Name: Best Sheet Pan Nachos Recipe with Ground Beef (Oven Baked)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 tbsp chili powder; 1 tsp cumin; 1 tsp smoked paprika; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp onion powder; 1/2 tsp oregano; ½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for heat); ½ tsp salt; 1 lb lean ground beef – or ground turkey for a lighter option; 1 small white onion, diced; 2–3 tsp homemade Mexican spice blend, hold back 1 tsp for cheese sauce; Cheese Sauce; 2 x 8 oz blocks shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a mix); 2 tbsp butter; 2 tbsp flour; 1 cup milk (adjust for desired consistency. Use more for a looser texture); 1 tsp reserved Mexican spice blend; Salt to taste; Toppings; Your favorite Tortilla Chips; 1 small red onion, finely diced; 1–2 jalapeños, finely diced, seeds optional for spice control; 1 cup diced tomatoes, drained; 2.5 oz sliced Black olives, optional; Sour cream, for serving; Guacamole or sliced avocado, for serving

Description

These sheet pan nachos are the ultimate easy nachos recipe. Crispy chips, seasoned ground beef, rich homemade cheese sauce, and fresh toppings make this oven-baked nachos recipe perfect for game day, weeknight dinners, or family gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

Mexican Spice Mix

1 tbsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp oregano
½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)

½ tsp salt

Meat Mixture

1 lb lean ground beef – or ground turkey for a lighter option
1 small white onion, diced

2–3 tsp homemade Mexican spice blend, hold back 1 tsp for cheese sauce
Cheese Sauce
2 x 8 oz blocks shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a mix)
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp flour
1 cup milk (adjust for desired consistency. Use more for a looser texture)
1 tsp reserved Mexican spice blend
Salt to taste
Toppings
Your favorite Tortilla Chips
1 small red onion, finely diced
1–2 jalapeños, finely diced, seeds optional for spice control
1 cup diced tomatoes, drained
2.5 oz sliced Black olives, optional
Sour cream, for serving
Guacamole or sliced avocado, for serving

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Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Meat Mixture

Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
Add ground beef and cook, breaking it apart, until browned. Drain excess grease.
Stir in diced white onion and cook 3–4 minutes until softened.
Add 2–3 tsp homemade Mexican spice blend, holding back 1 tsp for cheese sauce. Stir well. Remove from heat.

Step 2: Make the Cheese Sauce

Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
Whisk in flour and cook 1–2 minutes to form a roux.
Add the reserved 1 tsp Mexican spice blend and toast briefly.
Slowly whisk in milk until thickened and smooth.
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the shredded cheese until melted.
Season with salt and taste to adjust flavor.

Step 3: Prep the Toppings

Dice red onion and jalapeños finely. Remove jalapeño seeds for less heat.
Drain diced tomatoes well.

Step 4: Assemble and Bake
1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Spread chips evenly on a sheet pan.
3. Spoon seasoned meat over chips and drizzle with cheese sauce.
4. Bake 8–10 minutes until heated through.
5. Add prepared toppings and serve immediately.

Notes

Taste the cheese sauce before assembling — it’s a key flavor element.
Avoid soggy nachos by draining juicy ingredients well and layering strategically.
Jalapeño seeds control spice level — leave in for heat, remove for mild.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Appetizer, Main Course/ Dinner, Main Dish, Snack
Method: Baked
Cuisine: American, Tex-Mex

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 375 kcal
Sugar: 3 g
Sodium: 480 mg
Fat: 21 g
Saturated Fat: 12 g
Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 32 g
Fiber: 4 g
Protein: 20 g
Cholesterol: 60 mg