Sheet Pan Nachos Beef

Featured in: Quick Weeknight Dinners

This dish offers a simple way to create a flavorful Tex-Mex style platter featuring crispy tortilla chips layered with seasoned, browned ground beef and melted cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese. The combination is enhanced by black beans and fresh toppings such as diced tomato, jalapeños, sliced olives, green onions, cilantro, and creamy sour cream. Preparing this involves browning beef with aromatic spices, layering ingredients on a sheet pan, then baking briefly to melt the cheese and unite the flavors. Ideal for sharing at casual gatherings, it’s easy to customize with substitutions like ground turkey or add-ons like salsa and bell peppers.

Updated on Fri, 21 Nov 2025 08:52:00 GMT
A glorious sheet pan of loaded nachos with ground beef, vibrant toppings, and melted cheese, ready to enjoy. Save
A glorious sheet pan of loaded nachos with ground beef, vibrant toppings, and melted cheese, ready to enjoy. | whisknjoy.com

A crowd-pleasing platter of crispy tortilla chips loaded with seasoned ground beef, melted cheese, and vibrant toppings—perfect for sharing at parties or game nights.

This recipe quickly became a hit whenever I hosted game nights, and everyone loves how customizable it is.

Ingredients

  • Ground Beef: 1 lb (450 g) ground beef (80/20 or leaner)
  • Onion: 1 small, finely diced
  • Garlic: 2 cloves, minced
  • Chili Powder: 1 tbsp
  • Ground Cumin: 1 tsp
  • Smoked Paprika: ½ tsp
  • Salt: ½ tsp
  • Black Pepper: ¼ tsp
  • Water: ½ cup (120 ml)
  • Tortilla Chips: 10 oz (280 g) sturdy chips
  • Cheese: 2 cups (200 g) shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack
  • Black Beans: 1 cup (150 g) canned, drained and rinsed
  • Tomato: 1 medium, diced
  • Pickled Jalapeño Slices: ½ cup (60 g)
  • Black Olives: ½ cup (60 g), sliced (optional)
  • Sour Cream: ½ cup (120 ml)
  • Cilantro: ¼ cup (10 g), chopped
  • Avocado: 1 medium, diced (optional)
  • Green Onions: 2, sliced

Instructions

Step 1:
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup.
Step 2:
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned about 5 minutes.
Step 3:
Add the diced onion and garlic sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened.
Step 4:
Stir in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Add water and simmer for 3-4 minutes until most of the liquid has evaporated. Remove from heat.
Step 5:
Spread the tortilla chips evenly across the prepared sheet pan.
Step 6:
Spoon the seasoned beef evenly over the chips. Sprinkle black beans, then cheese over the top.
Step 7:
Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbling.
Step 8:
Remove from the oven and immediately top with diced tomato, jalapeños, olives, green onions, cilantro, and avocado (if using).
Step 9:
Drizzle with sour cream or serve it on the side.
Step 10:
Serve hot, directly from the pan.
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This recipe always brings my family together, especially on casual weekend evenings when everyone digs in straight from the pan.

Notes

Swap ground turkey or plant-based crumble for a lighter or vegetarian version. Add corn, diced bell peppers, or your favorite salsa for extra flavor. Pair with a crisp lager or a zesty margarita.

Required Tools

Large sheet pan Skillet Chefs knife Cutting board Wooden spoon or spatula

Allergen Information

Contains dairy (cheese, sour cream) check cheese and sour cream labels for possible additives Contains gluten if using wheat-based chipsamp; choose gluten-free tortilla chips if needed Contains avocado (for those with latex avocado allergies) Contains legumes (black beans)

Warm, cheesy sheet pan nachos featuring savory ground beef with a rainbow of fresh toppings for sharing. Save
Warm, cheesy sheet pan nachos featuring savory ground beef with a rainbow of fresh toppings for sharing. | whisknjoy.com

Enjoy this colorful and flavorful nacho platter that is sure to be a crowd favorite at any gathering.

Recipe FAQ

Can I use a different type of meat?

Yes, ground turkey or chicken can be substituted for a lighter option without sacrificing flavor.

How do I keep the chips from getting soggy?

Layer chips on a sheet pan and bake briefly after adding toppings to maintain crispness while melting the cheese.

What cheese works best for melting?

Cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese melt well and offer a rich, creamy texture that complements the spices.

Are there vegetarian alternatives?

Plant-based crumble or beans can replace meat for a satisfying vegetarian version.

How can I add extra flavor?

Adding diced bell peppers, corn, or your favorite salsa can enhance the overall taste profile.

Sheet Pan Nachos Beef

A crowd-pleasing platter of crispy chips, seasoned beef, melted cheese, and fresh vibrant toppings.

Prep duration
15 min
Cook duration
20 min
Complete duration
35 min
Created by Sophia Turner

Classification Quick Weeknight Dinners

Skill Level Easy

Cultural Background Tex-Mex

Output 6 Portion Count

Dietary considerations None specified

Components

Beef Mixture

01 1 lb ground beef (80/20 or leaner)
02 1 small onion, finely diced
03 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 1 tbsp chili powder
05 1 tsp ground cumin
06 ½ tsp smoked paprika
07 ½ tsp salt
08 ¼ tsp black pepper
09 ½ cup water

Nachos Assembly

01 10 oz sturdy tortilla chips
02 2 cups shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
03 1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
04 1 medium tomato, diced
05 ½ cup pickled jalapeño slices
06 ½ cup sliced black olives (optional)
07 ½ cup sour cream
08 ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
09 1 medium avocado, diced (optional)
10 2 green onions, sliced

Preparation Steps

Stage 01

Prepare oven and pan: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper or foil.

Stage 02

Cook ground beef: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the ground beef, breaking it apart, for about 5 minutes.

Stage 03

Sauté aromatics: Add diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until softened.

Stage 04

Season and simmer beef: Incorporate chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Add water, then simmer until most liquid evaporates, about 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat.

Stage 05

Arrange chips on pan: Spread tortilla chips evenly across the prepared sheet pan.

Stage 06

Add beef and toppings: Spoon the seasoned beef evenly over the chips; then sprinkle black beans and cheese on top.

Stage 07

Bake nachos: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 8 to 10 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbling.

Stage 08

Garnish and serve: Remove from oven. Immediately top with diced tomato, jalapeños, olives, green onions, cilantro, and avocado if using. Drizzle with sour cream or serve on the side. Serve hot.

Necessary tools

  • Large sheet pan
  • Skillet
  • Chef's knife
  • Cutting board
  • Wooden spoon or spatula

Allergy details

Review all ingredients for potential allergens and consult with healthcare professionals if you're unsure about any item.
  • Contains dairy from cheese and sour cream
  • May contain gluten if wheat-based chips are used
  • Contains avocado, black beans (legumes)

Nutritional content (each portion)

These values are provided as estimates only and shouldn't replace professional medical guidance.
  • Energy: 465
  • Fats: 27 g
  • Carbohydrates: 35 g
  • Proteins: 22 g