Print

Easy Sheet Pan Nachos with Ground Beef for Football Sunday

easy sheet pan nachos with ground beef - featured image
Print Recipe

These sheet pan nachos are the ultimate game day snack—loaded with seasoned ground beef, melted cheese, refried beans, and fresh toppings, all baked on one pan for easy serving. They’re quick, customizable, and guaranteed to disappear fast.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450g) lean ground beef (80/20 works great, but you can drain the fat)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp dried oregano
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • ¼ cup (60ml) water or low-sodium beef broth
  • 1 large (13-15 oz / 370-425g) bag of sturdy tortilla chips (restaurant-style or thick-cut)
  • 1 can (15 oz / 425g) refried beans
  • 2 cups (8 oz / 225g) shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 1 cup (4 oz / 115g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 can (4 oz / 115g) diced green chiles, drained
  • ½ cup (120ml) sour cream (for serving)
  • ½ cup (120ml) guacamole or sliced fresh avocado (for serving)
  • ¼ cup (60ml) fresh salsa or pico de gallo (for serving)
  • ¼ cup (15g) fresh cilantro, chopped (for serving)
  • 2–3 green onions, sliced (for serving)
  • Pickled jalapeños (to taste, for serving)
  • Hot sauce (optional, for serving)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Cook the ground beef: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes, until it starts to soften. Add the ground beef and break it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook for 5-7 minutes, until browned and no longer pink. Drain excess fat if needed.
  3. Season the beef: Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in water or beef broth and stir, scraping up browned bits. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until liquid mostly evaporates. Set aside.
  4. Prepare the refried beans: In a small bowl, stir the refried beans with a fork until smooth and spreadable. Add a tablespoon of water if too thick.
  5. Layer the first round of chips: Spread half of the tortilla chips in an even layer on a large rimmed baking sheet.
  6. Add the first layer of beans and beef: Drop small spoonfuls of refried beans over the chips and gently spread. Sprinkle half of the seasoned ground beef over the beans, then scatter half of the diced green chiles.
  7. Add the first layer of cheese: Sprinkle 1 cup of Monterey Jack and ½ cup of cheddar over the beef and beans.
  8. Repeat the layers: Add remaining tortilla chips, then the rest of the refried beans, ground beef, and green chiles. Top with remaining 1 cup Monterey Jack and ½ cup cheddar.
  9. Bake: Place the sheet pan in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly and chips are lightly golden at the edges.
  10. Top and serve immediately: Remove from oven. Add fresh toppings: sour cream, guacamole, salsa, cilantro, green onions, pickled jalapeños, and hot sauce if desired. Serve straight from the sheet pan.

Notes

For best texture, shred cheese from a block instead of using pre-shredded. Let cooked beef cool slightly before layering to prevent soggy chips. Serve immediately for maximum crunch. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days and reheated in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: sheet pan nachos, ground beef nachos, game day nachos, easy nachos, football sunday recipe, crowd-pleaser, quick dinner

Find it online: https://forkifyfun.com/easy-sheet-pan-nachos-with-ground-beef-for-football-sunday/