How to Boil Water: Loaded Nachos

It seems like forever since I have done one of these but I felt like it was time because this meal is seriously delicious. It's super easy and super good. I highly recommended this one.

Dinner Brought To You By: The Pioneer Woman - Ree Drummond

Here's What You Need:
1 tbsp olive oil
1 whole yellow onion, diced
2 lbs ground beef
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1 can (14.5 oz) Ranch Style Beans (or Pinto Beans or Chili Beans)
1/2 cup hot water
Tortilla chips
1 1/2 cup grated Cheddar cheese
1 1/2 cup Monterey Jack cheese
6 whole Roma Tomatoes, diced
1 whole jalapeno, diced finely
1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped
juice of 1 lime
1/2 tsp salt
1 whole avocado (pitted and diced)
sour cream (optional)

Here's What You Do:
In a skillet over medium-high heat, add the olive oil and half the onion. Cook it until starting to soften, then add the ground beef. Cook the meat until it's totally browned, then drain the fat. Add the chili powder, paprika, cumin, crushed red pepper, salt and pepper and stir to combine. Add the beans and hot water and stir. Reduce the heat to low and simmer while you prepare the other ingredients.

To make the pico de gallo, combine the other half of the onion with the tomato, jalapeno, cilantro, lime juice and 1/2 tsp salt. Stir it together and set aside.

To build the nachos, place a layer of tortilla chips on a platter or plate. Top with layer of the beef/bean mixture, then all but 1/4 cup of the cheddar cheese. Add another layer of chips, another layer of beef/bean mixture, and the Monterey Jack cheese. Add a final small layer of chips then a small layer of beef and beans, then a final sprinkling of cheddar.

Microwave in 45 second increments until the cheese if melted and bubbly. (You may also place the platter into a 325° oven if it's heatproof. Just leave it in until the cheese is melted.)

Immediately sprinkle on the diced avocado and plenty of pico de gallo.

Optional: Add dollops of sour cream here and there!

Serve immediately!

We love these nachos. I do some modifications however. I only use about a 1 1/2 lb of meet instead of all 2 pounds. I also don't do all the layers. I make individual plates and usually only do one layer chips and just pile it on. There is always so much so I don't do all the layers. I have actually done it both ways and both are delicious but one is just a heck of a lot of food!

This has become one of our favorites without a doubt. This is one you want to try especially if you love nachos!

Comment below: Are you a fan of nachos? What is your favorite way to make them?

xo, B