Beef Nachos Grande

By AuntieGooper

Ingredients

• On the Side:
• 1/2 pound ground beef
• 1 teaspoon chili powder (Spanish blend)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon dried minced onion
• 1/8 teaspoon paprika
• 2 tablespoons water
• 8 "restaurant style" corn tortilla chips
• 1/2 cup refried beans
• 1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• 1/4 cup diced onion
• 1 large red jalapeno (or green)
• Sour cream
• Guacamole
• Salsa

Preparation

Step 1

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. Use a spatula or fork to crumble the beef into small pieces as it cooks. When you no longer see pink in the meat, drain off the fat.
3. To the meat, add the chili powder, salt, dried onion, paprika, and water. Simmer over medium/low heat for 10 minutes.
4. If you are going to prepare your own tortilla chips, do that following the instructions in "Tidbits" while the meat is simmering.
5. Heat the refried beans in a small saucepan over low heat or in the microwave for about 2 minutes.
6. Mix the two cheeses together in a small bowl.
7. Arrange the tortilla chips on a baking sheet or an oven-safe ceramic plate. Spread about a tablespoon of refried beans on each chip.
8. Sprinkle a couple of tablespoons of spiced beef onto the beans on each chip. Press down on the beef to make a flat surface for the cheese.
9. Carefully pile a small handful of cheese on each chip.
10. Sprinkle a pinch of the diced onion over the cheese.
11. Place a slice of jalapeno on top of the onion.
12. Bake the chips for 8 to 10 minutes or until the cheese has melted. Serve with your choice of sour cream, guacamole, and salsa on the side.
Tidbits: If you want to make your own tasty tortilla chips, buy some 6-inch corn tortillas and cut two of them twice-like a small pizza-into 4 equal triangular pieces (making a total of 8 slices). Drop the tortilla slices 4 at a time into a frying pan filled with about 1/2 inch of oil that has preheated over medium heat. Chips should bubble rapidly and will only need to fry 30 to 45 seconds per side. They should become a bit more golden in color, and very crispy. Drain the chips on a rack or on some paper towels. Salt to taste.