Description
Ground beef seasoned with taco spices is layered over tortilla chips with shredded cheese and baked until melted, then topped with fresh vegetables.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
- 1/4 cup (25 g) taco seasoning
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) water
- 1 large bag (about 13 oz or 370 g) tortilla chips
- 16 oz (450 g) shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 cup (200 g) pico de gallo
- 1 fresh jalapeno, seeded and sliced
- 1/4 cup (25 g) chopped green onions
- Sour cream, red onion, and fresh cilantro for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place a large skillet over medium heat and add the ground beef. Cook the meat until it is browned and reaches a safe internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) on a meat thermometer. Drain and discard the excess fat.
- Add the taco seasoning and water to the browned beef. Stir well to coat the meat evenly.
- Let the mixture simmer for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the liquid reduces and thickens. Remove the skillet from the heat.
- Spread the tortilla chips in an even layer across a large baking sheet.
- Spoon the seasoned ground beef evenly over the chips. Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly across the top of the meat and chips.
- Bake for 5 to 8 minutes, watching closely until the cheese melts completely.
- Remove the pan from the oven. Scatter the pico de gallo, sliced jalapeno, and green onions over the hot cheese.
- Serve right away with sour cream, red onion, and cilantro if desired.
Notes
- Ground beef needs to be cooked to a safe internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) to prevent foodborne illness.
- Shredding cheese from a block melts smoother than using pre-shredded bagged cheese, which contains anti-caking agents.
- If you prefer a milder dish, omit the fresh jalapeno or swap it for mild canned green chiles.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex