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Best Loaded Football Nacho Casserole Recipe

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This loaded football nacho casserole takes everything you love about classic nachos and turns it into something you can actually serve at a party without the chips getting soggy in the first five minutes. It’s a game-changer for game day.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 blend)
  • 1 large bag tortilla chips (about 10 ounces)
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (sharp or medium)
  • 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 1 can black beans (drained and rinsed)
  • 1 can diced tomatoes with green chiles (10 ounces, undrained)
  • 1 medium yellow onion (diced)
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Sour cream (for serving)
  • Fresh cilantro (a handful, chopped)
  • 1 jalapeño (sliced, optional)
  • 3 green onions (sliced)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). While it’s heating up, spread half the tortilla chips on a baking sheet and toast them for 5 minutes.
  2. Brown the beef. Heat your skillet over medium-high heat and add the ground beef. Break it up with a spatula as it cooks, about 6-8 minutes. Drain off excess fat, leaving about a tablespoon in the pan.
  3. Cook the aromatics. Reduce heat to medium and add diced onion. Cook for 3-4 minutes until soft, then add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
  4. Add the seasonings. Sprinkle in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir and cook for about 1 minute.
  5. Add the tomatoes and beans. Pour in the can of diced tomatoes with green chiles (undrained) and the drained black beans. Stir and let simmer for 5 minutes until slightly thickened.
  6. Layer the casserole. Spread half of the untoasted tortilla chips in an even layer at the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Spoon half of the beef mixture over the chips. Sprinkle half of the cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese on top. Repeat layers with remaining chips, beef, and cheese.
  7. Top with the toasted chips. Scatter the toasted chips over the top layer of cheese.
  8. Bake. Place casserole in the oven and bake for 15-18 minutes, until cheese is fully melted and bubbly. Optionally, broil for the last 2 minutes for color.
  9. Rest and serve. Let casserole sit for 5 minutes before cutting. Top with sour cream, fresh cilantro, sliced jalapeños, and green onions.

Notes

Toasting half the chips before layering helps keep them crunchy. Shred your own cheese for better melting. Drain beef well to avoid soggy chips. Can be assembled ahead and refrigerated unbaked for up to 24 hours.

Nutrition

Keywords: nachos, casserole, game day, football, ground beef, cheese, easy, quick

Find it online: https://jollyfork.com/best-loaded-football-nacho-casserole-recipe/