Simple Beef Nachos Recipe with Pico de Gallo
Recipe development and and food photography by Mitzi de Maa RD, LDN
Post created by Isabel Vasquez RD, LDN
For those nights you want something that’s both comforting and easy to make, these simple beef nachos with pico de gallo are perfect.
Despite some people thinking nachos are “unhealthy”, these make for a well-rounded meal full of protein, carbs, fat, and fiber. They’re a delicious dinner that’s sure to please your whole family.
You can also easily assemble them (or a similar version of beef nachos) for lunch using leftover ground beef.
First off, you’ll sautée chopped onions in a skillet over medium heat using olive oil. Add ground beef once the onions are translucent.
You can opt for lean ground beef and reduced sodium taco seasoning if you have heart issues and would like to be mindful of saturated fat and sodium.
The recipe will still have loads of flavor if you use these ingredients.
Next, prep the tortilla chips and cheese for the oven.
Simply fill a baking sheet or oven-safe dish with tortilla chips and sprinkle shredded cheese on top. We suggest a Mexican blend or cheddar cheese.
You can shred it yourself, of course, but for convenience sake we like pre-shredded cheese.
We used round tortilla chips, but any shape or color works great!
Once your oven is heated to 350°F, insert the tray of chips and cheese and bake it until the cheese is melted and bubbly (about 5-10 minutes). The edges of the chips may get a little browned, and that’s okay, but be sure not the burn the cheese.
Once the cheese is melted, add the ground beef and any toppings you want!
We recommend refried beans, sour cream, jalapeños, guacamole, salsa, and a fresh pico de gallo salad (recipe details below). Buen provecho!
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Simple Beef Nachos Recipe with Pico de Gallo
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- Taco seasoning to taste
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 bag (about 10-12 ounces) of tortilla chips
- 2 cups shredded cheese (preferably Mexican blend or cheddar cheese)
- 1 cup finely shredded cabbage
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 2 tomatoes, diced
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- Juice of 1-2 limes
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Refried beans
- Sour cream
- Guacamole
- Tomatillo salsa or red salsa
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F
- In a skillet over medium heat, add olive oil. Once hot, add chopped onions and sauté until onions are translucent.
- Add ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spatula as it cooks.
- Drain excess fat if necessary, then stir in the taco seasoning. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- On a large baking sheet or oven-safe dish, spread out a layer of tortilla chips.
- Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly on top
- Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven for about 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly
- Remove from the oven and add cooked beef mixture over the chips and your desired toppings
- While the nachos are in the oven, in a mixing bowl, combine the shredded cabbage, diced cucumber, diced tomatoes, and chopped cilantro.
- Squeeze the juice of one lime over the mixture and toss gently to combine.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
The taco seasoning does contain salt, so keep that in mind before you add more salt, especially if you have high blood pressure and are trying to be mindful of your sodium intake.
The pico de gallo salad makes a great addition to these nachos because it adds more color and a crisp texture. Plus, it's packed with fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants to promote your health and nutritionally complement this delicious meal.
Even though people may not think of nachos as "healthy", this recipe is very well-rounded nutritionally.
It's a good source of high-quality protein thanks to the ground beef and cheese. If you're trying to reduce your saturated fat consumption (say, because you have high cholesterol), you can opt for lean ground beef or reduced-fat cheese.
The tortilla chips provide carbohydrates and fiber, and the pico de gallo salad adds more fiber. If you choose to add refried beans or guacamole, you'll get even more fiber in this meal, which supports heart, digestive, and gut health.
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