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Crispy Sheet Pan Loaded Nachos with Jalapeño Cheese Sauce

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A quick and easy recipe for crispy sheet pan loaded nachos topped with a creamy, spicy jalapeño cheese sauce and fresh toppings. Perfect for game day or casual gatherings, this dish balances crunchy chips with bold flavors.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1012 cups (about 10.5 oz / 300 g) sturdy tortilla chips, slightly salted
  • 1 lb (450 g) ground beef or turkey
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1 cup (6 oz / 170 g) drained and rinsed black beans
  • Jalapeño Cheese Sauce:
  • 3 tbsp (42 g) unsalted butter
  • 3 tbsp (24 g) all-purpose flour (or cornstarch/gluten-free flour for GF)
  • 2 cups (16 fl oz / 480 ml) whole or 2% milk (or dairy-free milk for vegan)
  • 1 cup (4 oz / 100 g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup (4 oz / 100 g) Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
  • 1 small fresh jalapeño, finely chopped (seeds removed for less heat)
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
  • Salt to taste
  • Fresh toppings:
  • 1 cup diced tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup sliced black olives
  • 1/2 cup sliced green onions
  • Pickled jalapeños, for topping
  • Fresh cilantro, for topping
  • Sour cream, for dolloping (optional)
  • Sliced avocado or guacamole, for topping (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large rimmed sheet pan (about 18×13 inches) with parchment paper for easier cleanup.
  2. In a skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef or turkey with chili powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Break up the meat as it cooks. Cook for 6-8 minutes until no longer pink, then drain excess fat and set aside.
  3. Make the jalapeño cheese sauce: In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until bubbling but not browned.
  4. Gradually whisk in milk, stirring constantly until thickened, about 4-5 minutes.
  5. Stir in shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, finely chopped jalapeño, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and salt to taste. Keep warm on low heat.
  6. Spread tortilla chips evenly on the prepared sheet pan.
  7. Evenly distribute cooked ground meat and black beans over the chips.
  8. Pour the jalapeño cheese sauce generously over the chips and toppings, coating well but not drowning them.
  9. Scatter diced tomatoes, sliced black olives, and green onions evenly over the pan.
  10. Bake for 8-10 minutes until the cheese sauce is bubbly and the edges of the chips start to crisp more. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
  11. Remove from oven and top with pickled jalapeños, fresh cilantro, dollops of sour cream, and sliced avocado or guacamole as desired.
  12. Serve immediately while warm and enjoy the crunchy, creamy layers.

Notes

Use sturdy, thick-cut tortilla chips to prevent sogginess. Toast chips for 3-4 minutes before assembling for extra crispiness. Pour cheese sauce last and bake just until bubbly to maintain chip crunch. Jalapeño seeds can be removed to reduce heat. Sauce can be made up to 2 days ahead and reheated with a splash of milk. For gluten-free, substitute flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour. For dairy-free, use vegan cheese and plant-based milk.

Nutrition

Keywords: nachos, sheet pan nachos, jalapeño cheese sauce, loaded nachos, game day snacks, easy nachos, crispy chips, crowd-pleaser