Cheesy Loaded Nachos Tower — Step-by-Step Recipe
Cheesy Loaded Nachos Tower

Serves 4–6 | Prep 10 min | Cook 10–12 min | Total ~25 min

300–350 g (10–12 oz) tortilla chips (sturdy, restaurant-style)
400 g (14 oz) canned black beans or refried beans, drained/rinsed
250 g (2 cups) shredded cheddar cheese
150 g (1½ cups) shredded monterey jack or mozzarella
150 g (5 oz) cooked seasoned ground beef or shredded rotisserie chicken (optional)
1 cup fresh salsa or pico de gallo
2–3 jalapeños, sliced (pickled or fresh)
1 small red onion, finely chopped
1 ripe avocado — diced or mashed into guacamole
½ cup sliced black olives (optional)
3 tbsp chopped cilantro
Sour cream or crema, for drizzling
Lime wedges, to serve
Optional: pickled jalapeños, sliced tomatoes, corn kernels

Method — Step by step

Preheat oven to 200°C / 400°F (fan 180°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment for easy cleanup.
If using, warm your beans and seasoned meat in a pan; season to taste (salt, cumin, chili powder). Keep warm.
Start the base layer: spread a single, even layer of chips on the baking sheet leaving a small gap in the centre if you want to place a ramekin for dip later.
Sprinkle a handful of cheddar + monterey jack over the chips (this helps the layers stick). Add a scatter of beans, some meat, red onion, a few jalapeño slices, and a few olive slices.
Repeat: add another layer of chips, then more cheese, beans/meat, jalapeños, and onions. Continue until you’ve used most ingredients — aim for 3–4 layers so the tower holds. Press down gently as you build.
Finish with a generous final layer of cheese on top (this creates the gooey crown).
Bake 8–12 minutes, until cheese is fully melted and bubbling and edges of chips are turning golden.
Remove from oven. Immediately top with fresh salsa, diced avocado or guacamole, cilantro, a drizzle of sour cream, and lime wedges. If using a ramekin dip, place it in the centre before serving.
To serve: break the stack apart with large spatulas or plates to get glorious cheese pulls. Enjoy hot.

Use two types of cheese for stretch (mozzarella) + flavour (sharp cheddar).
For crunch retention, pull out heavily loaded portions first — overbaked chips can go soggy under too much sauce.
Vegetarian: skip meat and add roasted corn, bell peppers, and extra beans.
Make it party-ready: prepare toppings ahead, assemble just before baking.
For a vertical “tower” look, use a round cake ring and build inside it; remove ring before baking or carefully lift it off after melting (advanced).