# What You Need:
→ Nachos Base
01 - 12 oz sturdy tortilla chips
02 - 1 lb ground beef
03 - 1 tbsp olive oil
04 - 1 tsp chili powder
05 - 1/2 tsp ground cumin
06 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
07 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
08 - 1/2 tsp onion powder
09 - 1/2 tsp salt
10 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
→ Cheese Sauce
11 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
12 - 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
13 - 1 cup whole milk
14 - 1.5 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
15 - 0.5 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
16 - 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
17 - 1/4 tsp salt
→ Toppings
18 - 0.5 cup pickled jalapeño slices
19 - 0.75 cup diced tomatoes
20 - 1/3 cup sliced scallions
21 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
22 - 0.5 cup sour cream
# How To Make It:
01 - Set oven to 350°F and allow it to fully preheat.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook for 5-6 minutes, breaking it apart with a spoon, until fully browned. Drain excess fat if necessary.
03 - Stir chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper into the cooked beef. Cook for an additional 2 minutes until fragrant, then remove from heat and set aside.
04 - Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, until the mixture bubbles but does not brown.
05 - Gradually whisk milk into the roux until smooth. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens slightly.
06 - Reduce heat to low. Add cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, cayenne pepper, and salt. Whisk continuously until all cheese melts and the sauce becomes smooth. Remove from heat immediately.
07 - Spread tortilla chips evenly across a large oven-safe baking sheet or platter in a single layer.
08 - Distribute the seasoned ground beef evenly over the tortilla chips.
09 - Drizzle the warm cheese sauce generously over the beef and chips, ensuring even coverage.
10 - Scatter pickled jalapeño slices, diced tomatoes, and sliced scallions evenly across the top of the nachos.
11 - Transfer the loaded nachos to the preheated oven and bake for 5-7 minutes until the entire dish is hot and the cheese sauce bubbles slightly.
12 - Remove from oven and immediately garnish with fresh cilantro and dollops of sour cream. Serve while hot.
