Big Mac Nachos

Ingredients

• 1.5 lb ground beef
• 1 tsp olive oil (for frying)
• 1 tsp garlic powder (for seasoning the beef)
• 1 tsp onion powder (for seasoning the beef)
• 0.5 tsp salt (for seasoning the beef; adjust to taste)
• 2 cup mayonnaise (The author suggests plain nonfat Greek yogurt as a lower-fat alternative.)
• 0.333 cup sour cream
• 0.5 cup sweet pickle relish
• 0.333 cup white onion (chopped fine, for the dressing)
• 3 tbsp white vinegar
• 3 tbsp ketchup
• 2 tbsp mustard
• 1 tsp garlic powder (for the dressing)
• 1 tsp onion powder (for the dressing)
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 clove garlic (chopped fine, for the dressing)
• 0.25 tsp salt (for the dressing)
• nacho chips (Use enough to cover the baking pan; amount not specified.)
• cheddar cheese (shredded; amount not specified)
• white onion (chopped fine, for layering and topping; amount not specified)
• pickles (chopped; amount not specified)
• lettuce (chopped; amount not specified)
• sesame seeds (for topping; amount not specified)

Steps

1. 1

   Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan. Once hot, add the ground beef, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. Fry for about 5–7 minutes, breaking up the meat as it cooks, until the beef is cooked through. Adjust the seasoning to taste, then set the beef aside.

2. 2

   Prepare the Thousand Island dressing by mixing the mayonnaise, sour cream, sweet pickle relish, finely chopped white onion, white vinegar, ketchup, mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, finely chopped garlic, and salt. Mix well, taste, and set aside.

3. 3

   Chop the onion, lettuce, and pickles and set them aside for assembling the nachos.

4. 4

   Heat the oven to 400°F (the source does not specify whether to use conventional or fan settings). In a large baking pan, begin building the nachos with a layer of chips.

5. 5

   Layer shredded cheddar cheese over the chips, followed by the cooked beef and finely chopped white onion.

6. 6

   Repeat the chip, cheese, beef, and onion layers at least once more.

7. 7

   Bake at 400°F for 10–15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.

8. 8

   Top the baked nachos with the chopped lettuce, chopped pickles, and sesame seeds.

9. 9

   Drizzle the Thousand Island dressing over the nachos. Reserve some dressing on the side for dipping.

10. 10

    Enjoy immediately.

Notes

The full dressing recipe makes a generous amount; the author recommends halving it when cooking for two people. Extra dressing keeps refrigerated for 5–7 days and can be used on burgers or salads. Ground turkey can replace the ground beef. The author recommends adding the lettuce and pickles after baking for better crunch, although pickles may be baked with the cheese and beef if preferred.

Nutrition per serving

• appetizer
• American
• nachos
• ground beef
• baked
• cheesy
• party food
• date night