Loaded Beef Nacho Bake
Loaded beef nacho bake turns taco night into a scoopable casserole with crushed chips, seasoned beef, queso-style cheese, and beans. Bake until bubbling for a Mexican-inspired USA comfort dinner — beef cooked to 160°F first.
🛒Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning + 2/3 cup water
- 1 (15-ounce) can refried beans
- 1 cup salsa
- 4 cups lightly crushed tortilla chips
- 2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese
- 1/2 cup sliced jalapeños optional
- 1/2 cup sliced black olives optional
- Toppings: shredded lettuce, tomato, sour cream, green onion
🔧Kitchen Tools Needed
- 9×13 baking dish
- Skillet
- Spatula
- Instant-read thermometer
📝Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9×13-inch dish.
- 2
Brown beef to 160°F; drain. Add seasoning and water; simmer until thick. Stir in salsa.
- 3
Spread refried beans in the dish. Top with half the chips, all the beef, remaining chips, cheese, jalapeños, and olives.
- 4
Bake 15–18 minutes until cheese melts and the bake is hot throughout.
- 5
Add cool toppings. Serve with a spatula. Refrigerate within 2 hours up to 3 days; reheat portions to 165°F.
🥗Nutrition Information
⚡Calories per serving: 580
🏷️Recipe Tags
❓Frequently Asked Questions
Chips get soggy?
Use sturdy chips and bake soon after assembling; serve right away.
Queso on top?
Warm jarred queso and drizzle after baking for extra cheese pull.
Turkey or chicken?
Ground turkey or shredded chicken to 165°F works the same way.
Feeding kids?
Skip jalapeños in the bake; offer hot sauce on the side.
