Cheesy Nacho Casserole (Printable version)
Layered casserole of seasoned beef, tortilla chips, black beans and gooey cheddar, finished with cilantro and jalapeños.
# Ingredient List:
→ 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, undrained
06 - 1 cup frozen corn, optional
→ Spices & Seasonings
07 - 1 packet (1 ounce) taco seasoning
08 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Dairy
09 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
10 - 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
11 - 1/2 cup sour cream, optional, for topping
→ 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
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat the oven to 375°F.
02 - In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add ground beef and chopped onion. Cook, breaking the meat apart with a spoon, until beef is browned and onion is tender, about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
03 - Add minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 1 minute. Stir in taco seasoning, black beans, diced tomatoes with green chilies, and frozen corn if using. Simmer for 3 to 4 minutes to blend the flavors. Season with salt and black pepper as needed.
04 - In a 9x13-inch baking dish, arrange half of the crushed tortilla chips in an even layer. Spread half of the meat mixture over the chips, then top with half of the cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses. Repeat the layers with remaining chips, meat mixture, and cheese.
05 - Place the dish uncovered in the oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbling, and golden brown.
06 - Remove from the oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with dollops of sour cream, sliced black olives, green onions, chopped cilantro, and sliced jalapeños as desired. Serve immediately.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- This casserole is your secret weapon for solving weeknight hunger with plenty of leftovers for breakfast.
- The melty cheese and crunchy chips combination makes even picky eaters ask for seconds.
02 -
- If you don't drain the fat well, the bottom layer gets soggy and the chips lose their crunch fast.
- I stopped over-baking after learning that the cheese goes from golden to tough in a blink—twenty minutes really can be enough.
03 -
- Always taste the meat mixture before layering in case you want an extra hit of seasoning.
- The fresh toppings make leftovers feel brand new the next day.