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Savory Loaded Nachos with Slow Cooker Chili Meat Sauce

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A comforting and crowd-pleasing recipe featuring slow cooker chili meat sauce layered over crispy tortilla chips with melted cheese and fresh toppings. Perfect for casual gatherings and easy to prepare.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 pounds ground beef (85% lean recommended)
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (15 oz) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
  • 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • ½ cup beef broth or water
  • 1 large bag tortilla chips
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 1 jalapeño, thinly sliced (optional)
  • ½ cup sliced black olives
  • ¼ cup chopped green onions
  • Fresh cilantro leaves for garnish
  • 1 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
  • 1 medium tomato, diced

Instructions

  1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spatula, until browned and no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
  2. Transfer browned beef to the slow cooker. Add chopped onion, minced garlic, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and drained kidney beans (if using).
  3. Stir in chili powder, smoked paprika, ground cumin, ground cinnamon, unsweetened cocoa powder, salt, and pepper. Pour in beef broth or water.
  4. Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Stir halfway through and adjust seasoning if needed.
  5. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread tortilla chips on a large baking sheet or oven-safe platter.
  6. Sprinkle 1 cup shredded cheddar and 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack evenly over the chips. Spoon warm chili meat sauce over the cheese layer.
  7. Place the baking sheet in the oven for 8-10 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly. Watch to avoid burning chips.
  8. Remove from oven. Top with sliced jalapeños, black olives, diced tomatoes, chopped green onions, and fresh cilantro leaves.
  9. Serve with dollops of sour cream or Greek yogurt on the side or directly on the nachos. Serve immediately.

Notes

Brown the meat before slow cooking to develop deeper flavor. Use thick, sturdy tortilla chips to avoid sogginess. Freshly shredded cheese melts better than pre-shredded varieties. If chili is too thick when reheating, add a splash of broth to loosen it. Store chili sauce separately from chips to maintain crispness.

Nutrition

Keywords: nachos, slow cooker chili, loaded nachos, chili meat sauce, easy recipe, game night food, comfort food

Find it online: https://platebelle.com/savory-loaded-nachos-with-slow-cooker-chili-meat-sauce-easy-recipe/