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Picture creating the ultimate nachos for one! Envision a plate piled with crispy tortilla chips, each amply topped with seasoned ground beef, fresh tomatoes, sliced olives, and a generous amount of cheese. This recipe delivers a personal-sized fiesta, perfect for a fulfilling snack or meal. It’s a simple solution for enjoying loaded nachos, ideal for those moments when you desire something tasty but don’t want the hassle of too many leftovers.
Nachos are delightful on their own, but why not elevate the experience? Pair them with a Taco Salad for some freshness, add a side of tangy Pico de Gallo and creamy Guacamole for dipping variety, and don’t forget the vibrant taste of pickled onions for an extra zing. A chilled Margarita can complement the flavors beautifully, and for a sweet finale, a mini Tres Leches Cake offers a delightful contrast. These pairings enrich your nacho experience, blending flavors and textures for a full, satisfying meal.
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Why You’ll Love This Easy Nachos Recipe
- Perfect Portion: No more worrying about overeating or wasting food. This recipe gives you just the right amount.
- Customizable: Tailor it to your preferences! Swap ingredients as you like for a personalized touch.
- Quick and Easy: Ideal for busy days. You’ll have delicious nachos ready in no time.
- Flavorful: Each bite is packed with a delightful mix of textures and tastes.
- Versatile: Great for a single serving meal, a snack, or even a small gathering.
What Are Nachos?
Nachos, a beloved dish known for their simplicity and versatility, have an interesting origin story. They were first created in 1940 by Ignacio “Nacho” Anaya in Piedras Negras, Coahuila, a city just across the border from Eagle Pass, Texas. This dish, typically consisting of crispy, heated tortilla chips smothered in melted cheese, has evolved to include various toppings and is widely enjoyed as a snack or appetizer. Over the years, nachos have become a staple in both casual and festive settings, celebrated for their delightful combination of flavors and textures.
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this loaded nachos recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Tortilla Chips: Choose your favorite type – unsalted, salted, blue corn, or traditional. Each variety adds a unique twist to the nachos.
- Ground Beef: Lean ground beef is my go-to for a healthier option. Feel free to swap it with ground turkey or chicken for a different flavor profile. If you’ve got leftover ground beef, consider using it in Taco Soup, Ground Beef Tacos, or Stuffed Peppers.
- Onions and Garlic: Cooking the beef with onions and garlic infuses it with a robust, savory taste.
- Seasoning: Simple salt and black pepper season the beef beautifully, but for a kick, taco seasoning is a fantastic alternative.
- Cheese: Shredded cheddar is my cheese of choice for its melting quality and flavor. For best results, shred your own cheese; it melts better than pre-shredded varieties, which often contain preservatives.
- Tomato: A medium-sized Roma or Plum tomato is ideal, but any tomato variety works.
- Olives: Salty olives add a nice briny contrast. If they’re not to your liking, simply omit them.
- Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil, the least processed form, is my recommendation for its rich flavor and nutritional value. A lighter olive oil can be used as a substitute.
Optional Ingredients to Enhance Your Nachos
- Pickled onions for a tangy crunch
- Creamy guacamole
- Fresh Pico de Gallo
- Crisp cucumber salsa
- Warm, gooey queso
- Spicy sliced jalapeños
- Chopped avocados for a creamy addition
- Sour cream or plain Greek yogurt for a cool, tangy finish
- Black beans for a hearty, fiber-rich component
Recipe Variations
- Restaurant-Style: Skip the shredded cheese. Bake the assembled nachos, then top with warm queso.
- Base Swap: Use french fries, sweet potato fries, pita rounds, shredded lettuce, or naan instead of tortilla chips.
- Protein Change-Up: Use different proteins like shredded chicken, brisket, thinly sliced steak, or seasoned pork instead of ground beef.
- Cheese Choices: Experiment with cotija or queso fresco for a milder, authentic Mexican flavor.
Remember, nachos are a quick and easy meal that’s so easy to throw together. This delicious single serving version is perfectly customizable and yields just the right amount for one. You can always double the ingredients for a second batch or to share!
How To Make Nachos For One
These step-by-step photos and instructions help you visualize how to bake a small batch of nachos. See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- Heat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a large baking sheet with foil or parchment paper. Spread the chips out evenly on the pan and set the pan aside.
- Heat the olive oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally for 2 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
- Add the ground beef, salt, and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef has browned, about 8 minutes. Transfer the beef to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
- Spoon the cooked ground beef over the tortilla chips. Top with the cheese, chopped tomatoes, and sliced olives.
- Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake until the cheese melts, about 5 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and top with any of the optional toppings, if desired. Enjoy hot.
