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Loaded Bacon Ranch Tailgate Nachos

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Quick and easy loaded nachos with seasoned ground beef, crispy bacon, and a creamy ranch drizzle, perfect for game day or any casual gathering.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 (13 oz) bag tortilla chips (Restaurant Style recommended)
  • 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey)
  • 1 packet (1 oz) ranch seasoning mix
  • 2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese (or cheddar jack)
  • 1 cup cooked bacon bits (freshly cooked and crumbled preferred)
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup pickled jalapeños
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, diced
  • 1/2 cup green onions, sliced
  • 1/2 cup black olives, sliced (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
  2. Cook the ground beef. In a skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it apart with a spatula. This should take about 6-8 minutes. Drain any excess fat, then stir in half of the ranch seasoning packet. Set aside.
  3. Make the ranch drizzle. In a small bowl, whisk together the sour cream, milk, and the remaining ranch seasoning. If it’s too thick, add a splash more milk. Set aside.
  4. Layer the chips. Spread the tortilla chips evenly on the prepared baking sheet. Make sure they’re in a single layer as much as possible—this ensures every chip gets some topping.
  5. Add the beef and cheese. Sprinkle the seasoned ground beef over the chips, then top generously with the shredded cheese. Don’t skimp here—the cheese is what holds everything together.
  6. Bake. Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly. Keep an eye on it—you want the cheese melted, not the chips burnt.
  7. Top with bacon and veggies. Remove from the oven and immediately sprinkle with the bacon bits, diced tomatoes, green onions, jalapeños, and black olives. Drizzle the ranch mixture over the top.
  8. Serve immediately. Nachos are best enjoyed hot, right out of the oven. I like to serve them with extra sour cream and salsa on the side.

Notes

For extra crispy chips, bake them for 2-3 minutes before adding toppings. Avoid overcrowding the pan to prevent soggy chips. Leftovers don’t reheat well; scrape off toppings and use in other dishes.

Nutrition

Keywords: nachos, tailgate, game day, bacon, ranch, loaded nachos, appetizer

Find it online: https://elaraeats.com/loaded-bacon-ranch-tailgate-nachos-the-perfect-game-day-appetizer/