How to Make the Best Nachos
Hearty Nachos Can Be Made With Vegetarian or Regular Ground Beef
Jul 2, 2008
Are you looking for a great nacho recipe for vegetarians or meat eaters that has more flavor and substance than the simplistic melted American cheese nacho recipe? This deluxe nacho recipe has everything you would want on a great plate of nachos.
Nachos can be made very easily with a few staple ingredients of tortilla chips, shredded cheese, and refried beans.
Nachos are great for football games served with beer, or as party side dish. For a great Fourth of July party side dish use red, white and blue tortilla chips.
This nacho dish can easily be adapted to smaller amounts of leftover ground beef, refried beans and cheese. If you are using a smaller amount of ground beef, do not use an entire packet of taco seasoning. For instance, one half pound of ground beef would require one half packet of taco seasoning. You will also have to adjust the water ratio according to directions on the taco seasoning packet.
This nacho recipe can be tailored to fit meat eater or vegetarian nutritional needs. This dish serves approximately 8-10 people with 1 cup servings per person.
The Best Nacho Recipe
Ingredients:
- One pound ground chuck or hamburger (or equvialent amount of vegetarian ground beef)
- One package dried taco seasoning mix (McCormick brand has a variety which uses 30 percent less sodium than their original mix)
- One can refried beans (regular or vegetarian)
- One bag of tortilla chips
- 2 cups chopped iceberg lettuce
- Spray cooking oil (canola is best)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Optional:
- Fresh or canned salsa as a side or topping
- Easy Guacamole as a side or topping
- Sour Cream as a side or topping
- Small can (8 oz) of sliced olives as a topping
- Chopped tomatoes as a topping. Any type of tomatoes you have on hand are fine.
- Chopped red, white, or yellow onions as a topping.
- Small can (8 oz of chopped green chilies)
- For those who like it hot - small can (8 oz of chopped jalapeno peppers)
Recipe Directions:
- Brown ground beef in a frying pan. If you are using vegetarian ground beef, add a tablespoon or two of canola oil to the pan.
- Heat oven to 400 degrees fahrenheit.
- Fry ground beef or vegetarian ground beef until brown. Add taco seasoning mix according to directions.
- While the meat is cooking, chop the lettuce (and other optional sides) and cook refried beans in a microwave oven, or in a pot on top of the stove, until the consistency is smooth and easy to stir.
- Spray a cookie sheet with canola oil.
- Add an even layer of tortilla chips to the cookie sheet.
- Add a layer of cheese, hamburger, and refried beans. Repeat.
- Place nachos in oven for approximately 15 minutes. Nachos are done when the cheese is thoroughly melted.
Serve nachos on individual plates with a spatula. Top with lettuce and optional ingredients.
Enjoy!
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