Cheesy Nacho Casserole (Printable)
Tex-Mex layered bake of seasoned beef, tortilla chips and melted cheddar, finished with cilantro and green onions.
# 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, including liquid
06 - 1 cup frozen corn, optional
→ Spices & Seasonings
07 - 1 packet (1 ounce) taco seasoning
08 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
→ Dairy
09 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
10 - 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
11 - 1/2 cup sour cream, for topping, optional
→ 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
# Directions:
01 - Set oven temperature to 375°F (190°C) and allow to fully preheat.
02 - In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook ground beef and chopped onion, breaking the meat into small crumbles, until the beef is browned and onion is softened, about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain excess fat from pan.
03 - Add minced garlic to skillet and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in taco seasoning, black beans, diced tomatoes with green chilies (including liquid), and frozen corn if using. Simmer for 3 to 4 minutes, allowing flavors to combine. Season with salt and black pepper according to taste.
04 - In a 9x13-inch baking dish, evenly spread half of the crushed tortilla chips over the base. Spoon half of the meat mixture over the chips, then distribute half of the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese on top.
05 - Repeat layers with remaining chips, the rest of the meat mixture, and top with the remaining cheese, distributing evenly.
06 - Transfer baking dish to oven and bake uncovered for 20 minutes, or until cheese is melted, bubbling, and beginning to turn golden.
07 - Remove dish from oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes. Top with sour cream, sliced black olives, green onions, chopped cilantro, and fresh jalapeños as desired. Serve immediately.
# Helpful Tips:
01 -
- Nobody needs perfect nachos here: the crunchy chip edges and gooey cheesy middle turn out crowd-pleasing every time, even if you get distracted.
- You can customize the toppings with whatever you have around—this was my solution for reducing fridge odds and ends after parties.
02 -
- If you skip draining tomatoes or the meat, the bottom layer of chips will get disappointingly soggy—trust me, I learned the hard way.
- Layering the cheese both in the middle and on top creates the irresistible gooey pull that makes everyone reach for seconds.
03 -
- For the creamiest melt, let cheese come to room temperature while you prep everything else.
- Toss the chips gently in the baking pan so sharp edges don&t shred all the layers—uneven pieces are your friend.