In our family, the New Year’s Junk Food Banquet is a tradition.
We get together to eat all the things we haven’t touched all year. Potato chips. Candy. Ooey gooey stuff. Sweet stuff. Rich and buttery stuff. Little bitty pieces. But an indulgence none the less. We play all the loud and noisy games that inspire intense dispute across tables. Not an evening for the faint of heart. We are sending out the Olde Year with all the foregone calories, carbs, and cola from the previous 365 days.
Loaded Nachos come on the scene as midnight nears and we start to head back to normal, ready for the New Year. Healthy protein and veggies, topped with cheese. A good way to start the next year!
PrintLoaded Sheet Pan Nachos
- Prep Time: Prep time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: Cook time: 10-15 minutes
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: Serves: 4-6
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Pico de Gallo Ingredients:
1–pint cherry or grape tomatoes, chopped
1 large clove garlic, finely chopped
1/4 medium red onion, finely chopped
2 T. fresh lime juice
2 T. fresh cilantro leaves, finely chopped
Sea salt, to taste
Taco Seasoning Ingredients, if you’d like to make your own:
1 T. ground chili powder
2 t. ground cumin
1 t. ground coriander
1 t. garlic powder
1/2 t. smoked paprika
1/4 t. chipotle powder
1/2 t. black pepper
3/4 t. sea salt
Remaining Ingredients:
1 T. extra virgin olive oil
3/4 medium red onion, finely chopped
2–3 large cloves garlic, finely minced
Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
1 1/4 lbs. ground beef
1 large bag (11–14 oz.) tortilla chips
1 8–oz. bag 4-cheese Mexican blend, finely shredded
2 large green onions, green parts only, sliced thin
1 6–oz. can black olives, chopped
1 large jalapeño pepper, sliced thin
To Serve:
1 large ripe avocado, seeded and chopped
2 T. fresh lemon juice
2 T. fresh cilantro, finely chopped
Instructions
- To prepare the Pico de Gallo, combine the tomatoes, garlic, one-quarter of the chopped red onion, cilantro, and lime juice in a medium non-reactive bowl. Season generously with sea salt and stir to combine. Cover and set aside.
- Place the top oven rack in the center position and pre-heat oven to 350°F. Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat™ baking mat and set aside.
- Combine the taco seasoning ingredients in a small bowl and stir to combine. Set aside.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the remaining three-quarters chopped red onion and minced garlic. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste, and stir to combine. Sauté, stirring occasionally, until the onion is soft and starts to develop a bit of color, approximately 5 minutes.
- Add the beef and break up into small pieces with a spatula. Add 2 tablespoons of the taco seasoning mixture and stir to combine. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef is browned. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Spread the tortilla chips into an even, overlapping layer on the prepared baking sheet. Using a slotted spoon, evenly distribute the seasoned, browned beef on top of the tortilla chips.
- Add the cheese on top of the beef and nachos in an even layer and place in the pre-heated oven for 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted.
- Remove baking sheet from oven and cool slightly before topping with sliced green onion, chopped black olives, Pico de Gallo, and sliced jalapeño pepper.
- Toss the avocado with the fresh lemon juice and spoon on top of the nachos. Sprinkle with the fresh cilantro and serve immediately. Enjoy!
Notes
White onion is a more traditional choice to add flavor to the browned ground beef. However, in this case, the rest of the red onion used to prepare the Pico de Gallo is used instead. This lends a very subtle, yet distinct, sweet note to the garlic and savory taco seasoning.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6oz
- Calories: 515
- Sugar: 4.1 g
- Sodium: 2412.5 mg
- Fat: 29.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 19.7 g
- Protein: 45 g
- Cholesterol: 100.5 mg
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Welcome! I’m Charlene. I love to share quick and easy recipes, whatever I’ve learned in our last DIY project – anything that helps make life easier, better and more fun!! I hope you will find inspiration and add a pinch of joy to your day!
Estelle Forrest says
I love how colorful and fully loaded this nacho tray is! Thanks for popping by the last SSPS of 2024. I hope you will join us again in 2025, as I will be featuring your post!
Scott Laube says
Thanks for sharing with us – I’m featuring you this week when the next To Grandma’s house we go link party starts. Hope you have a wonderful holiday!