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Easy Cast Iron Skillet Nachos

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The perfect appetizer or main course, these nachos are easy to make and can be customized with your favorite toppings. You’ll love the crispy tortilla chips, melted cheese, and delicious toppings.

whole skillet with cheese, ground beef, and veggies.

❤️ Why you’ll love this recipe

  • Easy to make. One dish, no fuss, and just a few minutes in the oven.
  • Can be customized with your favorite toppings
  • Delicious. Crispy, melty, spicy, and topped with the best seasoned ground beef.

This is an overview of the ingredients. You’ll find the full measurements and instructions in the printable recipe at the bottom of the page.

ingredients on white counter

Here’s what you’ll need to make this easy skillet appetizer.

  • ground beef 
  • chili powder
  • garlic powder
  • oregano
  • ground cumin
  • onion powder
  • black pepper
  • kosher salt
  • corn tortilla chips
  • medium cheddar cheese
  • diced red onion
  • sliced black olives
  • pickled or fresh sliced jalapeño
  • Chopped green onion
  • Guacamole or fresh diced avocado
  • Pico de gallo or fresh diced tomato


8-inch or larger cast iron skillet

🍴Instructions

Step One: cook the beef

cooked ground beef in cast iron skilllet.

In a cast iron skillet over medium heat, cook the beef and seasonings. Break up the meat as it cooks. When the meat is done, remove it to a plate. Drain any excess grease. Wipe the skillet clean with a paper towel.

Step Two: top and bake

skillet with plain chips and topped with meat.

Put a layer of chips in the skillet. Sprinkle with cheese and add olives, onions, and jalapenos. Repeat with another layer.

Bake the nachos until the cheese is melted.

Step three: garnish and serve

close up view of nachos in skillet.

Garnish your dish with any desired fresh toppings and serve it immediately.

🥫 Storage instructions

Leftover nachos do not store well. However, you can easily cook the ground beef and use only part of it to make a smaller portion of nachos. Any leftover beef will stay fresh in the fridge for 3-4 days and you can make another batch or use it in a salad.

🔍 FAQs

Can I broil them instead?

Yes… but observe them, and broil one layer at a time. I prefer to bake them.

Can I use a different cheese?

Yes, you can use any kind of cheese you like. Just remember that it will melt differently, so adjust your time accordingly. Monterey Jack is very good!

What kind of jalapenos are best?

I love fresh jalapenos for their color and heat. But if you don’t like spicy food, you’ll prefer pickled.

👩🏻‍🍳 Expert tips

  • Buy a block of cheese and shred it yourself. It melts better, and the flavor is delicious.
  • If you pre-chop your toppings, you can make this recipe very quickly. It’s just the thing to have ready to cook on Friday evening.

📘 Related Recipes

🍽 Serve it with

Having a fun evening with friends? You’ll love these too:

close up view of finished nachos.

📖 Here’s the recipe

chips piled with peppers and meat.

Cast Iron Skillet Nachos

5 from 1 vote
Your trusty skillet takes these nachos from stovetop to oven to table. Delicious and easy to make, these will make everyone happy.
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Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 9 minutes
Author: Katie Shaw
Want some free Christmas printables? Click here to grab ’em

Equipment

  • cast iron skillet

Ingredients

Seasoned Ground Beef

  • ½ pound ground beef 85% lean or leaner
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon oregano
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

To Assemble the Nachos

  • 11 ounces corn tortilla chips
  • 3 cups medium cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup diced red onion
  • ¼ cup sliced black olives
  • ½ cup pickled or fresh sliced jalapeño

Fresh Toppings

  • Chopped green onion
  • Guacamole or fresh diced avocado
  • Pico de gallo or fresh diced tomato

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 425° with a rack in the center.
  • Make the seasoned beef. Cook the beef and seasonings in a cast iron skillet over medium heat, breaking it up as you go. When the meat is cooked through, remove to a plate. Drain any excess grease. Wipe the skillet clean with a paper towel.
  • Assemble. Place a single layer of chips in the now-empty skillet. Sprinkle generously with cheese and the cooked meat, and add olives, onions, and jalapenos. Repeat with another layer.
  • Bake. Bake the nachos at 425° or 7-9 minutes until the cheese is thoroughly melted.
  • Garnish. Top with any desired fresh toppings and serve immediately.

Notes

Feel free to add or leave out any toppings you wish.
If you use lean ground beef as the recipe calls for, you shouldn’t need to drain any grease, which makes this easier.
Did you make this?Let me know how it was! Please see below for serving ideas, storage instructions, and substitutions.
Easy Cast Iron Skillet NachosEasy Cast Iron Skillet Nachos
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2 thoughts on “Easy Cast Iron Skillet Nachos”

  1. Hello! Waiting for this to come out of the oven however I wasn’t sure when to add back the ground beef. Was I supposed to layer in the beef while laying the chips? It smells great! Can’t wait!

    Reply

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