How to Video
Baked Nachos
Baked Nachos are a quick, kid-friendly meal that will please the whole family. Save yourself some time and cook and freeze the meat ahead of time to have on hand.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces tortilla chips (a typical 8-ounce bag should be more than enough)
- 1 pound cooked taco-seasoned ground beef (sub: shredded Cilantro Lime Chicken, Southwest Chicken, Slow Cooker Carnitas, and/or black beans)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Optional Toppings for Serving: diced avocado, salsa, chopped tomatoes, sour cream, shredded lettuce, guacamole, black olives, diced jalapeños, black beans, diced red onion, chopped cilantro, diced green onion, etc.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Cover a rimmed baking sheet with foil and spray with cooking spray.
- Spread tortilla chips in a single layer on the bottom of pan. Cover with taco meat (and/or black beans or shredded chicken). Top with the cheese.
- Bake for about 5-6 minutes, until the meat is warm and the cheese is melted to your liking.
- Remove from oven and add your favorite toppings.
Freezer Instructions
Freeze For Later: Cook the meat as directed from whatever recipe you choose: Taco meat, Carnitas, Cilantro Lime Chicken, etc. Then let the mixture cool completely. Place it in a freezer bag, seal and freeze. In a separate bag, freeze about 2 cups of shredded cheese. Freeze together as a kit. Be sure to have a bag of tortilla chips on hand in the pantry, too.
Prepare From Frozen: Let all ingredients thaw in the refrigerator. Following Steps 2-4.
Notes/Tips
- Prevent soggy nachos: be sure to drain excess liquid from the meat or any wet toppings, like diced tomatoes. Also, this meal is best served immediately. The longer it sits out, the chips will absorb moisture.
- Reheating nachos can be tricky. For the best results, reheat them in the oven at 350°F until the chips crisp up and the cheese melts again. Avoid microwaving, as this will make the chips soggy. Alternatively, deconstruct leftovers and use the toppings in other dishes, like a burrito bowl or taco salad.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 serving with chips, cheese, and beef only | Calories: 558 kcal (28%) | Carbohydrates: 32 g (11%) | Protein: 32 g (64%) | Fat: 34 g (52%) | Cholesterol: 104 mg (35%) | Sodium: 504 mg (22%) | Fiber: 2 g (8%) | Sugar: 1 g (1%)
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