Not just another beef nachos….the 5 minute, all-natural nachos cheese sauce is what makes this a RIPPER nachos! Plus, my “rules” for how to construct the perfect nachos. 🙂
My Rules for How To Make the Perfect Nachos
Rule #1: The Nachos Cheese Sauce ensures even coverage of cheesy goodness on every single chip which you simply can’t achieve just by using grated cheese. Unless you use an inordinate amount of it! Remember: A corn chip without cheese on it is just a chip – not nachos!
Rule #2: Hot and cold must be separated. Never dump cold guacamole and sour cream on top of hot melted cheese. It will set instantly. Nobody wants nachos with cold cheese. So serve cold toppings on the side!
Rule #3: Use a sturdy corn chip. Now is not the time to use no-brand corn chips! Nobody likes soggy chips and nobody likes chips that break when you score one that is gloriously loaded!
(PS Please note, my hands are extra swollen and puffy in this photo because it was a stinking hot, humid day in Sydney and I have no air conditioning!!! 😉 )
(PPS Oh my. I forgot to put the Pico de Gallo on. Shock horror, I skipped the veggies.)
Rule #4: Freshly grated cheese will melt better….just sayin’….
Rule #5: Homemade seasoning for the beef is better than store bought….just sayin’…..
Rule #6: Build the nachos in single layers to ensure that you don’t end up with a pile of corn chips with no toppings. No one’s interested in plain corn chips at a time like this!
Rule #7: Don’t overbake! The trick is to just melt the cheese and warm the nachos all the way through without burning the corn chips (or – gasp, shock horror – the cheese!).
Extra Rules
Rule #8: Nachos must not be made when alone. Too dangerous.
Rule #9: Beer and/or wine (preferably both) must be present.
Rule #10: No cutlery.
Now that we’re all clear on the rules, here’s the recipe! 😉 – Nagi x
What are YOUR Nachos Rules? Tell me below, and I’ll add them to my list!!! 😉
PS For something a little different, try this Nachos Pie! It’s everything you know and love about nachos – in pie form!
WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT
PS Little video I made for the Nachos Cheese Sauce, also including this Nachos!
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Ripper Beef Nachos
Ingredients
Beef
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1/2 onion , finely chopped
- 1 lb / 500g ground beef (mince)
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tbsp water
Nachos Seasoning
- 1 tsp each onion powder (Note 1), dried oregano, salt
- 2 tsp each dried cumin powder , paprika
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper , or to taste
Nachos
- 14 oz / 400g corn chips , good quality (Note 2)
- 2 cups grated cheese (cheddar, tasty, gruyere, Monterey Jack)
- 1 quantity Nachos Cheese Sauce , warm (Note 3)
Sides/Garnish
- Sliced scallions / shallots
- 1 quantity Proper Guacamole , Restaurant Style
- 1 quantity Pico de Gallo (Note 4)
- Sour cream
Instructions
- Beef: Heat oil in a skillet over high heat. Add garlic and onion, cook until translucent. Add beef and cook, breaking it up as you go. Once beef is cooked, add Nachos Seasoning, tomato paste and water. Cook for a further 2 minutes, then set aside.
- Preheat oven to 180C/350F.
- Spread half the corn chips in a single layer on a baking tray. Drizzle over about 1 cup Nachos Cheese Sauce (see KEY TIPS in Note 3), top with 1/2 the Beef and 1/2 the grated cheese ensuring most of the Cheese Sauce is covered.
- Spread over remaining corn chips, drizzle over remaining Nachos Cheese Sauce, Beef and grated cheese, again ensuring all the Cheese Sauce is covered.
- Bake for 15 minutes or until cheese is melted.
- Serve immediately, garnished with sliced scallions/shallots if using and with Guacamole, Pico de Galloand Sour Cream on the side.
Recipe Notes:
Needed a recipe to use some of your slow cooker pulled pork leftovers so did this tonight. Also did all of the sides and it was amazing. Used the scale for 2 and it was so filling because of the amazing sides that we now have some for lunch tomorrow too. Another great one Nagi x
Nachos is a weekly staple in our house but I normally use a seasoning mix from the supermarket. Started browning the mince and realised I didn’t have any seasoning so I rush to the computer – Nagi will not fail me – and there it is, the nachos recipe and I even have ALL the ingredients. Eating now, so much nicer than the bought stuff. I added black beans because it is a cheap and tasty filler, and a tin of chopped tomatoes, just because that’s what I normally do. Thank you. 😀
Loved this recipe! Regular nachos cooker but the tips made this knockout with the whole family. I made the cheesy sauce (was hesistant about adding this in) but you were absolutely right and this was a game change.
