How to Make Delicious Nachos with Doritos and Ground Beef

Nachos are an all-time favorite snack or appetizer, loved for their crunchy tortilla chips, gooey melted cheese, and customize-able toppings. But you can take nachos to the next level of bold, cheesy flavor by using Doritos instead of regular tortilla chips! Doritos add their signature zesty, nacho cheese taste to every bite. And pairing Doritos with hearty ground beef makes nachos hearty and satisfying enough for dinner. Read on to learn how easy it is to make mouthwatering Doritos nachos loaded with ground beef at home.

Why Make Doritos Nachos with Ground Beef

Using Doritos as the base for nachos gives them extra cheesy, spicy flavor. Doritos come in classic Nacho Cheese as well as other tempting flavors like Cool Ranch, Spicy Sweet Chili, and Flamin’ Hot Whichever you choose, Doritos pack more flavor than regular tortilla chips.

Covering Doritos with gooey melted cheese and crumbled, seasoned ground beef makes the nachos filling and protein-packed. The cheese becomes even creamier and richer when melted over the bold Doritos Lean ground beef is an inexpensive way to add satisfying meatiness Ground turkey or chicken can also be substituted.

Part of the fun of nachos is customizing with your favorite toppings. Doritos nachos handle any additions like a champ! Heap on sliced jalapeños, black olives, diced tomatoes, or scallions. Drizzle with guacamole or sour cream. Sprinkle with shredded lettuce or salsa. The options are endless for making Doritos nachos your way!

Doritos nachos are the ultimate shareable snack for game day, movie night, or parties. Make a big pan for a crowd or individual portions for a quick weeknight dinner. Either way, the fun flavors and textures make Doritos nachos a hit!

Tips for Making the Best Doritos Nachos

Follow these tips for Doritos nachos that come out perfect every time

• Pick your favorite Doritos variety. Go with your personal favorite or let guests choose between Nacho Cheese, Cool Ranch, Spicy Sweet Chili, and other flavors.

• Shred the cheese yourself. Pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking agents that inhibit melting. Freshly shredded melts smooth and creamy. Aim for a blend of cheeses like cheddar, Monterey jack, and pepper jack.

• Cook ground beef with taco seasoning. Brown the ground beef and add taco seasoning for authentic nacho flavor.

• Layer evenly. Cover all the Doritos with cheese and toppings. Building in neat layers prevents burnt or bare spots.

• Bake at 350°F. The lower temperature prevents Doritos from burning yet still melts the cheese. Watch closely near the end of baking.

• Add fresh toppings after baking. Heat-sensitive toppings like guacamole, tomatoes, and sour cream go on after baking so they stay cool and fresh.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Having all the key ingredients on hand makes assembling Doritos nachos a breeze. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Doritos tortilla chips – 1 large 9-11 ounce bag, any flavor

• Ground beef – 1 pound, lean

• Taco seasoning – 1 packet or 2-3 Tbsp homemade seasoning

• Water – 1/2 cup to mix with taco seasoning

• Shredded cheese – About 3 cups total, like cheddar, Monterey Jack, pepper jack

• Toppings – jalapeños, tomatoes, olives, scallions, guacamole, salsa, sour cream

Omit the ground beef and add black beans or pinto beans for a vegetarian version. Chicken or turkey can also substitute for the ground beef.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Making Doritos nachos with ground beef takes just 20-30 minutes. Here’s how:

Cook the Ground Beef

1. In a skillet over medium heat, cook 1 pound ground beef until browned and crumbled. Drain excess grease.

2. Add 1 packet taco seasoning and 1/2 cup water. Stir together. Simmer for 5 minutes until thickened.

3. Remove beef from heat and set aside.

Assemble the Nachos

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Spread a layer of Doritos on a baking sheet.

2. Sprinkle 1 cup shredded cheese over the chips.

3. Top with half the ground beef mixture.

4. Add another layer of Doritos, 1 cup cheese, and the remaining beef.

5. Top with any extras like sliced jalapeños.

Bake and Finish

1. Bake for 8-12 minutes until cheese melts. Watch closely to avoid burning.

2. Remove from oven and top with any cold toppings like guacamole or diced tomatoes.

3. Serve the cheesy Doritos nachos warm!

Get creative with toppings and enjoy the crunchy, spicy, cheesy flavors!

Serving Ideas

Doritos nachos are fun to serve for parties, game days, or movies nights. Here are some serving suggestions:

• For a casual party, set out the baked Doritos nachos with bowls of various toppings so guests can customize their portions.

• For movie night or gaming, make individual portions on small baking sheets so everyone gets their own personal nacho platter.

• Turn it into a meal by adding refried beans, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and guacamole.

• For a quick weeknight dinner, bake the nachos then top with taco meat, black beans, salsa, and other taco bar fixings.

• For a hearty appetizer, serve the loaded nachos with salsa and sour cream on the side for dipping.

However you serve them, Doritos nachos are sure to be a crowd-pleaser!

Storage and Reheating

Doritos nachos are best enjoyed freshly made and still warm. But leftovers can be stored and reheated.

Storage

• Allow nachos to cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container.

• Refrigerate for 3-4 days.

• The chips will soften over time but still taste great.

Reheating

• Preheat oven to 325°F.

• Place nachos on a baking sheet and bake for 4-5 minutes until hot and cheese is melted again.

• Top with any cold toppings like guacamole after reheating.

• Nachos can also be reheated in the microwave in 30 second intervals, checking frequently.

Reheated Doritos nachos make an easy next-day snack or meal.

More Delicious Nacho Recipes

If you love Doritos nachos, try these other tempting recipes:

• Chili Cheese Doritos Nachos – Made with Flamin’ Hot Doritos and topped with beef chili.

• Doritos Nachos Supreme – Loaded with taco meat, beans, queso dip, and all the fixings.

• BBQ Chicken Doritos Nachos – Uses Sweet & Spicy BBQ Doritos with shredded BBQ chicken.

• Veggie Doritos Nachos – Omits the meat and piles on bell peppers, onions, beans, and guacamole.

• Breakfast Doritos Nachos – With scrambled eggs, bacon, cheddar cheese, and avocado.

Get creative with different Doritos flavors and fun topping combinations! Nachos are the perfect canvas for playing with different tastes and textures.

FAQs

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about making Doritos nachos:

What is the best Doritos flavor for nachos?

The most popular choice is Nacho Cheese Doritos, but any variety works well. Cool Ranch, Spicy Sweet Chili, and Flamin’ Hot all make tempting options too.

Do you bake Doritos nachos?

Yes, baking is the preferred cooking method. Baking allows the cheese to melt slowly and evenly without burning the chips.

How long and at what temperature do you bake Doritos nachos?

Bake at 350°F for 8-12 minutes, just until the cheese melts completely. Watch closely near the end to avoid burning.

Should Doritos nachos be layered?

Building the nachos in neat layers ensures even coverage of cheese and toppings so every bite is loaded.

Can you freeze Doritos nachos?

It’s best not to freeze baked Doritos nachos. Thawing will make the chips soggy. However, you can freeze the unbaked ingredients layered between sheets of waxed paper for up to 3 months, then bake just before serving.

Enjoy Bold and Cheesy Doritos Nachos

Doritos nachos are the ultimate game day snack, movie night treat, or fun dinner for the whole family. Crispy Doritos, gooey cheese, savory beef, and favorite toppings combine for a mouthwatering dish you’ll make again and again. Bake the nachos until hot and melty, top with anything your heart desires, and get ready to take snacking to a whole new flavorful level with every satisfying, cheesy bite. With the right layers and toppings, Doritos nachos can fit any craving!