Spicy Baked Black Bean Nachos Recipe - Budget Bytes (2024)

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$6.36 recipe / $1.59 serving

by Beth - Budget Bytes

published

4.92 from 36 votes

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It’s Monday and I’m throwing caution to the wind. Sometimes you have to start the week out with a bang to make the weight of the long week ahead a little more bearable, you know? 😅 I had a couple leftover jalapeños in my fridge as well as a small batch of pickled red onions, so I thought that was a great excuse to make some nachos(naturally). Anyway, ever since discovering how a few minutes in a hot oven can elevate crunchy tacos to a heavenly level, I’ve wanted to try the same with nachos. These Spicy Baked Black Bean Nachos proved my suspicions correct and today I’m in nacho heaven. Watch out Tuesday, I’m comin’ for ya!

Spicy Baked Black Bean Nachos Recipe - Budget Bytes (2)

Nacho Topping Options

Obviously you can put whatever toppings on your nachos that you like, but if you haven’t tried pickled red onions yet, you’re missing out. Their sweet-tart-salty flavor really adds zing to the nachos.

A light drizzle or dollop of creamy sour cream balances the pickled red onions and the heat of the black bean mixture. If you’re feeling extra extravagant, I highly suggest turning your sour cream into lime crema for even more flavor (lime crema recipe here).

Oh, and if you do fresh jalapeños like I did below, the trick is to slice them super-SUPER thinly. That way you get flavor and heat without burning your mouth off.

Tips for Success with Baked Black Bean Nachos

When it comes to baking nachos, there are three main tips to success:

  • Use really thick, hearty chips. No “thin and crispy” for this dish. They need to stand up to layers of toppings and oven baking without burning.
  • Line your baking sheet or suffer the consequences (difficult clean-up). I like parchment because it doesn’t reflect heat and reduces the chance of burning, but foil will also work.
  • It’s all about the layers. Layer your chips, bean mixture, and cheese for the best chip-to-topping ratio. No one likes getting a chip with no toppings or so many toppings that you can’t lift your chip.
Spicy Baked Black Bean Nachos Recipe - Budget Bytes (3)

Let’s go start this week off right, shall we?

Spicy Baked Black Bean Nachos

4.92 from 36 votes

For the perfect Spicy Baked Black Bean Nachos, layer your chips and toppings for the perfect chip-to-topping ratio. The ultimate comfort food!

Author: Beth – Budget Bytes

Spicy Baked Black Bean Nachos Recipe - Budget Bytes (4)

Spicy Baked Black Bean Nachos Recipe - Budget Bytes (5) Servings 4

Prep 15 minutes mins

Cook 20 minutes mins

Total 35 minutes mins

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Ingredients

SPICY BLACK BEAN MIXTURE

NACHOS

  • 8 oz. sturdy corn tortilla chips ($1.50)
  • 4 oz. cheddar, shredded* ($1.00)
  • 1 Roma tomato ($0.32)
  • 1 jalapeño ($0.12)
  • 1/3 cup pickled red onions ($0.24)
  • 1 handful fresh cilantro ($0.25)
  • 1/4 cup sour cream ($0.37)

Instructions

  • Finely dice the onion. Add the olive oil and onion to a large skillet and sauté over medium heat until the onion is soft and transparent (about 5 minutes). Drain, but do not rinse the black beans, allowing some of the starchy liquid to remain coating the beans. Add the beans and diced tomatoes with chiles (not drained) to the skillet, along with the chipotle powder, cumin, garlic powder, and salt. Stir and simmer the mixture until it thickens and liquid no longer pools on the bottom of the skillet (about 10 minutes).

  • Begin preheating the oven to 350ºF. Shred the cheddar cheese, finely dice the Roma tomato, thinly slice the jalapeño, and chop the cilantro.

  • Line a baking sheet with parchment or foil. Spread a layer of tortilla chips over the baking sheet in a single layer, trying not to overlap the chips. Spoon about half of the black bean mixture over the chips, then sprinkle half of the shredded cheese over top. Repeat with one more layer of chips, black beans, and cheese.

