11 Tasty Nachos Recipes That Will Completely Change the Way You Think About Chips and Cheese (2024)

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Think outside the chip bag with these creative homemade nachos.

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11 Tasty Nachos Recipes That Will Completely Change the Way You Think About Chips and Cheese (1)

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Updated on February 04, 2021

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11 Tasty Nachos Recipes That Will Completely Change the Way You Think About Chips and Cheese (2)

If we could all eat nachos every day, the world might be a brighter, happier place. Really, though, beyond nutritional concerns, there's no real reason you can't eat nachos every day if you change up your nachos recipes enough—and with the right ingredients, you can even make nachos borderline healthy. (Or at least healthy enough to be counted among the healthy Super Bowl snacks.)

Homemade nachos can be just as tasty as the stadium or restaurant thing, and they can be healthier, too. Again, it's all in the topping choices, and with the right ones—think butternut squash—you can turn this indulgent Super Bowl food into a full meal for a crowd.

While Asian nachos offer a delicious spin on the classic chips-and-cheese base, there are plenty of other ways to change up your nachos dish. Best of all, you can set up a toppings bar, so even the pickiest eater can put exactly what they want on their plate. From chicken nachos to vegetarian nachos recipes, this list has it all—but before you look through all our recipes, check out our helpful guide to making nachos at home. You may just be inspired to put together your own nachos combo. If not, never fear—more recipes await.

How to make nachos

11 Tasty Nachos Recipes That Will Completely Change the Way You Think About Chips and Cheese (3)

No-fail nachos recipes

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Cheesy Chicken Nachos

11 Tasty Nachos Recipes That Will Completely Change the Way You Think About Chips and Cheese (4)

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Turn a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken into the nachos recipe of your dreams with this easy dish, which bakes in the oven and has plenty of opportunities for you to add or take away the ingredients of your choice.

02of 11

Not-So-Average Nachos

11 Tasty Nachos Recipes That Will Completely Change the Way You Think About Chips and Cheese (5)

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For chicken nachos unlike anything you've tried before, turn to this take on the dish. You'll pre-melt the cheese—using 1 percent milk for a lighter topping—and pour them directly over your chips, no baking necessary. Your chips will stay fresh-from-the-bag crispy, and you'll have the same gooey, delicious mess of a dish you know and love.

03of 11

Barbecue Chicken Nachos

11 Tasty Nachos Recipes That Will Completely Change the Way You Think About Chips and Cheese (6)

For a fun twist, change up your typical nacho toppings with shredded rotisserie chicken, barbecue sauce, and Cheddar.

04of 11

Green Chile Steak Nachos

11 Tasty Nachos Recipes That Will Completely Change the Way You Think About Chips and Cheese (7)

The addition of seared skirt steak makes these nachos feel positively classy. With green chiles, radish, and red onion on top of the two-blend cheese, it's sure to be a crowd-pleaser at any gathering.

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Sheet Pan Sweet Potato Nachos

11 Tasty Nachos Recipes That Will Completely Change the Way You Think About Chips and Cheese (8)

For vegetarian nachos, this easy dish is just the thing—and it's plenty filling, too. Roasted, sliced sweet potatoes replace tortilla chips for a more veggie-focused meal. With black beans, toasted pumpkin seeds, and cotija cheese on top, it's an explosion of high-end ingredients—and flavors.

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Single-Serve Nacho Cups

11 Tasty Nachos Recipes That Will Completely Change the Way You Think About Chips and Cheese (9)

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Enjoy all the flavors of nachos without the mess with this recipe, which calls for baking your chips and ingredients in a muffin tin so it's all pre-portioned (and more sanitary to share).

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Spicy Corn and Chorizo Nachos

11 Tasty Nachos Recipes That Will Completely Change the Way You Think About Chips and Cheese (10)

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Pickled jalapeño slices provide a spicy kick balanced out by sweet kernels of corn.

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Braised Pork and Squash Nachos

11 Tasty Nachos Recipes That Will Completely Change the Way You Think About Chips and Cheese (11)

Surprise: Butternut squash is the nachos ingredient you never knew you needed. Paired with shredded pork for protein (and rich, tender flavor), this nachos recipe will raise a few eyebrows—and then have everyone coming back for seconds.

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Breakfast Nachos

11 Tasty Nachos Recipes That Will Completely Change the Way You Think About Chips and Cheese (12)

While this dish is an unbeatable hangover cure, it's also a must-try for breakfast fans everywhere. Loaded with hash browns, breakfast sausage, and fried egg, it's got everything you want for breakfast (or breakfast for dinner) in every bite.

10of 11

Mango Chutney and Yogurt Nachos

11 Tasty Nachos Recipes That Will Completely Change the Way You Think About Chips and Cheese (13)

Give nachos a surprising Indian-inspired spin with mango chutney, yogurt, and cilantro—all with the necessary melted cheese, of course.

