Nachos

Optional: melt 3 ounces of cream cheese in with the refried beans while they are warming. Top with sour cream, green onions, chopped tomatoes or sliced black olives.

• Ready In: 40 mins
• Serves: 8

Ingredients

• 1  lb ground beef
• 1  onion, finely diced
• 1 -2  tablespoon garlic, minced
• 1  jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped (or to taste)
• 1  small green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
• 1 (1 1/4ounce) package  taco seasoning
• 1 (16 ounce) can  refried beans
• 2  cups  shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 (13 ounce) package tortilla chips

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. In a large skillet cook the ground beef with onions, garlic, jalapeno peppers, green bell pepper and taco seasoning over medium heat; cook stirring until meat is no longer pink; drain all fat well, continue to cook until the meat is well browned (the beef must be well browned!). Break the meat into very small pieces while it is cooking as well.
3. Warm the refried beans a small sauce pan.
4. Lightly spray a 9 x 13 glass baking dish with cooking spray. Arrange the chips in the baking dish. Bake from 5 - 10 minutes depending on how crispy you like your chips.
5. Remove the dish from the oven and spread the beans over top of the chips. Layer with 1/2 of the cheese, the ground beef mixture, and remaining cheese. Put dish back in the oven until the cheese melts, about 3 - 5 minutes.