Cheesy Nacho Casserole (Printable Version)
Layered Tex-Mex casserole of seasoned beef, crunchy tortilla chips and melted cheddar, topped with cilantro and jalapeños.
# 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, to taste
09 - Black pepper, to taste
→ Dairy
10 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
11 - 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
12 - 1/2 cup sour cream (optional, for topping)
→ Chips
13 - 5 cups tortilla chips, lightly crushed
→ Toppings
14 - 1/2 cup sliced black olives (optional)
15 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced
16 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
17 - Fresh jalapeños, sliced (optional)
# How To Make:
01 - Set oven temperature to 375°F and allow it to preheat fully before starting assembly.
02 - In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and chopped onion, breaking up the meat, until beef is no longer pink and onion is softened, about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain excess fat.
03 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Incorporate the taco seasoning, black beans, diced tomatoes with green chilies, and frozen corn if using. Simmer for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, to blend the flavors. Season with salt and black pepper.
04 - Arrange half of the tortilla chips evenly across the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Spoon half the beef mixture over the chips and scatter with half of the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses. Repeat with remaining chips, beef mixture, and cheeses.
05 - Bake uncovered for 20 minutes, until the cheese is bubbling and lightly golden on top.
06 - Remove dish from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Add sour cream, black olives, green onions, cilantro, and jalapeños to taste. Serve immediately while hot.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- You get all the comfort of nachos in a single, easy-to-share baking dish – and the cheese stays gloriously gooey.
- This is just as good for hurried weeknights as it is for inviting friends over, because everyone gets excited for crispy, melty layers.
02 -
- If you skip the resting step, the cheese and toppings slide everywhere – patience pays off for prettier servings.
- I once tried skipping the layer of chips in the middle and missed that key crispy layer, so don’t skimp if you love crunch.
03 -
- Lightly crush the tortilla chips by hand so you keep larger pieces for texture; a rolling pin makes them too fine too fast.
- Mix cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese for both sharpness and that dream-worthy gooey stretch—don’t use just one if you can help it.