# What You Need:
→ Base
01 - 7 oz tortilla chips, plain or lightly salted
→ Cheese
02 - 7 oz shredded cheddar cheese
03 - 3.5 oz Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
→ Beans
04 - 5 oz canned black beans, rinsed and drained
→ Toppings
05 - 2 fresh jalapeños, thinly sliced
06 - 3.5 oz cherry tomatoes, diced
07 - 1 small red onion, finely chopped
08 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
09 - 1 ripe avocado, diced
10 - 4 tablespoons sour cream
11 - 4 tablespoons salsa
→ Optional Meat
12 - 7 oz ground beef
13 - 1 teaspoon olive oil
14 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
15 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
16 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
# Directions:
01 - Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Cook, breaking up meat with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, approximately 5-6 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
02 - Set oven to 400°F to ensure proper melting temperature for the cheese layer.
03 - Spread tortilla chips in a single even layer across a large ovenproof platter or baking sheet, ensuring consistent coverage for even topping distribution.
04 - Distribute black beans evenly over chips. Cover completely with shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses. Add prepared ground beef if using.
05 - Scatter sliced jalapeños and half the chopped red onion across the cheese layer for balanced heat distribution.
06 - Bake in preheated oven for 8-10 minutes until cheese is fully melted, bubbly, and beginning to brown at edges.
07 - Remove from oven. Top immediately with diced cherry tomatoes, avocado, remaining red onion, and chopped cilantro while hot.
08 - Serve immediately while cheese remains melted. Offer sour cream and salsa on the side for individual customization.
