaking the crunchy topping right before serving (and nobody ever guesses how easy it is to layer together).
- Leftovers never last long: my family has been known to fight over the last cheesy scoop straight from the baking dish.
02 -
- I once piled on salsa before baking and ended up with a soggy mess—save all fresh toppings for after.
- Crushing the tortilla chips by hand instead of blitzing keeps just enough big chunks for crunch in every bite.
03 -
- Layer a little extra cheese right at the edges for golden, crispy corners that's everyone's favorite.
- For a spicier kick, stir chopped pickled jalapeños into the beef mixture before baking—trust me, it wakes things up deliciously.