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A platter of tortilla chips covered in melted cheese, ground beef, and jalapeños.

Loaded nachos

Prep 15 min Cook 20 min Total 35 min Servings 6

By Lukasz Jagiello

Published Oct 12, 2026 · Updated Oct 12, 2026

Photo: Mack Male, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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About this recipe

I only post recipes that I have tried and verified and are good to my taste — all taste may vary.

Bake the chips in a thin layer and add the cheese only for the last few minutes. A deep pile steams the chips before the cheese melts.

Ingredients

Method

  1. 01

    Heat the oven to 400°F. Cook the onion and beef in a skillet until the beef is browned. Drain the fat. Stir in the chili powder, cumin, and salt and cook 1 minute.

  2. 02

    Spread the chips on a sheet pan in a loose single layer. Spoon the beef over them.

  3. 03

    Bake 8 minutes. Scatter the cheddar and jalapeños on top and bake 4 to 6 minutes more, until the cheese is melted and the chips at the edge are still crisp.

  4. 04

    Add the salsa and sour cream after the pan comes out, so they stay cold. Serve at once.

Notes & swaps

  • Totchos are the same idea on tater tots. These are the chip nachos.
  • For a meatless tray, use a can of drained black beans in place of the beef.

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