Sheet Pan Nachos

Get ready for the ultimate game day hero – these loaded sheet pan nachos are about to become your new entertaining superstar! Imagine layers of crispy tortilla chips smothered in melty cheese, seasoned beef, and all your favorite toppings, ready in just 25 minutes.

What makes these nachos special is the double-layer technique that ensures every chip gets its fair share of toppings. No more sad, naked chips at the bottom of the pile! The perfectly seasoned beef and strategic layering method means you’ll get that satisfying pull of cheese and loaded toppings in every single bite.

Ingredients

For the Meat Layer:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• ¼ teaspoon dried oregano

For Assembly:

• 10 ounces tortilla chips, divided
• 4 cups Mexican-blend shredded cheese, divided
• 1 cup cooked black beans, divided
• 1 cup cooked yellow corn, divided

Optional Toppings:

• Diced roma tomatoes
• Pickled jalapeños
• Sour cream or Mexican crema
• Diced red onions
• Chopped cilantro

Steps

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper – this prevents sticking and makes cleanup easier.
2. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the ground beef and seasonings. Pro tip: Adding all seasonings at once allows them to bloom in the hot oil, intensifying their flavors.
3. Break up meat into small, even chunks with a wooden spoon. Cook for 6-8 minutes until beef is well-browned with no pink remaining. The meat should be crumbly and have a deep brown color.
4. Create the first layer: Arrange half the chips in an even layer on the baking sheet, leaving minimal overlap. This ensures maximum crispiness. Top with half portions of beef, cheese, beans, and corn.
5. Build the second layer with remaining ingredients in the same order. Don’t press down – keeping it loose allows heat to circulate.
6. Bake for 4-6 minutes until cheese is completely melted and bubbly. Watch carefully after 4 minutes to prevent burning.
7. Remove from oven when cheese is melted but before chips start to brown. Add desired toppings and serve immediately while cheese is hot and stretchy.

Smart Swaps

• Use ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter version
• Try baked tortilla chips to reduce fat content
• Substitute dairy-free cheese (use 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast for extra flavor)

Make It Diabetes-Friendly

• Use low-carb tortilla chips (saves 15g carbs per serving)
• Replace half the chips with bell pepper slices
• Choose black soybeans instead of black beans (only 3g net carbs per ½ cup)
• Limit portion size to 1 cup per serving

Pro Tips

• Shred your own cheese – pre-shredded contains anti-caking agents that prevent proper melting
• Keep chips at the edges slightly overlapped to prevent burning
• Let meat cool slightly before layering to prevent chips from becoming soggy