Cheesy Nacho Casserole (Printable Version)
Baked layers of seasoned beef, black beans, chips and melted cheddar topped with sour cream, cilantro and jalapeños.
# What You Need:
→ 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, to taste
09 - Black pepper, to taste
→ Dairy
10 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
11 - 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
12 - 1/2 cup sour cream, optional, for topping
→ Chips
13 - 5 cups tortilla chips, lightly crushed
→ Toppings
14 - 1/2 cup sliced black olives, optional
15 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced
16 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
17 - Fresh jalapeños, sliced, optional
# How-To:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F.
02 - In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook ground beef with chopped onion, breaking the meat apart, until browned and onion is softened, about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain excess fat.
03 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add taco seasoning, black beans, diced tomatoes with green chilies, and frozen corn if using. Simmer for 3 to 4 minutes, allowing flavors to combine. Season with salt and black pepper as needed.
04 - Arrange half the tortilla chips in a 9x13-inch baking dish. Spoon half of the meat and vegetable mixture evenly over the chips, then sprinkle with half of each cheese. Repeat with remaining chips, meat mixture, and cheeses.
05 - Place the uncovered dish in the oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbling, and golden.
06 - Remove casserole from the oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes. Top with sour cream, sliced black olives, green onions, chopped cilantro, and jalapeños as desired. Serve immediately while hot.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- This is one of those sneaky dishes where nobody ever complains about leftovers—every scoop is packed with crunch and gooey cheese.
- You can prep it in under fifteen minutes and let the oven do the rest, making it perfect for busy weeknights or spontaneous gatherings.
02 -
- Don't layer the casserole too early; the chips will turn soggy if they sit out before baking.
- Letting the casserole rest for a few minutes after baking makes cutting and serving way cleaner—learned that after my first gloriously messy attempt!
03 -
- Line your baking dish with a light coat of oil or spray so nothing sticks and you get clean scoops.
- Always taste the beef mixture before you bake—adjust the salt or spice for the crowd you're serving.