Name: Nacho Pie
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 1 lb. ground beef; ½ onion (chopped); 1 packet taco seasoning; 8 oz. can (tomato sauce); 15 oz. can (black beans); 1½ cups broken/crushed tortilla chips; 1 cup sour cream; 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese; salsa; chopped jalapeño peppers; chopped green onion; chopped fresh cilantro

By Krista Teigen

Published Jun 22, 2026

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This nacho pie is everything you love about loaded nachos baked into one cozy, cheesy casserole. Layers of seasoned ground beef, black beans, creamy sour cream, melty cheddar cheese, and crunchy tortilla chips come together in just 35 minutes for an easy dinner that always disappears fast. It’s hearty, customizable, and perfect for busy weeknights, game days, or casual family dinners when you want something comforting without a lot of effort.

Slice of cheesy nacho pie topped with black beans, jalapeños, green onions, and cilantro on a gray plate

This nacho pie is the kind of fun, crowd-pleasing dinner my family gets way too excited about. The second I start setting out bowls of toppings, everyone suddenly wants to help layer the cheese, crush the tortilla chips, or claim their spot at the counter first. I wanted this recipe to have all the best parts of loaded nachos while still feeling hearty enough for dinner, so the layers stay creamy and cheesy without turning soggy or falling apart when you scoop into it. Letting the casserole rest for a few minutes after baking helps everything set up perfectly, so you still get those crunchy chips, gooey cheese pulls, and flavorful taco layers in every bite. It’s cozy, customizable, and just as perfect for busy weeknights as it is for game days or casual parties with friends.

Tips for Beginners

Let the casserole rest before slicing. I tested this recipe several times, and the resting step makes a huge difference. If you slice it immediately out of the oven, the layers slide apart and feel more like a dip. Giving it 10 minutes helps everything set into cleaner slices.
Use sturdy tortilla chips. Thin restaurant-style chips can soften too quickly in the oven. I like using thicker tortilla chips because they hold their crunch better after baking.
Drain the beef well. Even slightly greasy beef can make the casserole oily. I recommend draining the skillet thoroughly before adding the taco seasoning and tomato sauce.
Don’t overbake it. The casserole only needs enough time to melt the cheese and heat through. Baking too long can make the chips soggy and dry out the beef layer.
Customize the toppings. One of my favorite things about this recipe is how easy it is to make it your own. Add hot sauce, avocado, shredded lettuce, pico de gallo, or extra jalapeños, depending on how loaded you like your nachos.

How to Make Nacho Pie Step by Step

Gather the ingredients: Gather all the ingredients together. Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly grease a casserole dish with nonstick spray.

Ground beef taco filling cooking in a skillet with onions, taco seasoning, and tomato sauce

Cook the beef: Add 1 lb ground beef and ½ chopped onion to a large skillet over medium heat. Cook for 6–8 minutes, breaking up the beef as it cooks, until the meat is fully browned and the onions are soft and translucent. Drain any excess grease from the skillet so the casserole doesn’t turn oily. Stir 1 packet taco seasoning and 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce into the cooked beef mixture until everything is evenly coated. Let the mixture simmer for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened and saucy.

Taco-seasoned ground beef spread into the bottom of a pie dish for nacho pie

Layer the pie: Spread the taco meat mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared casserole dish.

Layer of black beans spread over seasoned taco meat in a pie dish

Add the beans: Spoon 1 can (15 oz) black beans evenly over the beef layer.

sour cream spread over black beans for nacho pie

Spread the sour cream: Then gently spread 1 cup of sour cream across the top. It’s okay if the sour cream doesn’t spread perfectly smooth.

Nacho pie topped with shredded cheddar cheese and crushed tortilla chips before baking

Add the toppings: Sprinkle 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the sour cream layer, then finish with 1½ cups broken tortilla chips across the top for extra crunch.

Baked nacho pie with melted cheddar cheese and crispy tortilla chips fresh from the oven

Bake: Bake for 15 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and the edges are hot and bubbly.

Spoon lifting a cheesy serving of nacho pie topped with salsa, jalapeños, and green onions from the baking dish

Rest and serve: Let the nacho pie rest for 10 minutes before slicing so the layers can firm up slightly and hold together better when served. Top with salsa, chopped jalapeños, green onions, and fresh cilantro right before serving.

Variations

Swap the protein. Use ground turkey, shredded rotisserie chicken, or even chorizo instead of ground beef for a different flavor.
Make it spicy. Add diced jalapeños directly into the beef mixture or drizzle hot sauce between the layers before baking.
Change the beans or skip them entirely. Black beans, pinto beans, or refried beans all work well here, or you can leave the beans out completely if your family prefers a meatier nacho pie.
Use a different cheese. Pepper Jack adds extra heat, while a Mexican cheese blend melts beautifully and gives the casserole even more flavor.
Add more toppings. I love loading this up with shredded lettuce, diced avocado, pico de gallo, black olives, or crushed Doritos after baking.
Add a crunchy topping. Mix the crushed tortilla chips with a little melted butter before baking for an even crispier topping.
Make it extra cheesy. Add another layer of cheese between the beans and sour cream for more gooey melted cheese throughout the casserole.

How to Store and Reheat

Store leftover nacho pie in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The tortilla chips soften a bit as the casserole sits, but the flavor gets even better the next day.

Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 1–2 minutes or warm larger portions in a 350°F oven until hot all the way through. I like adding a handful of fresh tortilla chips and an extra sprinkle of cheese on top before serving leftovers to bring back some crunch.

If you want to make this ahead, assemble the casserole up to 1 day in advance, cover tightly, and refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake. Add the tortilla chips right before baking, so they stay crisp.

Serving Suggestions

I had this nacho pie waiting for my kids after a night packed with after-school activities, and let’s just say the pan barely made it to the table before everyone started digging in. It’s the kind of fun, cozy dinner that feels a little like game day food but is still hearty enough for a real weeknight meal. I love serving it with a big bowl of guacamole and extra tortilla chips for scooping up all the cheesy layers. If I have a little extra time, I’ll make a side of Mexican rice or street corn salad to round everything out. For parties or casual get-togethers, I like turning it into a full topping bar with shredded lettuce, pico de gallo, sliced avocado, hot sauce, and extra jalapeños so everyone can customize their own slice. It also pairs perfectly with cold margaritas, fizzy sodas, or a pitcher of sweet tea for an easy crowd-friendly dinner.

More Nacho Recipes

Grilled Chicken Nachos: These grilled chicken nachos are loaded with melty cheese, juicy chicken, and fresh toppings, with two easy flavor variations that make them perfect for game days, cookouts, or easy family dinners.
Trash Can Nachos: These loaded trash can nachos pile crispy chips high with melty cheese, seasoned beef, and tons of toppings for the ultimate game day snack.
Nacho Cheese Sauce: This homemade nacho cheese sauce is smooth, creamy, and packed with cheesy flavor, making it perfect for drizzling over nachos, tacos, fries, or dipping tortilla chips.
Foil Packet Nachos: These foil packet nachos layer chips, cheese, and toppings into easy individual servings that are perfect for camping trips, cookouts, game days, or fun family dinners outside.