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Nachos With Fresh Corn Salsa

11 Tasty Nachos Recipes That Will Completely Change the Way You Think About Chips and Cheese (14)

For a lighter nacho option, try adding a corn, red onion, and jalapeño blend on top of the essential cheese-over-chips. Sprinkle with avocado and sour cream for a snack that feels plenty filling without getting too heavy.

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11 Tasty Nachos Recipes That Will Completely Change the Way You Think About Chips and Cheese (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to making good nachos? ›

How to Make Nachos
  1. Keep it neat. Line your sheet pan with aluminum foil for super-easy clean-up. ...
  2. Layer up the pan with your chips, cheese, and toppings. ...
  3. Bake in a hot oven preheated to 400 degrees. ...
  4. Let your nachos cool for just a minute, then slap on your cold toppings and enjoy!
Sep 15, 2020

What cheese is best with nachos? ›

Cheddar cheese is a popular choice these days, though Monterey Jack and Mozzarella work just as well. Nacho cheese, or cheese sauce, is another delightful interpretation of this key ingredient. To transform your nachos into a heartier snack or even a main meal, consider adding a meat filling.

What is the best order for nachos? ›

Spread out a layer of chips, followed by an even distribution of meat and beans, then lots--I mean lots--of cheese. Complete coverage guarantees you don't commit the cardinal sin of nacho making: the sad chip with no topping. Repeat until you have an impressive tray a few layers high, then bake.

What toppings do you put on nachos? ›

Toppings
  1. large tomato, finely chopped.
  2. avocado, finely chopped.
  3. 1/4 c. fresh cilantro leaves (optional)
  4. 1/4 c. thinly sliced scallions.
  5. Sour cream and hot sauce, for drizzling.
Apr 8, 2024

What is the secret to crispy nachos? ›

Limiting the number of ingredients baked with the chips is the key to crispiness. Top chips with no more than two or three toppings. Choose from items such as black beans, refried beans, chopped grilled chicken, seasoned ground beef (browned and drained), or chopped jalapenos.

Why is nachos good? ›

The beans and fresh vegetables in nachos provide a good source of dietary fibre, vitamins, and minerals. Micronutrients and a fibre-rich diet benefit gut health, weight loss, blood glucose control, constipation prevention, and cardiovascular health.

Why are my nachos soggy? ›

Cook at a higher heat, limit ingredients and amounts that are loose (refried beans, chili, etc. When stacking the nachos, add ingredients to each stack watching the amount. I like to keep my nachos from getting soggy in the oven by using a preheated oven and cooking them on a high heat for a shorter amount of time.

What is tasty cheese? ›

Cheddar is the variety of cheese, “tasty” is the term to describe the age, texture and flavour. Mild cheddar matures for one to three months. Semi-matured matures for three to six months. Matured or tasty matures for six to 12 months. Vintage matures for 12 to 24 months.

How to jazz up nachos? ›

If you feel like revving up your nacho game, try topping them with grilled shrimp, doused in lime juice and some chipotle chili powder. Add grated Monterey Jack, sliced avocado, some seeded and sliced jalapenos and queso fresco to top it off.

Are nachos a snack or a meal? ›

At its most basic form, nachos may consist of merely chips covered with cheese (usually Cheddar or American Cheese), and served as an appetizer or snack, while other versions are substantial enough as a main course.

How do you layer nachos so they don't get soggy? ›

* Bring refrigerated toppings to room temperature before piling them onto the warm chips. * To prevent the chips from getting soggy, sprinkle grated or crumbled cheese on top and bake them in the oven for a few minutes. When melted, the cheese will act as a buffer between the chips and toppings.

What does Taco Bell put on their nachos? ›

What's in Taco Bell's Nachos? Crispy tortilla chips, seasoned beef, warm Nacho Cheese Sauce, reduced fat sour cream, refried beans and diced tomatoes - can you imagine anything more delicious? At Taco Bell, we don't need to call it anything else but perfection.

Are nachos a main meal? ›

Nachos are typically served as a snack or an appetizer. You'd serve a meat, and vegetables, maybe a soup for the dinner. If you're going with them as the main dish, put the meat right in them… steak, ground beef, cooked with Mexican spices, or chicken, even fish.

How many layers should nachos be? ›

As many as you like. I usually have one layer of chips, then cheese, more chips, meat of choice, choped tomatoes, onion, cliantro, salsa and sour cream. How do you make nachos that stay nice and crunchy while you're eating them? Pretty much every single item in your nacho toppings will have some degree of moisture.

Do you put cheese or toppings first on nachos? ›

To make sure every chip is covered in cheese, lay down the cheese on the chips first. The cheese will serve as a blanket, protecting the chips from liquidy, sog-inducing toppings.

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