Cheesy Nacho Casserole (Printable)
Gooey Tex-Mex bake of seasoned beef, tortilla chips, black beans and melted cheddar — easy, shareable comfort.
# What You'll 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 and 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 Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F.
02 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and chopped onion; cook until beef is browned and onion is tender, about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain excess fat.
03 - Add minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 1 minute. Stir in taco seasoning, rinsed black beans, undrained diced tomatoes with green chilies, and frozen corn if using. Simmer for 3 to 4 minutes to combine flavors. Season with salt and black pepper.
04 - Layer half of the tortilla chips in a 9x13-inch baking dish. Evenly spread half of the meat mixture over the chips. Sprinkle with half of the cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses. Repeat the layering with remaining chips, meat, and cheeses.
05 - Bake uncovered for 20 minutes, until the cheese is bubbling and golden.
06 - Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Top with sour cream, olives, green onions, chopped cilantro, and jalapeños if desired. Serve immediately.
# Expert Pointers:
01 -
- Your secret shortcut: this casserole lets you skip endless chip layering but keeps all the best crunchy, cheesy bites.
- It wins over picky eaters and spice lovers alike, with plenty of ways to customize the heat or toppings.
02 -
- If you bake covered, the chips completely lose their crunch—uncover for the best texture.
- I once skipped draining the beans and tomatoes and ended up with a runny base, so always let extra liquid drain off.
03 -
- Browning the meat in two batches helps it caramelize instead of steam.
- Shredding your own cheese makes it melt smoother and avoids that weird powdery taste bagged cheese can have.