I also made the guac and it was fabulous as well. So far 100% success rate with your recipes
Love this recipe as well as the nacho cheese sauce. Added capsicum and olives to the meat as well
When my son requested nachos I knew I needed a good one. First time making them and the result was amazing and an absolute keeper. That cheese sauce was super and so easy to make too.
Hi! Yet another recipe I’m looking forward to making (doing some batch cooking before baby #3 comes and most of the meals are from your blog!). I was thinking of adding beans to this to bulk it up, and I’m wondering what type you would recommend and would it be necessary to alter anything else in the recipe? Thanks!
Hi Miriam, perfect idea, I’d just add some black beans to it to bulk it up!
Thank you so much for sharing great post very detailed explanation about competitor Keyword and learned somethings new.
This has become a must make in my house, whenever I have company. But as if it isn’t naughty enough we also serve portions in burrito wraps! Ever had a nacho burrito? Omg!
Woah that’s so great!!
Made these nachos, they were delicious! The nacho sauce absolutely took it to another level.
Nagi – we are making this recipe once again. It is delectable! Thank you 🙂
I’m so glad you love them!
Made this new years eve to have with friends. Everyone loved it and can’t wait to find an excuse to make it again. The cheese sauce was amazing
My Grandson asked for Nachos. Needless to say, I headed straight here. I had to make two rules. One, don’t taste test from the oven. Two, please let me get them to the table first, Seriously they crowd round a hot pan as soon as I removed it from the oven :-)) I made a double batch. Next time will be a triple batch to serve 8. :-))
WOOT! What great feedback, I’m so glad you all loved them!
Hi Nagi, thank you for another winner! Even my fussy 1 year old devoured his share yesterday.
Mini quiches today was a hit again 😋
As an aside, my 3 and 5 yr old were playing house and decided to be You!! They lOVE Love love you and always ask is it Nagi’s!
Hi Nagi,
Every recipe of yours I make is spot on.
This was another great Sunday afternoon snack, so fresh and delicious.
The work you put into developing and testing your recipes really shows.
Thank you.
I just made it for the first time and it was delicious! I make nachos all the time but this just takes it to another level! The nacho cheese sauce was simple and so creamy and yummy! Thanks for the recipe.
The recipe looks amazing! We have great queso here in Texas, but I can’t wait to try your nacho cheese sauce recipe! Thank you so much for sharing, and for your kind and thoughtful responses. You made my day brighter.
Cheers,
John W.
You DO have great queso in Texas!!! Wish we had queso here in Australia – that’s why I had to figure out how to make a good homemade one! 😂
I like nachos very much. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
That’s so terrific Beth! Thanks for letting me know! N xx ❤️
Hi Nagi, I have been on the hunt for a quick and easy beef recipe for Mexican dishes. This is far and away the winner. I don’t even buy the packet stuff from coles anymore. I have done the nachos and cheese sauce with the guac and they are so delicious also but when I want to do burrito or something I also just use the mince recipe. Thanks for yet a north er winner. I am slowly cooking my way through your site
YES YES YES!!! I am SO PLEASED to hear that. And you totally read my mind, I have beef burritos on my list made pretty much using this beef mince recipe! N xx
Yep! It gets high praise from my husband. I used to feel like I mexiCAN’T but with your recipes I feel like I MexiCAN! Sorry couldn’t resist…
OMG! So delicious! The homemade cheese sauce took these over the edge. I waited to make the recipe when we would have a full house so the two of us would not eat the entire batch! Not a morsel was left, so YUMMY! Thank you so much Nagi for always giving such wonderful instructions and providing great recipes. I have made so many of your recipes, I have lost count!
Greatly appreciate all your efforts!
Happy to hear everyone enjoyed this Laura! Thank you for letting me know! N xx PS Isn’t that cheese sauce just EVERYTHING?? I die x 1 million!
Forgot to rate the recipe. Sorry!
This recipe made our new years eve, many thanks from germany!
High five! So glad you enjoyed it Max, thanks so much for letting me know! N xx
This was absolutely incredible! Definitely making it again!
So glad you enjoyed it Jassett! Thanks for letting me know! N x