Mike's "Meal-in-a-Bite" Nachos

Mike loves his loaded nachos, but he doesn’t like sour cream. That can be a problem if you’re a nacho lover. Whenever you order “loaded” nachos, all the ingredients end up in the middle of the platter, under a big dollop of sour cream. So, Mike eats his way around the outer edges, which is just basically crispy tortilla chips without any embellishment whatsoever. After watching all his failed attempts at trying to get one chip smothered in beef and cheese, I realized the only way he was going to satisfy his craving was if I created nachos especially for him. And that’s exactly what I did. Each and every bite of these nachos are equally “loaded” with everything Mike loves and there’s no sour cream. Of course, if you love sour cream, feel free to add it. I start with “Scoops” chips, because each one acts as a mini serving bowl. Each scoop is filled with refried beans, followed by seasoned, browned ground beef, then generously sprinkled with cheese. After baking to melt the cheese, I pour Queso Blanco cheese dip over all (Mike adores restaurant style Queso Blanco cheese dip), then garnish with cilantro, scallions and diced tomatoes. It’s a meal in a bite! Plenty of napkins is a must. The look on hubby’s face every time I make these? Priceless.

Preheat oven to 350° F.
 

Chop cilantro, slice scallions and dice tomatoes. Set aside.

Over medium high heat, brown ground beef, breaking apart beef as it cooks. Season with chili powder, cumin, garlic powder and onion powder. Adjust seasonings to taste. When beef is lightly browned, lower heat and add about 1/4 cup water. Simmer until water evaporates.

Warm refried beans in small saucepan over low heat.

Meanwhile, line a large, 11 x 17-inch baking dish with Scoops chips. 

Spoon about 1/2 teaspoon of warmed beans in each chip. 

Evenly distribute cooked beef over all the chips. 

Sprinkle 2 cups of shredded cheese over all. Use Jack cheese, cheddar cheese, a cheese blend, or whatever you prefer.

Bake in 350° F. oven for 5 to 8 minutes, or until cheese is fully melted.

Warm Queso Blanco dip (white cheese dip) in microwave according to package directions, stirring at 30-second intervals, until heated through (should be 60 to 90 seconds total). 

Drizzle the white cheese dip evenly over all the chips. 

Garnish with cilantro, scallions and diced tomatoes.

Serve with plenty of napkins. If you have other toppings you would like to add, such as black olives, guacamole, sour cream, then “load” up! 

A little Melding Magic: now you see them, now you don't!

MIKE’S “MEAL-IN-A-BITE” NACHOS
Posted by: www.meldingmagic.com

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 bag Scoops Tortilla Chips
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 can (16-ounces) Refried beans, warmed
• 2 cups Mexican Blend Shredded Cheese
• 1 small container (about 8 ounces) Queso Blanco dip (white cheese dip), or make your own
• 2 teaspoons chili powder (or to taste)
• 1 teaspoon cumin (or to taste)               
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder (or to taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder (or to taste) Cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
• 5 to 6 scallions, thinly sliced (for garnish) 1 Roma tomato, seeded and chopped (for garnish)
• Sour cream, optional

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350° F.
2. Over medium high heat, brown ground beef, breaking apart beef as it cooks.  Season with chili
    powder, cumin, garlic powder and onion powder. When beef is lightly browned, lower heat and add
    about 1/4 cup water.  Simmer until water evaporates.
3. Meanwhile, line a large 11 x 17” baking dish with Scoops chips.  Put a scant (about 1/2 teaspoon) of
    warmed beans in each chip.  Evenly distribute cooked beef over all the chips. Sprinkle 2 cups shredded
    cheese over all.  Bake in 350° F. oven for 5 to 8 minutes (or until cheese is fully melted).
4. Warm Queso Blanco dip (white cheese dip) in microwave according to package directions, stirring at
    30-second intervals until heated through (should be 60 to 90 seconds total).  Drizzle cheese dip evenly
    over all the chips. Garnish with cilantro, scallions and diced tomatoes.
5. Serve with plenty of napkins. Can also serve with sour cream, if desired.