Beef Nachos with Guacamole (Printable)
Spiced ground beef and melted cheese layered on crispy chips, served with fresh guacamole and lime wedges.
# What You'll Need:
→ Beef Mixture
01 - 1 tbsp olive oil
02 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 12 oz ground beef
05 - 1 tsp ground cumin
06 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
07 - 1/2 tsp chili powder
08 - 1/2 tsp ground coriander
09 - 1/2 tsp salt
10 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
11 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
12 - 1/4 cup beef or chicken broth
→ Assembly
13 - 7 oz tortilla chips
14 - 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
15 - 1 small tomato, diced
16 - 1 small red onion, finely diced
17 - 1 jalapeño, thinly sliced (optional)
18 - Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
19 - Lime wedges, to serve
→ Guacamole
20 - 2 ripe avocados
21 - 1 small tomato, seeded and diced
22 - 1/4 small red onion, finely chopped
23 - 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
24 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
25 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
03 - Add ground beef to the skillet and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until it turns brown, approximately 5 to 6 minutes.
04 - Incorporate ground cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, ground coriander, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute until the spices release their aroma.
05 - Add tomato paste and broth. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture thickens slightly, then remove from heat.
06 - Spread tortilla chips evenly in a single layer on a large oven-safe platter or baking sheet.
07 - Spoon the cooked beef mixture evenly over the chips, then sprinkle with shredded cheese.
08 - Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
09 - While nachos bake, mash avocados with lime juice in a bowl to a chunky consistency. Stir in diced tomato, chopped red onion, cilantro, and season with salt and black pepper.
10 - Remove nachos from the oven. Top with diced tomato, red onion, jalapeño slices if using, and fresh cilantro. Serve immediately alongside guacamole and lime wedges.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- Everything comes together in 40 minutes, so you can go from craving to serving without drama.
- The spiced beef is the opposite of one-dimensional—it's warm, layered, and reminds people why Tex-Mex became a favorite.
- It's genuinely a crowd-pleaser that works for casual hangs, game nights, or when someone unexpected drops by.
02 -
- The single layer of chips is non-negotiable—stack them and you'll end up with a mushy, steamed mess instead of crispy nachos with melted cheese.
- Don't oversalt or overseason the beef; the spices need room to bloom when they hit the heat, and you can always taste and adjust once it's simmering.
- Ripe avocado makes or breaks the guacamole—if yours are hard, wait a day or two rather than forcing underripe fruit.
03 -
- If you want extra flavor and substance, stir a can of black beans (drained and rinsed) into the beef during the last minute of cooking.
- Don't skip the lime juice in the guacamole—it prevents browning and adds a brightness that everything else depends on.