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Ultimate Loaded Game Day Nacho Bar with Ground Beef

game day nacho bar - featured image
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A customizable nacho bar with seasoned ground beef, creamy cheese sauce, and all your favorite toppings. Perfect for game day, movie night, or any crowd-pleasing gathering.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 is best)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 cup beef broth
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup whole milk, warm
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • Salt to taste
  • 1 large bag (13–16 oz) restaurant-style tortilla chips
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup shredded lettuce
  • 1/2 cup sliced black olives
  • 1/2 cup pickled jalapeños
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup salsa
  • 1 avocado, diced
  • Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish
  • Lime wedges, for squeezing

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, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook for 6-8 minutes until browned. Drain excess fat, leaving about 1 tablespoon.
  3. Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Pour in beef broth, scraping up browned bits. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until liquid reduces slightly. Transfer to a bowl or slow cooker set to warm.
  5. In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
  6. Slowly pour in warm milk, whisking continuously. Cook for 2-3 minutes until thickened.
  7. Reduce heat to low. Add shredded cheddar cheese a handful at a time, stirring until melted and smooth. Stir in cayenne (if using) and salt. Keep warm.
  8. While beef and cheese cook, prep toppings: drain and rinse black beans, dice tomatoes, shred lettuce, slice olives. Set out in small bowls.
  9. Cut avocado just before serving and squeeze lime juice over it to prevent browning.
  10. Spread a single layer of tortilla chips on a large serving platter or sheet pan. Spoon half the beef over chips, then drizzle with half the cheese sauce.
  11. Add a second layer of chips, then top with remaining beef and cheese sauce.
  12. Let people build their own plates from the topping bowls.

Notes

For gluten-free version, use a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water) instead of flour roux. For dairy-free, use plant-based butter, milk, and vegan cheddar. Shred your own cheese for smooth sauce. Layer chips to keep them crispy.

Nutrition

Keywords: nachos, game day, ground beef, cheese sauce, party food, loaded nachos, nacho bar

Find it online: https://cookluma.com/ultimate-loaded-game-day-nacho-bar-with-ground-beef/