Spicy Super Nachos

I've been making these nachos for years now, whether for the big game or even for a fun, easy dinner. They're spicy, tangy, savory, and delicious. I thought I'd share in case anyone is looking for last minute ideas for a dish to make for this weekend. Hope you enjoy!!

Spicy Super Nachos
Adapted from America's Test Kitchen

Ingredients:

Beans-

• 1 c. refried black beans, canned
• 6 T. Monterrey Jack cheese
• 2 T. pickled jalapenos

Beef-

• 1 T. vegetable oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 T. chile powder
• 1 tsp. cumin
• 1/2 tsp. mexican oregano
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 lb. lean ground beef
• 2 T. tomato paste
• 1 tsp. brown sugar
• 2 canned chipotle chilis, chopped
• 2 tsp. adobo sauce from chipotle can
• 1/2 c. water
• 2 tsp. lime juice or more to taste

Layering items-

• 1 bag Tortilla chips
• 4 c. Jack cheese (for spicier nachos, use Pepper Jack)
• 1/4-1/2c. pickled and sliced jalapeno chiles (canned)

Garnishes-

• Sour cream
• Salsa

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees with oven rack in middle position.

Bean instructions-

1. Place all bean ingredients in food processor and pulse until smooth. 
2. Set aside in bowl, covered. 

Beef instructions-

1. Heat oil over medium in a large skillet until shimmering but not smoking. 
2. Add onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. 
3. Add garlic, chili powder, cumin, oregano, and salt. Cook for 1 minute to toast slightly.
4. Add beef, breaking it up and stirring, cooking for about 5 minutes or until  it is cooked through (no pink).
5. Add tomato paste, sugar, chile, adobo and cook for about 1 minute. Paste will begin to darken. 
6. Stir in water, bring back to a simmer and cook over medium/low heat until is almost dry, about 6-8 minutes. 
7. Stir in lime juice. 
8. Line a large plate with several layers of paper towels for soaking up any excess fat. Place meat onto paper towels. Using more paper towels, blot the top of the meat as well. 

Assembly-

1. In a 13x9 in baking dish, spread half the bag of chips over the bottom of the pan. 
2. Spoon half the bean mixture over the chips and gently spread evenly. 
3. Sprinkle half the beef mixture over the bean mixture. 
4. Sprinkle half the cheese over the beef and top cheese with half the jalapenos.
5. Repeat layering with the rest of the chips, then beans, then beef, then cheese and jalapenos. 

Finishing-

1. Bake until cheese in melted and nachos are heated through. 12-15 minutes. 
2. Serve with sour cream and Salsa Verde Cruda or Salsa Roja or jarred salsa. 

*Feel free to make this recipe less spicy by using less or omitting the pickled jalapenos from the various steps where they are used and adjusting the amount of chipotle pepper and adobo sauce used.