Beef Nachos Recipe – Loaded, Easy & Crowd-Pleasin’ Dinner or Appetizer

Looking for an easy way to make beef nachos at home? Whether you’re using fresh seasoned beef or leftover cooked beef, this recipe comes together in no time. Layer the beef with melty cheese, fresh toppings, and a crispy tortilla base, and you’ll have a crowd-pleasing dish ready for dinner, lunch, or game night.

These beef nachos are perfect for busy weeknights when you want a hearty, flavorful meal without spending hours in the kitchen. They’re also ideal as an appetizer or snack for parties and casual gatherings. Quick, customizable, and always delicious — nachos are a favorite for both kids and adults alike.

If you’re looking for more easy beef dinner ideas, be sure to check out our beef recipes category for more hearty, family-friendly meals that come together fast.

Beef Nachos

See all the ways to make loaded beef nachos for any night of the week! 

This beef nachos dinner can be made any night of the week! It makes a quick and easy dinner! Or make nachos for lunch, a snack, or an appetizer! 

First, cook your beef (see all the ways below) or see if you can grab it pre-made/pre-cooked beef in the deli or grocery market (no harm, no foul). I like to make my shredded beef the day/night before. But you can also make it the same day, just allow for more prep/cooking time.

What Beef To Cook For Nachos?

Use Ground Beef

This is a quick and easy option: Making beef nachos can also be as simple as getting a package of taco seasoning and ground beef to cook for this recipe! Just add 10-15 minutes to the prep/cooking time.

Make it vegetarian

Do you need to make this recipe vegetarian? You can just pick up vegetarian ground beef or plant-based taco filling

Use Shredded Beef

You might remember the other day I shared my beef barbacoa recipe, that made in the Instant Pot. This is easy to make and serve for dinner, plus one way to use up any leftovers from the recipe. Win/win. 

Alternatively, you can use these ground beef recipes to make beef for the nachos. 

• You can use this recipe for ground beef tacos, or this ground beef tacos recipe for today's beef nachos recipe. 
• And if you like recipes like this but would rather make nachos with chicken, grab our easy restaurant-style nachos recipe. 

Nachos for the win! 

Beef Nachos Recipe or Game Night Nachos Recipe

Best Beef Nachos With Seasoned Beef

Ingredients  For Beef Nachos

• 1 lb ground beef (or leftover cooked beef)
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• Salt & pepper, to taste
• 1 bag tortilla chips
• 2 cups shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
• 1/2 cup diced tomatoes (optional)
• 1/4 cup sliced jalapeños (optional)
• 1/4 cup Black Beans (optional)
• 1/4 cup Black Olives (optional)
• Sour cream, guacamole, or chopped green onions, and Salsa for garnish

Other Ingredients to have on hand for making the best homemade beef nachos!

Of course, you can use your favorite nacho toppings! Like nacho cheese sauce! Our favorite, diced green chilies…You do you! We love using what we have on hand or grab at the grocery store, on Amazon pantry, Trader Joe's… to make nachos. 

• Black Olives
• Diced tomatoes or Fired Roasted Diced Tomatoes
• Pinto Beans
• Refried Beans 
• White Onion
• Jalapeno Peppers
• Avocados
• Lime (for squeezing onto the meat, it brings out all the flavors). Oh, Yum! 

Anyway you spin this recipe for beef nachos, you are going to be enjoying this food bite, after bite! Find the printable recipe below the steps. 

Instructions 

Tips For Cooking Nachos In The Oven

The oven time or temperature may need to be adjusted depending on your altitude and oven, or even how many layers of nachos you have on the sheet pan. Temp. up to 425°F for a slower oven or more than one layer of nachos. Check on the cooking nachos during the cooking process; they are done when the cheese is melted, and the ingredients are hot! Use hot pads for removing the tray from the oven.

Have pre-cooked shredded beef or pre-cooked ground beef on hand.

You can make this in the Instant Pot, slow cooker, crockpot, or on the stovetop below using ground beef.

