Cheesy Nacho Casserole (Print Version)
Layered bake of seasoned beef, tortilla chips and melted cheddar, topped with sour cream, cilantro and jalapeños.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 1 pound ground beef
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
05 - 1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
06 - 1 cup frozen corn, optional
→ Spices & Seasonings
07 - 1 packet (1 ounce) taco seasoning
08 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Dairy
09 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
10 - 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
11 - 1/2 cup sour cream, optional, for topping
→ Chips
12 - 5 cups tortilla chips, lightly crushed
→ Toppings
13 - 1/2 cup sliced black olives, optional
14 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced
15 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
16 - Fresh jalapeños, sliced, optional
# How to Make It:
01 - Set oven temperature to 375°F (190°C) and allow it to preheat.
02 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and chopped onion. Cook, breaking the meat apart, until beef is browned and onion has softened, about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
03 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add taco seasoning, black beans, diced tomatoes with green chilies, and frozen corn if using. Simmer for 3 to 4 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
04 - In a 9x13-inch baking dish, spread half of the crushed tortilla chips across the base. Layer with half of the beef and vegetable mixture, followed by half of the shredded cheeses. Repeat with remaining chips, meat mixture, and cheeses.
05 - Transfer to the oven and bake uncovered for 20 minutes until cheese is melted, bubbling, and golden brown.
06 - Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. Top with dollops of sour cream, sliced olives, green onions, chopped cilantro, and jalapeño slices as desired. Serve immediately while hot.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- This is the answer for those nights when you want big flavor with minimal fuss—it all comes together in one dish with zero fancy prep.
- It vanishes faster than you think, and it’s become my standby for game nights, snow days, and anytime I want to see people go back for seconds.
02 -
- Don’t skip the rest time after baking—jumping in too soon turns every serving into a lava slide of cheese and beans.
- Layering chips directly on the bottom gives them just enough heat to soften, but they’ll stay a bit crisp along the edges—unless you overload with sauce (which I’ve totally done, oops).
03 -
- Sneak a handful of cheese in each layer for bites that stretch with melty strings—trust me.
- Adding a splash of salsa or hot sauce before baking perks everything up beautifully.