Loaded Nachos

You know when you just want to burn your mouth off, in the best way possible? I get these cravings for spicy food sometimes that just take over everything and I end up putting hot sauce on everything because I can't find the right recipe to satisfy the craving.

Usually it's Mexican food that I lean towards, but I've taken to adding hot sauce to pulled pork, ramen, and anything else I get my hands on during one of my made cravings.

It's funny because I used to hate spicy food, with a fiery passion (haha, see what I did there?). I think it's because I burned my tongue on some habanero salsa when my parents weren't watching me at a restaurant once. I was about 3 years old but I remember the horrifying experience like it was yesterday.

Thankfully I've finally warmed up to the realm of spicy food and my eyes were opened to a whole new world of flavor. These nachos are my ultimate celebration of all my favorite spicy things, including hot and spicy taco meat and all the hot toppings you could ask for.

Don't worry; even though this recipe is spicy, it's not the kind of hot that'll burn off your taste buds so you lose all ability to taste. That is just a wee bit too intense for this foodie over here. I want to be able to taste the fire, you know?

These nachos are the perfect marriage of spicy, smoky and savory. You'll have a really hard time resisting the urge to finish off the pan in one setting, even if it is just you eating it alone while watching Top Chef and downing margaritas on a Tuesday.

Not like that ever happens in my world or anything… 

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Loaded Nachos Recipe

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Ingredients

For the Ground Beef:

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon hot sauce

For the Cheese Sauce:

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 cup milk
• 1 1/4 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

For the Nachos:

• 4 cups tortilla chips
• 1/2 cup refried beans
• 1/2 cup shredded monterey jack cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup salsa
• 1 avocado, peeled, pitted, and chopped
• 1 jalapeño, diced
• hot sauce

Directions

For the Ground Beef:

1. In a large skillet, cook ground beef with the spices and hot sauce, breaking the meat up so it doesn't form large chunks. Once cooked, set aside.

For the Cheese Sauce:

1. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt 1 Tablespoon butter for the cheese sauce.
2. Whisk in the flour and cook until it begins to brown and bubble, approximately 1 minutes.
3. Whisk in milk and cook until thickened, approximately 2 to 3 minutes.
4. Finally, stir in 1 1/4 cups shredded cheddar cheese until melted. Keep warm on low heat.

To Assemble the Nachos:

1. Make a single layer of tortilla chips on a rimmed baking sheet.
2. Dot the refried beans throughout the chips.
3. Add a layer of 3/4 of the meat, then top with the Monterrey jack and cheddar cheese for the nachos.
4. Broil under High heat until the cheese is melted.
5. Add a final layer of the meat and top with cheese sauce.
6. Finally, top with all your favorite toppings - cilantro, green onion, sour cream, chopped avocado, salsa, hot sauce and jalapeños.
7. Serve immediately.

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