How to Cook the Beef

Cooking the beef is the heart of this recipe — and it’s easier than you think. You can use fresh ground beef or repurpose leftover cooked beef to save time. Here’s how to get it perfectly seasoned and flavorful every time:

How to Cook the Beef

Cooking the beef is the heart of this recipe — and it’s easier than you think. You can use fresh ground beef or repurpose leftover cooked beef to save time. Here’s how to get it perfectly seasoned and flavorful every time:

1. Brown the Beef
   Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the ground beef until fully browned.
2. Season for Flavor
   Add salt, pepper, and spices like chili powder, cumin, or paprika. Stir to combine and let the flavors meld.
3. Drain if Needed
   If there’s excess fat, drain it or add a splash of water or beef broth to keep the beef juicy.
4. Use Leftovers for a Shortcut
   Got leftover roast beef, steak, or cooked ground beef? Chop it up, reheat in the skillet, and season lightly — it works just as well.
5. Optional Variations

• Mix in shredded chicken for a combo nachos twist.
• Add additional beans or corn to stretch the filling for larger crowds.
• For extra flavor, sprinkle a little taco seasoning or smoked paprika while cooking.
• Or use a taco seasoning package for the ground beef.

Tip: Cooking the beef first ensures every nacho bite is loaded with seasoned, flavorful meat before you start layering the chips and toppings.

Assembling Your Nachos

Step 1. Preheat the Oven
Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) and prepare a baking sheet or oven-safe dish.

Step 2. Layer the Chips

Spread tortilla chips evenly on the sheet or dish to create a sturdy base. aluminum foilsheet-pan

Step 3. Add the Beef

Spoon the cooked, seasoned beef over the chips, making sure it’s evenly distributed.

Step 4. Sprinkle The Cheese

Cover the beef and chips with shredded cheese. Use as much or as little as you like — it melts beautifully in the oven. Add extra cheese if you like them cheesy!

Step 5. Add Toppings (Optional)

Scatter diced tomatoes, jalapeños, black beans, or olives over the top. This step is optional but adds flavor and texture. Don't forget to drizzle your favorite salsa over the tortilla chips and nacho ingredients.

Step 6. Bake until melted

Place in the oven for 5–10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 7. Finish With Fresh Garnishes

Remove from the oven (using oven pads), let cool slightly, and add sour cream, guacamole, green onions, or cilantro for a fresh finish.

Enjoy with your favorite topping and garnishes!

Tips for Quick and Easy Nachos

• Use leftover beef or cook the beef the day before.
• Prep toppings with a food chopper.
• Shred cheese with a food processor.
• Busy during the week? Cook the beef for the nachos on the weekend.
• Pre-prep the shredded cheese and any garnishes in advance of baking.

Serving Ideas and Variations

• You can easily substitute toppings and garnishes with your favorite salsas or ingredients.
• Garnishes: Cilantro, Jalapenos, Green Onions, Sour Cream, Nacho Cheese Sauce, and Guacamole 
• Make a side of rice to serve for dinner.
• Make an additional can of refried beans to serve on the side. Add a small amount of cream cheese to make it creamy.

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More dinner recipes Ideas

• Dinners Pinterest 
• Easy Dinner Ideas Pinterest
• Ground Beef Recipes Pinterest
• Ground Beef Recipes 

Pin it For Later

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Print The Recipe For Shredded Beef Nachos

Are you looking for more Mexican-inspired food to cook?

Cook Any of These Recipes

1. Chicken Fajitas 30 minute meal. Serve with rice and beans, or use it for tacos and burritos. Easy to make, and super tasty! 
2. Instant Pot Chicken Tacos is the perfect way to make chicken for tacos, burritos or enchiladas. Seriously easy! 
3. Chicken Stuffed Peppers these Mexican stuffed peppers are so good and easy to make! 
4. Mango Habanero Slow Cooker Tacos 
5. Easy Smothered Chicken Tacos an easy chicken recipe that is Mexican inspired. The chicken is spiced and cooked in a skillet, making a great chicken tacos stove-top recipe. 
6. Chicken Enchiladas an older recipe we love that needs images updated. But, has a video to help you make homemade chicken enchiladas. This recipe is easily adapted.
7. Chicken Taquitos Recipe 
8. Taco Potatoes – An easy dinner idea that everyone loves in our house! 
9. You can find all kinds of Mexican-inspired and beef recipes in our recipe index, too.