Ground Beef Nachos are the ultimate party food or weeknight dinner, piled high with seasoned beef, melty cheese, beans, and all your favorite toppings. Crispy, cheesy, and loaded with flavor, they’re always a crowd-pleaser.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These nachos are quick to make, endlessly customizable, and great for feeding a group. The combination of savory ground beef, melted cheddar, crunchy chips, and fresh toppings hits all the right notes—plus, you can serve them straight from the sheet pan.

Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For The Nachos:
1 pound lean ground beef
½ onion, diced
2 tablespoons taco seasoning (or 1 packet)
16 ounces tortilla chips
8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese (or more as desired)
1 cup canned pinto beans, drained and rinsed
For The Toppings:
¼ cup pico de gallo
¼ cup guacamole
¼ cup sour cream
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
Directions
- Preheat The Oven
Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C). - Cook The Ground Beef
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat. Stir in the taco seasoning until the beef is well coated. - Assemble The Nachos
On a large baking sheet, spread out the tortilla chips in an even layer. Sprinkle half the cheese over the chips. Evenly distribute the cooked ground beef and pinto beans over the cheese. Top with the remaining cheese. - Bake The Nachos
Bake for 8–12 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the edges of the chips are golden. - Add Toppings And Serve
Remove from the oven and sprinkle with chopped cilantro. Add dollops of sour cream, guacamole, and pico de gallo on top—or serve them on the side for dipping.
Servings And Timing
Serves: 4–6
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Variations
- Use black beans or refried beans instead of pinto beans
- Add sliced jalapeños or pickled onions for a spicy kick
- Swap cheddar for a mix of cheeses like Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack
- Top with shredded lettuce or diced avocado after baking
- Make it vegetarian by omitting the beef and using more beans or plant-based crumbles
Storage/Reheating
Nachos are best served fresh, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Reheat in the oven or toaster oven at 350°F until warmed through and crisp again. Avoid the microwave to keep chips from getting soggy.

FAQs
Can I make these nachos in advance?
Assemble the meat and prep toppings ahead of time, but bake just before serving to keep chips crisp.
Can I use ground turkey or chicken?
Yes, both are great substitutes for beef and cook similarly.
What kind of cheese melts best?
Cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican cheese blend all melt well and add great flavor.
How do I keep nachos from getting soggy?
Use thick chips, don’t overload with wet ingredients, and serve toppings like salsa or sour cream on the side.
Can I double the recipe for a crowd?
Yes, just use two sheet pans or a larger tray and adjust baking time slightly if needed.
What’s the best way to serve nachos at a party?
Serve on a large tray or baking sheet with toppings on the side for easy access and customization.
Can I make this gluten-free?
Use gluten-free tortilla chips and seasoning, and confirm all toppings are gluten-free.
What can I use instead of taco seasoning?
Combine chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt for a homemade mix.
Can I make nachos in an air fryer?
Yes—assemble in a small oven-safe dish and air fry at 375°F for about 5–7 minutes.
How do I reheat nachos without drying them out?
Reheat in the oven and cover lightly with foil to prevent excessive browning while maintaining crispness.
Conclusion
Ground Beef Nachos are easy to prepare, fun to eat, and guaranteed to satisfy any craving for bold, cheesy, and crunchy goodness. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or treating yourself, this recipe delivers big flavor in every bite. Perfect for game night, parties, or a no-fuss dinner!
Print
Ground Beef Nachos
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Ground Beef Nachos are a quick and satisfying dish made with seasoned beef, melted cheese, pinto beans, and your favorite toppings, all layered on crispy tortilla chips and baked to perfection.
Ingredients
1 pound lean ground beef
½ onion, diced
2 tablespoons taco seasoning (or 1 packet)
16 ounces tortilla chips
8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese (or more as desired)
1 cup canned pinto beans, drained and rinsed
¼ cup pico de gallo
¼ cup guacamole
¼ cup sour cream
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C).
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef and onion until browned. Drain fat and stir in taco seasoning.
- Spread tortilla chips on a baking sheet. Sprinkle half the cheese, then layer with beef and beans. Top with remaining cheese.
- Bake for 8–12 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Top with cilantro, sour cream, guacamole, and pico de gallo, or serve toppings on the side.
Notes
- Swap pinto beans with black or refried beans.
- Add jalapeños or pickled onions for extra heat.
- Use different cheeses like Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack.
- Add fresh lettuce or avocado after baking.
- Make vegetarian with plant-based crumbles or extra beans.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 generous portion
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 740mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 80mg