Cheesy Nacho Casserole (Printable)
Layers of seasoned beef, crunchy tortilla chips and melted cheeses topped with cilantro, jalapeños and sour cream.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 1 pound ground beef
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
05 - 1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
06 - 1 cup frozen corn (optional)
→ Spices & Seasonings
07 - 1 (1 ounce) packet 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 Cook:
01 - Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
02 - In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground beef and chopped onion. Cook, breaking up the meat, until beef is browned and onion is soft, about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain excess fat.
03 - Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute. Stir in taco seasoning, black beans, diced tomatoes with green chilies, and corn if using. Simmer for 3 to 4 minutes to meld the flavors. Season with salt and black pepper.
04 - Spread half of the crushed tortilla chips over the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Spoon half of the meat mixture onto the chips, and sprinkle with half of the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses. Repeat with remaining chips, meat, and cheese to form layers.
05 - Bake uncovered for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden.
06 - Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with sour cream, black olives, green onions, cilantro, and jalapeños as desired. Serve immediately.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- This casserole is a lifesaver when you want bold Tex-Mex flavor without any fancy fuss.
- The mix of crunchy chips and melty cheese will have everyone scooping seconds.
02 -
- Once, I baked it too long and the chips got soggy—skip covering it so they stay crispier.
- Tasting the meat mixture before layering made me realize how much seasoning it can absorb, so don’t hold back on checking flavors.
03 -
- Buy block cheese and shred it yourself for meltier, creamier layers.
- Layering the chips last rather than first helps them keep a bit more crunch if you want extra texture.