Sloppy Joe Nachos
Nachos just got an upgrade! Here we’re loading up tortilla chips with saucy, sloppy Joe–style ground beef, plenty of melty cheese, and all the good toppings— think pickles, sour cream, and chopped green onions—for a fun, super shareable meal that works just as well for dinner as it does for casual entertaining and parties.
My little girl is going through a bit of a fussy eating stage, but one thing she’ll always devour is a plate of tortilla chips. So I did some experimenting with ways to turn them into a meal with extra protein and familiar flavors, and these Sloppy Joe nachos were an instant hit.
They’ve quickly become a weeknight favorite in our home, and I also recently prepped a tray of them when we had guests over for drinks and some snacks. Everyone loved them, and I think you will too!
By the way, I think you’ll also like my loaded tater tot nachos!
Ingredients
Note: You’ll find a printable recipe card at the bottom of this post!
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Ground beef: Classic sloppy Joe choice and easy to work with. You can use lean ground beef to cut down on grease, or swap in ground turkey if you prefer.
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White onion: Adds that familiar savory base flavor. Dice it fairly small so it melts right into the meat.
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Olive oil: Helps soften the onion and keeps everything from sticking to the pan.
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Tomato sauce: Creates the saucy base for the sloppy Joe mixture without making it too thick or sweet.
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Yellow mustard: Adds tang and gives the sauce that classic sloppy Joe flavor.
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Ketchup: Brings a little sweetness and helps balance the tangy ingredients.
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BBQ sauce: Adds depth and a hint of smokiness. Use your favorite brand. Nothing fancy required.
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Salt: Season to taste once the sauce comes together.
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Tortilla chips: Choose sturdy chips that can handle the toppings without breaking. Thin chips can get soggy fast.
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Shredded cheddar cheese: Melts well and pairs perfectly with the sloppy Joe flavor. Colby Jack or a cheddar blend also work great.
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Dill pickles: The salty, tangy bite cuts through the richness and really makes these nachos pop.
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Sour cream: Optional, but great for cooling everything down.
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Green onion: Adds a fresh finish and a little color right before serving.
How To Make Sloppy Joe Nachos
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Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 3–5 minutes, until softened.
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Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up as it browns, for 7–10 minutes. Drain off any excess grease if needed.
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Stir in the tomato sauce, mustard, ketchup, BBQ sauce, and salt. Lower the heat and let it simmer for 3–5 minutes, until thickened.
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Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a 9×13-inch baking sheet with parchment paper.
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Spread the tortilla chips out in an even layer, then spoon the sloppy joe mixture over the top.
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Sprinkle the shredded cheddar evenly over everything.
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Bake uncovered for 7–10 minutes, just until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
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Remove from the oven and finish with chopped pickles, sour cream, and green onions. Serve right away and dig in.
Storage
These sloppy Joe nachos are best served right away while the chips are still crispy. That said, I’ve never actually had leftovers, so take that as a good sign! If you do happen to have extra sloppy Joe meat, it keeps well in the fridge and can be reheated and served over fresh chips later.
Variations
Swap the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken if you want something a little lighter. Pepper jack or Colby Jack cheese adds a nice twist if you want more melt or a little heat. For a spicy version, stir in hot sauce or a pinch of chili flakes to the sloppy Joe mixture. If pickles aren’t your thing, try diced jalapeños or banana peppers instead. And for a heartier, party-style tray, add a second layer of chips, meat, and cheese before baking.
Serving Ideas
These are great as a fun family dinner when you want something different but still easy. They’re also perfect for casual entertaining. Just set the tray in the middle of the table and let everyone dig in. For parties or game day, serve them alongside extra toppings like sour cream, pickles, or green onions so everyone can customize their plate. If you want to stretch them into more of a meal, add a simple side like a chopped salad or some cut fruit to balance things out.
Sloppy Joe Nachos
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- ½ cup white onion diced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 tbsp yellow mustard
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp BBQ sauce
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 9 oz bag tortilla chips
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup dill pickle slices roughly chopped
- Sour cream for serving
- Green onion sliced for garnish
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 3–5 minutes, until softened.
- Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up as it browns, for 7–10 minutes. Drain off any excess grease if needed.
- Stir in the tomato sauce, mustard, ketchup, BBQ sauce, and salt. Lower the heat and let it simmer for 3–5 minutes, until thickened.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a 9×13-inch baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Spread the tortilla chips out in an even layer, then spoon the sloppy joe mixture over the top.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheddar evenly over everything.
- Bake uncovered for 7–10 minutes, just until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and finish with chopped pickles, sour cream, and green onions. Serve right away and dig in.
They’re easy, they’re fun, and they’re a dinner that everyone wants to eat! If you try these, I’d really love to hear your thoughts. You can leave a comment below, and tag me on Instagram @slimmingviolet and #slimmingviolet.