  • Bake the chips, beans, and cheese for 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and the chips are just beginning to turn golden brown on the edges. Remove the nachos from the oven and add a drizzles or dollops of sour cream over top. Sprinkle the diced tomato, sliced jalapeño, pickled red onions, and chopped cilantro over top.

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Notes

*I highly suggest shredding your own cheddar instead of buying pre-shredded for this recipe. Freshly shredded melts a bit better than the starch coated pre-shredded cheeses.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 575.5kcalCarbohydrates: 66.25gProtein: 18.13gFat: 27.7gSodium: 964.8mgFiber: 11g

Read our full nutrition disclaimer here.

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How to Make Baked Nachos – Step by Step Photos

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Start by preparing the spicy black bean mixture. Finely dice one small onion and sauté it in a large skillet with 1 Tbsp olive oil until the onions are soft and transparent (about 5 minutes).

Spicy Baked Black Bean Nachos Recipe - Budget Bytes (9)

Add one 15 oz. can black beans (mostly drained, not rinsed), one 10 oz. can petite diced tomatoes with green chiles (not drained), 1/2 tsp chipotle powder, 1/2 tsp cumin, 1/4 tsp garlic powder, and 1/4 tsp salt.

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Rotel is probably the most popular brand of diced tomatoes with chiles, but I found these Red Gold tomatoes that were less expensive. If you can’t find diced tomatoes with chiles, you can either do plain petite diced tomatoes, or get a can of petite diced tomatoes and a small 4 oz. can of diced green chiles separately. Just make sure they’re PETITE diced so that you don’t have large chunks of tomatoes.

Spicy Baked Black Bean Nachos Recipe - Budget Bytes (11)

Simmer the mixture until the liquid thickens and no longer pools on the bottom of the skillet. You want it to be thick and goopy and not too wet because that can soften your chips.

Spicy Baked Black Bean Nachos Recipe - Budget Bytes (12)

Begin preheating your oven to 350ºF and prepare your cold toppings so that they’re ready to go on top immediately when the nachos come out of the oven. Thinly slice one jalapeño, finely dice one Roma tomato, and chop a handful of cilantro. Also shred 4 oz. of cheddar cheese. (The pickled red onions and sour cream don’t need any prep).

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Begin to layer the nachos. Line a baking sheet with parchment or foil (preferably parchment) and then spread out one layer of chips over the sheet so that they are touching but not overlapping too much.

Spicy Baked Black Bean Nachos Recipe - Budget Bytes (14)

Spoon half of the bean mixture over the first layer of chips, then sprinkle half of the shredded cheese over top. Follow that up with one more single layer of chips, the second half of the bean mixture, and the second half of the cheese. Perfect chip-to-topping ratio! :)

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Bake the nachos in the preheated oven for 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and the tips of the chips are just barely starting to turn golden.

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Immediately top the baked chips with a little sour cream, the sliced jalapeños, diced tomatoes, chipped cilantro, and pickled red onions. Perfect!

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And that’s it!! Super fast and easy, and guaranteed to make your Monday a little better. ;)

Love baked nachos? Check out our Breakfast Nachos!

Spicy Baked Black Bean Nachos Recipe - Budget Bytes (2024)

FAQs

How do you keep loaded nachos from getting soggy? ›

A buffer: Before loading on that beef or bean topping, consider pre-baking the chips with a thin layer of cheese; this can help create a buffer to keep your nachos crisp for longer.

How to spice up your nachos? ›

Optional toppings:
  1. Guacamole.
  2. Salsa.
  3. Sour cream.
  4. Canned black olives.
  5. Sliced green onions.
  6. Shredded lettuce.
  7. Corn.
  8. Hot sauce.

What are black nachos made of? ›

Baked Black Bean Nachos. Layers of crisp blue corn chips, Monterey Jack cheese, refried black beans, and topped with pico de gallo.

What to eat black beans with? ›

You'll be surprised by how easy it is to turn a couple of canned black beans into a simple, quick, and flavorful side of Seasoned Black Beans. Enjoy them in your burrito bowls, alongside some fajitas, with fish tacos, or over a bed of hot rice!

