Heat a medium saucepan over medium heat until hot. Add the ground beef or turkey to the pan, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Cook the meat for 6-8 minutes, stirring frequently to ensure even browning.

Once the meat is completely browned and no pink remains, carefully drain the excess grease from the pan. Tilt the pan slightly and use a spoon to remove the fat, or drain through a fine-mesh strainer if preferred.

Return the drained meat to the pan and stir in the entire packet of taco seasoning. Mix thoroughly to ensure all meat is evenly coated with the seasoning blend. Cook for an additional 2 minutes to allow the spices to bloom and develop their full flavor.

Remove the seasoned meat from heat and set aside. The meat should be well-browned, fragrant, and evenly coated with taco seasoning for authentic Denny’s zesty nachos flavor.

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and allow it to reach full temperature before proceeding. This temperature ensures the cheese melts perfectly without burning the tortilla chips underneath.

Position an oven rack in the center of the oven for even heat distribution. If your oven tends to run hot or cold, adjust the temperature accordingly to prevent over-browning.

Select a large rimmed baking sheet or sheet pan that can accommodate all the tortilla chips in a relatively even layer. Line with parchment paper if desired for easier cleanup.

Spread the tortilla chips evenly across the baking sheet, ensuring they overlap slightly but aren’t piled too high. Choose thick, sturdy chips that won’t break under the weight of toppings, just like Denny’s nachos use.

Arrange the chips so that most pieces are accessible for toppings. Avoid creating deep layers where some chips won’t receive any cheese or meat.

Open the can of refried beans and warm them slightly in the microwave for 30-45 seconds to make them easier to spread. Using a small spoon, add small dollops of refried beans scattered across the tortilla chips.

Don’t worry about covering every chip with beans – the goal is to distribute them evenly so each serving gets some beans. The beans add authentic Denny’s zesty nachos flavor and help bind the toppings together.

Sprinkle the cooked and seasoned meat evenly over the chips and beans. Distribute the meat so that it covers most areas of the chip layer, ensuring every bite will have some of that delicious taco-seasoned flavor.

Generously sprinkle the shredded cheese over the entire surface of chips, beans, and meat. Use about 2 cups total, ensuring good coverage across all the chips. The cheese acts as a “glue” that holds all the toppings together.

For best melting results, use cheese that’s been stored at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before use. Cold cheese takes longer to melt and may not distribute as evenly.

Make sure to get cheese into the crevices between chips so that when it melts, it creates those signature cheese pulls that make Denny’s zesty nachos so irresistible.

Carefully place the loaded baking sheet in the preheated oven. Bake for 10-12 minutes, watching carefully during the last few minutes to prevent over-browning.

The nachos are ready when the cheese is completely melted, bubbly, and just starting to turn golden in spots. The edges of some chips may brown slightly, which adds to the authentic restaurant flavor.

Remove from the oven using oven mitts and place on a heat-safe surface. The pan will be very hot, so handle with care throughout the process.

Working quickly while the cheese is still hot and melted, add the cold toppings for the perfect temperature contrast. Sprinkle diced tomatoes evenly across the nachos, followed by pickled jalapeño slices for that signature Denny’s nachos heat.

Add sliced black olives and diced red onions if using. These optional ingredients add extra flavor and texture that complement the main components beautifully.

Using small spoons, add dollops of sour cream and guacamole across the surface. Don’t try to spread them – the dollops will naturally spread slightly and look more appetizing as individual portions.

Sprinkle fresh chopped cilantro generously over the entire surface as the final garnish. The bright green color and fresh flavor provide the perfect finishing touch to these loaded nachos.

Serve immediately while the cheese is still hot and gooey. Provide serving spoons or spatulas so guests can easily scoop up portions with all the toppings intact.

Present the Denny’s zesty nachos on the baking sheet for casual serving, or transfer portions to individual plates for a more formal presentation.