Loaded Nachos
Savory Mexican Meat Sauce

Crispy homemade corn tortilla chips meet a rich, savory beef and tomato sauce finished with stretchy melted mozzarella. A perfect 20-minute party snack.

Ingredients

• 10 yellow corn tortillas
• 500 ml vegetable oil for frying
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 white onion, diced
• 2 red tomatoes, diced
• 250 g ground beef
• 100 ml thick tomato sauce
• to taste sea salt
• to taste black pepper
• 1 tbsp Argentine seasoning
• 100 g shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

1. 1Prepare the corn tortillas

   

   Start with a stack of fresh yellow corn tortillas. These will serve as the base for the chips, so ensure they are at room temperature to prevent them from cracking when you begin the cutting process.

   Tip: If your tortillas are very cold or stiff, you can wrap them in a damp paper towel and microwave them for 15 seconds to make them more pliable.
2. 2Cut tortillas into triangles

   

   Place the stack of tortillas on a cutting board and use a sharp chefs knife to cut them into triangular quarters. A simple cross-cut (one vertical and one horizontal) will create perfect, uniform chips for frying.

   Tip: Stacking the tortillas allows you to cut multiple layers at once, which ensures consistency and speeds up the prep work.
3. 3Load the fryer basket

   

   Carefully transfer the cut tortilla triangles into the deep fryer basket. Be sure to spread them out slightly so they dont stick together immediately upon hitting the hot oil.

   Tip: Dont overcrowd the basket; frying in smaller batches ensures every chip has enough space to crisp up properly.
4. 4Fry until golden and crisp

   

   Lower the basket into the oil heated to 170°C. Fry the chips for approximately 30 seconds. Watch for the vigorous bubbling to subside and listen for a crisp sound when the basket is shaken, indicating they are ready.

   Tip: The oil temperature is key—if its too low, the chips will soak up too much oil and become greasy rather than crunchy.
5. 5Heat the olive oil

   

   While the chips are draining, start the meat sauce by pouring olive oil into a stainless steel pan. Set the heat to medium-high and wait for the oil to shimmer before adding your ingredients.

   Tip: Using a high-quality olive oil provides a rich flavor base that complements the Mexican seasonings used later in the recipe.
6. 6Sauté the chopped onions

   

   Add the diced white onions to the hot oil. Sauté them over high heat, stirring frequently, until they become fragrant and start to turn translucent. This creates the primary flavor foundation for the meat sauce.

   Tip: Sautéing over high heat helps caramelize the natural sugars in the onion, giving the sauce a deeper, more complex taste.
7. 7Add the diced tomatoes

   

   Add the diced red tomatoes into the pan with the sautéed onions. Stir-fry the mixture vigorously over high heat, allowing the tomatoes to break down and release their juices, which will form the flavorful base of your meat sauce.

   Tip: For the best results, use very ripe tomatoes as they break down more easily and provide a natural sweetness to balance the savory beef.
8. 8Incorporate the ground beef

   

   Introduce the raw ground beef to the pan with the onions and tomatoes. Use a spatula to break the meat apart as it cooks, ensuring it mixes evenly with the vegetables and begins to brown.

   Tip: Keep the heat high during this stage to sear the meat quickly, which helps lock in the moisture and flavor.
9. 9Stir in the tomato sauce

   

   Stir a generous amount of thick tomato sauce into the meat and vegetable mixture. This ingredient enhances the overall color and provides a rich, tangy depth of flavor to the sauce.

   Tip: Stir the sauce immediately after adding to ensure the meat is thoroughly coated and the flavors meld together perfectly.
10. 10Season with salt and pepper

    

    While the meat sauce is simmering, add two rounds of sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. This balances the richness of the beef and the sweetness of the tomato sauce.

    Tip: If you prefer a bolder, more pungent flavor, use a coarse grind for the black pepper.
11. 11Add Argentine seasoning

    

    Add a spoonful of the dry Argentine seasoning blend to the simmering sauce. This unique spice mix provides an instant aromatic boost and gives the dish its signature street-food character.

    Tip: Make sure to distribute the seasoning evenly across the pan so the flavor is consistent throughout the sauce.
12. 12Finish with mozzarella

    

    Sprinkle a handful of shredded mozzarella cheese over the hot meat sauce. Stir the mixture gently until the cheese melts and becomes beautifully stringy, adding a creamy texture to the final topping.

    Tip: Add the cheese just before serving to ensure it remains gooey and elastic when poured over the corn chips.
13. 13Assemble and serve

    

    Once the cheese is perfectly melted and stringy, use a large spoon to pour the hot cheesy meat sauce over your platter of fried tortilla chips. Serve immediately while the chips are at their crispiest.

    Tip: For the best cheese pull, stir the mozzarella just until it melts and becomes stringy; over-stirring can cause the cheese to fully incorporate and lose its distinct texture.

Storage & Reheating

Burn It Off

Frequently Asked Questions