Beef Nacho Platter (Printable Version)

Crispy chips topped with seasoned beef, melty cheese, and fresh garnishes, perfect for sharing.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Beef Mixture

01 - 1 lb ground beef
02 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
05 - 1 tablespoon chili powder
06 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
07 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
10 - 1/4 cup water

→ Assembly

11 - 9 oz tortilla chips
12 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
13 - 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
14 - 1 medium tomato, diced
15 - 1 small jalapeño, thinly sliced (optional)
16 - 1/4 cup sliced black olives (optional)
17 - 2 spring onions, thinly sliced
18 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
19 - Sour cream, to serve
20 - Salsa, to serve
21 - Guacamole, to serve

# Directions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until softened.
02 - Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Incorporate ground beef, breaking it into pieces, and cook until no longer pink, approximately 5 minutes.
03 - Mix in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and water. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until most of the liquid evaporates. Remove from heat.
04 - Set oven temperature to 400°F (200°C).
05 - Spread tortilla chips evenly in a single layer on a large baking sheet or oven-safe platter.
06 - Distribute the cooked beef mixture over the tortilla chips, then sprinkle with cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses evenly.
07 - Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until cheese melts fully and is bubbly.
08 - Remove from oven and top with diced tomato, sliced jalapeño, black olives, spring onions, and chopped cilantro.
09 - Serve immediately accompanied by sour cream, salsa, and guacamole.

# Top Tips:

01 -
  • It feeds a crowd with minimal fuss and maximum impact, which honestly is the dream for entertaining.
  • Everything comes together in 30 minutes, so you can actually enjoy your guests instead of being stuck in the kitchen.
  • The contrast between melted cheese, warm beef, and cool fresh toppings makes every single bite interesting.
02 -
  • Add toppings right before serving—not a moment before—because warm chips soften under cold sour cream, and that's when disappointment sets in.
  • Don't skip browning the beef properly; it's the difference between tasting like a lazy snack and tasting like you actually care.
  • If your chips get soggy before serving, run a fresh batch in the oven for 2 minutes to crisp them back up.
03 -
  • Buy slightly thicker tortilla chips than you'd normally choose—they hold up better under beef and cheese without becoming sad and mushy.
  • Shred your own cheese if you have 5 extra minutes, because pre-shredded gets coated in anti-caking agents that prevent the silky melt you're after.
  • If the platter sits for more than a few minutes, return it to a warm oven briefly—just 2 to 3 minutes at 180°C will revive the crispness.

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