Ultimate Nacho Platter

🕒 Prep: 10 min
🔥 Cook: 15 min
🍽 Serves: 8
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Welcome to the Ultimate Nacho Platter recipe! It's the perfect party starter or casual dinner option, loaded with layers of melted cheese, seasoned beef or beans, and a variety of toppings that will keep everyone coming back for more.

Ingredients for Ultimate Nacho Platter

The base of this recipe is a crunchy layer of tortilla chips, which provides the perfect foundation for all those delicious toppings. We use a mix of cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack cheese for a rich, creamy melt. For a bit of spice, jalapeños are added, but adjust to your taste preference. You can choose between ground beef or black beans as the protein, seasoned with a packet of taco seasoning for a burst of flavor. The finishing touches include guacamole, sour cream, and salsa for dipping, while cilantro, diced tomatoes, black olives, and green onions add fresh, vibrant notes.

Tips & Tricks

  • For extra crispy chips, you can lightly toast them in the oven before adding toppings.
  • To avoid soggy nachos, layer cheese directly on the chips before adding any wetter toppings like tomatoes or olives.
  • If you're serving a crowd, consider keeping the dips on the side so everyone can customize their plate.
  • Want more heat? Try adding a drizzle of hot sauce on top before serving.

Serving Suggestions

Pair this nacho platter with a refreshing margarita or iced tea for a complete fiesta feel. You could also serve it alongside a light corn salad or a tangy coleslaw to balance the richness. If it's a movie night, keep it casual with some popcorn and candies on the side for a sweet contrast.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this ahead of time?
It's best to assemble and bake these nachos just before serving. However, you can prep all the toppings in advance to save time.
What if I don't have taco seasoning?
You can make your own with a mix of chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
How can I make this dish vegetarian?
Simply skip the ground beef and use black beans instead.

Ultimate Nacho Platter Recipe Walkthrough

First, you'll want to preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures everything melts perfectly once it's all assembled. If you're using ground beef, start by heating olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the beef and cook until it's browned, then stir in the taco seasoning to coat the meat evenly. This should only take a couple of minutes. If you're going the vegetarian route with black beans, just skip this step entirely.

Next, grab a large baking sheet and spread out half of the tortilla chips. This is the start of your first layer. Sprinkle half of your cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese over the chips. Follow this with half of the seasoned beef or beans, jalapeños, tomatoes, black olives, and green onions. This layering technique ensures that every bite is loaded with flavor!

Repeat the process with the remaining ingredients to create a second layer. This is what makes the nachos truly ultimate—layers upon layers of deliciousness. Once everything is stacked up, pop the tray into your preheated oven. Let it bake for about 10-15 minutes, just until the cheese is melted and bubbling.

When you pull it out, sprinkle some fresh cilantro over the top to add a pop of color and flavor. Serve the nachos hot, with guacamole, sour cream, and salsa on the side for dipping.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Customizable for meat lovers and vegetarians alike.
  • Easy to prepare in under 30 minutes.
  • Perfect for sharing with friends and family.
  • A delightful mix of textures and flavors in every bite.
  • Great for game day, movie night, or any casual gathering.

Ingredients

1 lb tortilla chips
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1/2 cup sliced jalapeños
1 lb ground beef or 1 can (15 oz) black beans
1 packet taco seasoning
1 cup guacamole
1 cup sour cream
1 cup salsa
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
2 tbsp olive oil
1/2 cup diced tomatoes
1/4 cup sliced black olives
1/4 cup chopped green onions

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a skillet over medium heat, add olive oil and cook ground beef until browned. Stir in taco seasoning and cook for an additional 2 minutes. If using black beans, skip this step.
3. On a large baking sheet, spread half of the tortilla chips evenly.
4. Sprinkle half of the cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses over the chips.
5. Add half of the seasoned beef or black beans, jalapeños, tomatoes, black olives, and green onions.
6. Layer remaining tortilla chips and repeat the topping process with remaining ingredients.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
8. Remove from oven and sprinkle with chopped cilantro.
9. Serve hot with guacamole, sour cream, and salsa on the side.

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