Description
Enjoy a festive and flavorful twist on classic nachos with these Spooky Spicy Loaded Halloween Nachos. Featuring layers of black tortilla chips, seasoned ground meat, melty cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese, black beans, corn, and zesty toppings like pickled jalapeños, olives, guacamole, and sour cream, this dish is perfect for Halloween parties or game day gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Base
- 1 bag of black tortilla chips
Cheeses
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Protein & Vegetables
- 1 lb ground beef or turkey
- 1 packet taco seasoning mix
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
- 1/2 cup sliced black olives
- 1/2 cup pickled jalapeños, sliced
- 1 small red onion, finely chopped
- 1 small green bell pepper, cut into thin rings for decoration
Toppings & Condiments
- 2 cups guacamole
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup salsa
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 -2 hot sauce options (e.g., Sriracha or Tabasco) for extra heat
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to get it ready for baking the nachos.
- Cook Meat: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef or turkey until fully cooked. Drain excess fat if necessary to keep the flavors clean and prevent greasiness.
- Season Meat: Add the taco seasoning mix along with water as directed on the packet. Stir well and let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes to develop flavor.
- Layer Chips: Spread an even layer of black tortilla chips on a large baking sheet or oven-safe platter as the base for your nachos.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle a mixture of shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses evenly over the chips to start building cheesy layers.
- Add Meat & Veggies: Distribute the cooked taco meat across the chips, followed by black beans and corn kernels for texture and taste.
- Second Layer: Add another layer of chips on top, then sprinkle the remaining shredded cheeses evenly.
- Top with Olives & Jalapeños: Scatter sliced black olives and pickled jalapeños to add a spicy kick and enhance the Halloween theme.
- Bake Nachos: Place the layered nachos in the preheated oven. Bake for about 10–12 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Cool Slightly: Remove the nachos from the oven and let them cool slightly before adding the fresh toppings to avoid melting them.
- Add Guacamole & Sour Cream: Spoon dollops of creamy guacamole and sour cream over the nachos for a cool, rich contrast.
- Add Salsa: Either spoon salsa over the top or serve it on the side for dipping, according to your preference.
- Garnish: Sprinkle freshly chopped cilantro and finely chopped red onion across the nachos for fresh flavor and appearance.
- Decorate with Bell Pepper Rings: Arrange green bell pepper rings decoratively on top to add a festive green pop and complete the Halloween look.
- Serve with Hot Sauce: Drizzle your choice of hot sauce directly on the nachos or set out options like Sriracha and Tabasco for guests to add their favorite level of heat.
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey for a leaner option.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the meat and add extra beans or cooked veggies like mushrooms and zucchini.
- Use fresh corn when in season for the best texture and sweetness.
- Black tortilla chips add a spooky visual perfect for Halloween but regular chips can be used as well.
- Serve immediately for best texture; chips may become soggy if left too long.
- Adjust jalapeños and hot sauce amount to control the spice level according to your preference.
