Go Back

Sheet Pan Nachos

These sheet pan nachos with savory chili beef, sour cream, melted cheese, salsa, and pickled jalapeños are simple to make and perfect for game day or any get-together.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course lunch/dinner
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 10 people
Calories 4904.4 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Sheet Pan Standard half-sheet size is ideal
  • 1 Large Skillet For browning ground beef
  • 1 Spatula or wooden spoon For cooking and stirring
  • 1 Aluminum Foil For lining the sheet pan
  • 1 Oven Mitts For safe handling of hot pan

Ingredients
  

Main

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • ¼ cup water
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
  • salt and ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 14.5 ounce package tortilla chips
  • 1 12 ounce jar pickled jalapeno pepper slices (Optional)
  • 1 4 ounce can sliced black olives
  • 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
  • 1 8 ounce container sour cream
  • 1 cup salsa

Instructions
 

  • Gather all ingredients. Set an oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven's broiler. Line a sheet pan with aluminum foil. Allrecipes / Qi Ai
  • Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir ground beef in the hot skillet until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Mix in water, chili powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper until incorporated. Allrecipes / Qi Ai
  • Lay out tortilla chips on the prepared sheet pan. Top with ground beef mixture. Allrecipes / Qi Ai
  • Cover with jalapeño slices and olives. Sprinkle with Cheddar cheese. Allrecipes / Qi Ai
  • Cook under the preheated broiler until cheese is bubbly and golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Serve with sour cream and salsa for dipping. Allrecipes / Qi Ai

Notes

For superior flavor, ensure your ground beef is well-browned and any excess fat is thoroughly drained before adding seasonings; this creates a richer base. To prevent soggy nachos, avoid overcrowding the sheet pan, allowing for even heat distribution and crisping. Consider lightly toasting the tortilla chips in the oven for a few minutes before adding toppings. When broiling, monitor vigilantly as cheese can go from perfectly melted to burnt very quickly. For enhanced presentation and a fresh finish, garnish generously with fresh cilantro, diced red onion, or a dollop of fresh guacamole after broiling. A squeeze of fresh lime juice over the finished nachos will brighten the entire dish.