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Best Loaded Nacho Bar Perfect for Tailgating

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A customizable loaded nacho bar with seasoned beef, smooth cheese sauce, and all the toppings, perfect for tailgating and game-day gatherings. This easy setup keeps chips crunchy and everyone happy.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds ground beef (80/20 works best)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • ½ cup beef broth or water
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1½ cups whole milk
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (freshly shredded)
  • ½ cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 large bag (16–18 ounces) restaurant-style tortilla chips
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 cup pico de gallo or fresh salsa
  • 1 cup guacamole
  • ½ cup pickled jalapeños
  • 1 cup shredded lettuce
  • ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 2 Roma tomatoes, diced
  • 1 avocado, diced (tossed with lime juice)
  • ½ cup sliced black olives
  • ¼ cup sliced green onions
  • Hot sauce of choice

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened.
  2. Add ground beef and cook for 6-8 minutes, breaking it apart, until browned. Drain excess fat, leaving about 1 tablespoon.
  3. Add minced garlic, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Add black beans and beef broth. Simmer for 5-7 minutes until liquid mostly evaporates and mixture is thick. Keep warm.
  5. In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute.
  6. Slowly pour in milk while whisking continuously. Cook until thickened, about 3-4 minutes.
  7. Reduce heat to low. Add shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese one handful at a time, whisking until melted.
  8. Stir in cayenne and salt. Keep warm over low heat or transfer to a slow cooker.
  9. Prep all toppings: dice tomatoes, chop cilantro, slice green onions, dice avocado (toss with lime juice). Place each in small bowls.
  10. Spread tortilla chips on a sheet pan. Top with warm seasoned beef and drizzle with cheese sauce.
  11. Set up the nacho bar: place sheet pan in center, surround with topping bowls, and provide paper boats or plates.
  12. Let people build their own plates with desired toppings.

Notes

Shred your own cheese for smooth sauce. Keep chips separate until serving to avoid sogginess. Use a slow cooker to keep cheese sauce warm. Season beef generously. Add lime wedges for brightness.

Nutrition

Keywords: loaded nacho bar, tailgate nachos, game day nachos, nacho bar recipe, easy nachos, crowd-pleasing nachos

Find it online: https://spoonmira.com/best-loaded-nacho-bar-perfect-for-tailgating/