Expert Tips
- Optimal Chip Coverage: For even topping distribution, spread the chips widely on a baking tray, rimmed sheet pan, or cast iron skillet. Avoid overcrowding to ensure each chip gets its share of the delicious toppings.
- Prep Ahead for Convenience: Save time by preparing some ingredients in advance. Cheese can be shredded and meat browned up to three days prior to making your nachos, streamlining the assembly process.
- Choose the Right Baking Dish: For the best results, bake your nachos on an oven-safe dish. A rimmed sheet pan or a cast iron skillet are excellent choices for achieving evenly heated and crispy nachos.
- Serve Immediately for Best Taste: Nachos are most enjoyable when served fresh out of the oven. To maintain their ideal texture and flavor, serve them promptly after baking and avoid letting them sit for too long.
Frequently Asked Questions
Making vegan nachos is a breeze with these simple swaps:
Protein Swap: Replace ground beef with cooked lentils, canned beans, or a vegan meat alternative for a plant-based protein source.
Vegan Toppings: Opt for vegan cheese, which melts wonderfully. Complement it with guacamole and chunky salsa for added flavor and texture.
Turning these nachos vegetarian is easy and delicious:
Vegetarian Protein Options: Skip the meat and add hearty, flavorful ingredients like grilled veggies, mushrooms, or paneer.
Cheese and Toppings: Stick with regular cheese or a vegetarian-friendly cheese option. Round it out with classic toppings like sour cream, diced tomatoes, and olives.
Cheddar is a popular choice for nachos due to its rich flavor and good melting properties. However, you can also experiment with other cheeses for different tastes and textures. Mozzarella, known for its excellent melt and mild flavor, works great. Other tasty options include Monterey Jack, Colby, or Pepper Jack for a bit of a spicy kick.
For the perfect nacho experience, opt for thicker corn tortilla chips. Their sturdiness is key to supporting the weight of the toppings without breaking. Thin chips tend to buckle under the load, so it’s best to choose a robust variety for your nacho base.
Serve immediately after preparing for the best taste and texture.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
For more information on the cooking and baking dishes I use in our “recipes for one”, please visit our FAQ page. Examples of the dishes I use at One Dish Kitchen can be found on our Store page.
If you’ve tried this easy nachos recipe or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
Also, if you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see it!
Nachos For One
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 ounces tortilla chips (between 15-20 chips depending on the size)
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup chopped onions
- 1 clove garlic , minced
- 5 ounces ground beef
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
- ⅔ cup shredded cheddar cheese (about 1.5-ounces)
- 1 small tomato (about 3/4 cup chopped)
- ¼ cup sliced black olives
- Optional: Pickled onions, Guacamole, Pico de Gallo, Cucumber Salsa, Queso, Sliced jalapeños, Chopped avocados, Sour cream or plain Greek yogurt, Black beans
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a large baking sheet with foil or parchment paper. Spread the chips out evenly on the pan and set the pan aside.
- Heat the olive oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally for 2 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
- Add the ground beef, salt, and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef has browned, about 8 minutes. Transfer the beef to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
- Spoon the cooked ground beef over the tortilla chips. Top with the cheese, chopped tomatoes, and sliced olives.
- Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake until the cheese melts, about 5 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and top with any of the optional toppings, if desired. Enjoy hot.
Notes
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Love this. One option I love is pickled jalapeno’s. By the way – am SO glad you have someone helping you with additions to your website & assisting you with it. Was already fabulous – but is now absolutely outstanding. I check it almost daily and now have a collection of index recipe cards. Made purchase of special “large” recipe box – just for your fantastic selections. Have passed this website onto so many – who also rave about it. PLEASE……another cookbook or two. Also think appearance at QVC should be in your future. Your website is so great – needs more publication….
Thank you so much for your lovely comment and support! I’m thrilled to hear how much you enjoy the recipes and that you’ve even dedicated a special recipe box for them—what a fantastic idea! Your enthusiasm is truly contagious, and I’m grateful for you sharing the site with others.
I love your suggestion of adding pickled jalapeños. It’s those little twists that can really personalize a dish and make it extra special.
As for the future, your encouragement means the world to me. More cookbooks and perhaps even an appearance on QVC? That would be incredible! I’m definitely inspired by your ideas and the support from all of you. Stay tuned for more delicious adventures!
Thank you again for being such a wonderful part of this community. Keep enjoying the recipes and keep those suggestions coming!
This was a perfect recipe for one! I added some Mexican spices to my gound beef and a couple heaping Tablespoons of refried beans. Topped off my nachos with a little salsa, fresh jalapenos and sour cream. So delicious!