What is the fully loaded nachos rule? ›

“Because we have a rule here that if you order one nachos to share, one person cannot eat all of the fully loaded nachos.” Tim pretends to be surprised by the waiter setting ground rules but is called out by his date.

What is the secret to good homemade nachos? ›

Packaged, pre-shredded cheeses contain stabilizers which hinder their meltability. Shred your own cheese instead of chopping or tearing it: Smaller pieces will melt quicker, which means your nachos will be perfectly gooey without charred or overdone chips. One layer of chips and toppings is good.

Is it better to make nachos in the oven or microwave? ›

Here's a fact: If you put a plate of tortilla chips topped with cheese in the microwave and zap them until the cheese melts, the cheese will melt way before the tortilla chips have the chance to take on any color or toasted flavor. With nachos baked in the oven, the chips toast while the cheese melts.

Do you put salsa on nachos before or after baking? ›

These wet toppings also end up cooling the nachos down too quickly. → Follow this tip: Any sauce-like thing that you wouldn't top the nachos with when they are baking, like sour cream, salsa, and guacamole, should be served on the side. Place them in little bowls with spoons so that people can serve themselves.

How many layers should nachos be? ›

Start with a base of tortilla chips, cheese, salsa, jalapeño, and any warm fillings like meats and veggies. Once the cheese melts, remove from the oven, add another layer, and repeat. This extra step ensures your nachos are well-covered and evenly baked from top to bottom.

Are nachos better in the oven or grill? ›

The cooking method

Drummond "nukes" the nachos in a microwave and the NYT grills them, but the best results, I find, come from baking, which heats the dish all the way through without making the base layer soft and chewy.

What cheese is best with nachos? ›

A: While you can technically use any type of cheese for nachos, some cheeses work better than others. The best options include Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, and Queso Blanco.

Are black beans good for you? ›

Black beans are among the most frequently consumed dry pulses around the world. They're considered nutritional powerhouses that are rich in plant-based protein, fiber, and antioxidants that help manage blood pressure, sugar, and cholesterol levels.

Should you rinse canned black beans? ›

Unless the recipe tells you to keep the canned beans in their liquid, you should drain your can and give the beans a good rinse before using. This will improve the flavor and texture of your finished dish. Open your cans of beans using a can opener. There may be sharp edges from opening the can.

Are canned black beans cooked? ›

Technically, canned black beans are already cooked, and you can use them right out of the can. Cooking canned black beans will make them taste even better. Here's how to cook beans from a can: Heat a small-sized saucepan on the stovetop over medium-high heat.

Are black beans good for flat stomach? ›

Black beans as part of a healthy weight loss diet can help you lose weight. Beans of all types are high in fiber and low in fat. They keep you full for long periods of time and help keep your blood sugar stable.

How do you reheat nachos so they aren't soggy? ›

How to reheat nachos in the oven: the best method
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
  2. Spread the nachos out on a parchment-lined baking sheet in a single layer.
  3. If desired, sprinkle a small handful of cheese on top of the nachos. ...
  4. Bake the nachos for 5 to 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the chips are crispy.
Aug 29, 2023

How do you keep tortilla chips from getting soggy? ›

One of the best ways you can keep them fresh is by ensuring they're stored in a dry place — totally away from any moisture. From tortilla chips to potato chips and everything in between, you also want to make sure the bag they're contained in remains tightly sealed.

Will nachos go soggy in the fridge? ›

When storing leftover nachos, it is important to keep them in an airtight container to protect them from moisture and preserve their freshness. One should remove any cold toppings, such as salsa and sour cream, which can make the chips soggy when refrigerated.

How do you keep nacho cheese from getting watery? ›

If too runny, add an extra ¼ cup of shredded cheddar cheese and a bit more evaporated milk. Do not use pre-shredded cheese as it is coated to keep it from being sticky and inhibits its ability to melt. Texture. There may be several reasons that the texture of the sauce doesn't turn out.

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