Loaded Baseball Nachos Cheese (Printable version)

Crispy chips topped with spiced beef, melted cheese sauce, jalapeños, and fresh veggies for a flavorful snack.

# Ingredient List:

→ Tortilla Chips Base

01 - 12 ounces sturdy tortilla chips

→ Seasoned Beef

02 - 1 pound ground beef
03 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
04 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
05 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
06 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
07 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
08 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Cheese Sauce

11 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
12 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
13 - 1 cup whole milk
14 - 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
15 - 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
16 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
17 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

→ Fresh Toppings

18 - 1/2 cup pickled jalapeño slices
19 - 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
20 - 1/3 cup sliced scallions
21 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
22 - 1/2 cup sour cream

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
02 - In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon, approximately 5 to 6 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
03 - Stir in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Cook for an additional 2 minutes. Set aside.
04 - For the cheese sauce, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute until bubbling but not browned.
05 - Gradually whisk in milk until smooth. Bring to a simmer and cook until slightly thickened, approximately 2 to 3 minutes.
06 - Lower heat and add cheddar, Monterey Jack, cayenne pepper, and salt. Whisk until cheese is completely melted and sauce achieves a smooth consistency. Remove from heat.
07 - Spread tortilla chips evenly on a large oven-safe platter or baking sheet.
08 - Top chips with seasoned beef, then drizzle generously with cheese sauce.
09 - Scatter jalapeño slices, diced tomatoes, and scallions over the top.
10 - Transfer to the oven and bake for 5 to 7 minutes, until everything is hot and bubbly.
11 - Remove from oven. Garnish with chopped cilantro and dollops of sour cream. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • This comes together faster than ordering delivery, and tastes infinitely better because you control every layer.
  • It's the kind of dish that makes people forget they're at a casual gathering—suddenly everyone's gathered around one plate, fighting over the best chip.
  • The cheese sauce is so good you'll find yourself dipping vegetables into the leftovers the next day.
02 -
  • Don't let the cheese sauce sit off heat for more than a few minutes or it will thicken too much and become grainy—keep it warm and pourable right up until you drizzle it onto the chips.
  • The oven time is short and intentional; if you bake too long, the chips soften beyond the point of no return and the whole thing becomes a textural disappointment.
03 -
  • The beef benefits from a high-sided skillet where you can really let the spices bloom—a shallow pan won't develop the same depth of flavor.
  • If your cheese sauce breaks or separates, whisk in a tablespoon of milk and lower the heat; it usually comes back together.
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