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Cheesecake Factory Copycat Nachos

Cheesecake Factory Copycat Nachos - recipe card
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These loaded nachos replicate the indulgent, fully-loaded platter from Cheesecake Factory with seasoned ground beef, creamy cheese sauce, refried beans, and fresh toppings. Crispy tortilla chips are baked until bubbly, then finished with cool sour cream, guacamole, and pico de gallo for a crowd-pleasing appetizer or game-day main.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20)
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup yellow onion, finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (about 2 cups)
  • 3/4 cup whole milk
  • 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 1 can (15 oz) refried beans
  • 12 oz restaurant-style tortilla chips
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup prepared guacamole
  • 1/2 cup pico de gallo
  • 1/4 cup pickled jalapeno slices

Instructions

  1. Position an oven rack in the center and preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
  2. Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until the oil shimmers. Add 1/2 cup diced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 3–4 minutes. Add 2 cloves minced garlic and cook just until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
  3. Add 1 lb ground beef to the skillet. Break the meat into small pieces with a wooden spoon or spatula. Cook without stirring for 2 minutes to get a good sear, then stir and continue cooking until the beef is browned and no longer pink, about 6–7 minutes total. Drain off excess fat if necessary.
  4. Sprinkle 1 tbsp chili powder, 1 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp pepper over the beef. Stir well to coat, then remove the skillet from heat and set aside.
  5. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt 1 tbsp butter (if using a roux) or simply melt the cheese directly with milk. For a smooth cheese sauce, melt 1 tbsp butter, then whisk in 1 tbsp all-purpose flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Gradually pour in 3/4 cup whole milk, whisking until smooth and slightly thickened, about 2 minutes.
  6. Reduce heat to low. Add 8 oz shredded cheddar cheese a handful at a time, stirring continuously until each addition is fully melted before adding the next. Keep the sauce warm; if it thickens too much, stir in a splash of milk. Season with a pinch of salt if desired.
  7. In a small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl, warm the can of refried beans until hot and spreadable. If microwaving, heat in 30-second bursts, stirring in between, for about 1 minute total.
  8. Spread about half of the tortilla chips in an even layer on the prepared baking sheet. Spoon the warm refried beans in dollops over the chips, then scatter the seasoned ground beef evenly over the beans. Drizzle about two-thirds of the cheese sauce over the beef and chips.
  9. Top with the remaining tortilla chips, then dollop the remaining refried beans and ground beef on top. Drizzle the remaining cheese sauce over everything. If you like extra crunch, reserve some chips for the final layer.
  10. Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 8–10 minutes, until the cheese sauce is bubbly and the edges of the chips are lightly toasted. Watch carefully to prevent burning. Remove from the oven and let rest for 2 minutes.
  11. While the nachos are still hot, dollop spoonfuls of sour cream and guacamole over the surface. Scatter pico de gallo and pickled jalapeno slices evenly across the top. Serve immediately while the chips are crisp and the cheese is gooey.

Notes

Store leftover nachos (without cold toppings) in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, spread on a baking sheet and warm in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5–7 minutes, or until hot and chips crisp back up. Do not microwave, as chips will become soggy. Add fresh cold toppings just before serving. For a lighter version, substitute ground turkey and use reduced-fat cheese sauce.

Nutrition

Keywords: Cheesecake Factory nachos copycat, loaded nachos, baked nachos, ground beef nachos, cheese sauce, refried beans, tortilla chips, Tex-Mex appetizer, party food, game day snack, oven nachos

Find it online: https://copycatkitchenco.com/cheesecake-factory-copycat-nachos/