Beef Nachos with Guacamole (Printable)
Crispy tortilla chips with spiced ground beef, melted cheese blend, and creamy fresh guacamole.
# What You Need:
→ For the Nachos
01 - 7 oz tortilla chips
02 - 9 oz ground beef
03 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
05 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
06 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
07 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
08 - 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
11 - 3.5 oz shredded cheddar cheese
12 - 3.5 oz shredded Monterey Jack cheese
13 - 1 medium tomato, diced
14 - 1 small red chili, thinly sliced, optional
15 - 2 spring onions, sliced
16 - Fresh cilantro leaves for garnish
→ For the Guacamole
17 - 2 ripe avocados
18 - 1 lime, juiced
19 - 1 small tomato, seeded and finely diced
20 - 1/4 small red onion, finely chopped
21 - 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped
22 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
23 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
# How-To:
01 - Preheat your oven to 400°F.
02 - In a skillet over medium heat, heat olive oil. Add chopped onion and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until translucent.
03 - Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned, about 5 to 6 minutes.
04 - Stir in cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Cook for an additional 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
05 - On a large baking tray, spread out the tortilla chips. Top evenly with the cooked beef mixture. Sprinkle both cheeses generously over the top.
06 - Bake in the oven for 8 to 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
07 - While the nachos bake, prepare the guacamole: In a bowl, mash avocados with lime juice. Stir in diced tomato, red onion, cilantro, salt, and black pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste.
08 - Remove nachos from the oven. Top with diced tomato, red chili if using, and spring onions. Garnish with fresh cilantro.
09 - Serve immediately with the guacamole on the side or dolloped on top.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The combination of crispy tortilla edges and gooey cheese-smothered center creates that perfect textural contrast I chase in every bite.
- These nachos strike the ideal balance between quick preparation and impressive presentation, making you look like a culinary genius with minimal effort.
02 -
- Arranging your chips in a single layer with just slight overlapping prevents those sad, soggy chips hidden underneath that no one wants.
- Adding the lime juice to your avocados immediately keeps them from turning that unappetizing brown color, even if your guests are fashionably late.
03 -
- Warm your serving platter in the oven for a few minutes before transferring the finished nachos to keep everything hot longer, especially important for larger gatherings.
- Reserve a handful of fresh chips to tuck into the edges of your nachos right before serving, offering textural contrast for those who prefer extra crunch.