Cheesy Nacho Casserole (Printable Version)
Seasoned beef, crushed tortilla chips, beans and melted cheddar baked until bubbly and finished with fresh garnishes.
# 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
# Directions:
01 - Set oven to 375°F and allow to fully preheat during initial preparations.
02 - In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and finely chopped onion, breaking up the meat until uniformly browned and onion is softened, about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain and discard excess fat.
03 - Add minced garlic to the skillet and sauté 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 combine flavors. Season with salt and black pepper.
04 - Arrange half of the tortilla chips in the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Spoon half the meat mixture evenly over the chips, then sprinkle with half the shredded cheeses. Repeat the layers with remaining chips, remaining meat mixture, and remaining cheeses.
05 - Transfer the baking dish to the oven and bake uncovered for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling and golden brown.
06 - Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with sour cream, black olives, green onions, cilantro, and sliced jalapeños as desired. Serve while hot.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- That irresistible, melty cheese layer hides a riot of flavors and crunch in every bite.
- It’s the one dish even the pickiest eaters in my house devour without complaint (and usually ask for seconds).
02 -
- One time I skipped draining the beef and wondered why it turned soupy—always drain for firm layers.
- Taste your taco seasoning first; some blends are way saltier than others and can sneakily overpower everything.
03 -
- Lining the baking dish with a smear of oil prevents sticky, baked-on cheese bits that are tough to clean.
- Grate your own cheese instead of using pre-shredded for the best melt and no grainy texture.