Simple, classic, and endlessly versatile,
nachos are a staple appetizer here at Delish. Whether we’re hungry for an easy movie snack or need a Super Bowl appetizer to please a hungry crowd, nachos are the answer. Our best recipe is loaded with nachos supreme-inspired toppings—melty cheese, ground beef, two types of beans, and pickled jalapeños to name a few—but you can use it as a jumping off point to add all of your favorites. Switch it up with your favorite cheese and toppings to make this game day snack completely your own.
The ingredients for nachos:
— The chips. Tortilla chips are the obvious answer here. You don’t necessarily have to use them, but you’ll be leaning away from true nacho territory. If you’re interested in non-tortilla “nachos” you could try our take on Irish nachos or St. Patrick’s Day nachos, but if you decide to stay classic, a great way to amp up the nachos is with homemade tortilla chips.
— The best cheese for nachos. We’re big fans of Monterey jack and cheddar, but your options are limitless—just make sure it melts! If you want something a bit spicy, Pepper jack is a great alternative. The only cheese we recommend that defies the melt rule is cotija. Cotija is hard Mexican cow’s milk cheese which can be added after the nachos bake. Top tip: While buying pre-shredded works for nachos, we always recommend grating your cheese yourself. It’s the key to getting the ultimate cheesy meltiness that we crave in a good nachos recipe.
— The best toppings for nachos. We’ve added an impressive load of toppings to these nachos, including ground beef, refried beans, pickled jalapeños, tomatoes, green onions, and avocado. But, you can top your nachos with whatever you want! If you want to stick with the classic vibes, we recommend guacamole, pico de gallo, shredded lettuce, cotija cheese, grilled corn, pinto beans, black olives, pickled red onions, or shredded chicken.
Nacho variations:
We went with the supreme version here, but you’ve got plenty of options when it comes to getting creative with your nachos—they’re one of the most versatile apps. Our flaming hot nachos add Flamin’ Hot cheetos, sriracha, and plenty of toppings for an extra hot version. Love the Big Mac? Incorporate all the same flavors in our Big Mac nachos. Need a creative way to use up those Thanksgiving leftovers? Our friendsgiving nachos make for the perfect post-holiday snack. If you want to up the protein, our pulled pork nachos will bring the BBQ vibes to any gathering.
Want to make vegan nachos? No prob—a lot of typical nacho toppings are naturally vegan: guacamole, beans, lettuce, jalapeños, tomatoes, and onions, and most tortilla chips that you can buy are also vegan ( check the label to be sure). You can buy vegan cheese if you want, but if you’re already in the kitchen, why not whip up a batch of our vegan chipotle queso to drizzle on top of your nachos?
Preventing soggy nachos:
It’s inevitable: nachos won’t stay crispy forever. To prevent your chips from going soggy too soon, you can take a couple of actions. You can pre-bake your chips for a couple minutes in the oven before adding your toppings, or add a protective layer of cheese before your toppings if you’re really looking to ensure maximum crispness.
Made it? Let us know how it went in the comment section below!
Simple, classic, and endlessly versatile,
nachos are a staple appetizer here at Delish. Whether we’re hungry for an easy movie snack or need a Super Bowl appetizer to please a hungry crowd, nachos are the answer. Our best recipe is loaded with nachos supreme-inspired toppings—melty cheese, ground beef, two types of beans, and pickled jalapeños to name a few—but you can use it as a jumping off point to add all of your favorites. Switch it up with your favorite cheese and toppings to make this game day snack completely your own.
The ingredients for nachos:
— The chips. Tortilla chips are the obvious answer here. You don’t necessarily have to use them, but you’ll be leaning away from true nacho territory. If you’re interested in non-tortilla “nachos” you could try our take on Irish nachos or St. Patrick’s Day nachos, but if you decide to stay classic, a great way to amp up the nachos is with homemade tortilla chips.
— The best cheese for nachos. We’re big fans of Monterey jack and cheddar, but your options are limitless—just make sure it melts! If you want something a bit spicy, Pepper jack is a great alternative. The only cheese we recommend that defies the melt rule is cotija. Cotija is hard Mexican cow’s milk cheese which can be added after the nachos bake. Top tip: While buying pre-shredded works for nachos, we always recommend grating your cheese yourself. It’s the key to getting the ultimate cheesy meltiness that we crave in a good nachos recipe.
— The best toppings for nachos. We’ve added an impressive load of toppings to these nachos, including ground beef, refried beans, pickled jalapeños, tomatoes, green onions, and avocado. But, you can top your nachos with whatever you want! If you want to stick with the classic vibes, we recommend guacamole, pico de gallo, shredded lettuce, cotija cheese, grilled corn, pinto beans, black olives, pickled red onions, or shredded chicken.
Nacho variations:
We went with the supreme version here, but you’ve got plenty of options when it comes to getting creative with your nachos—they’re one of the most versatile apps. Our flaming hot nachos add Flamin’ Hot cheetos, sriracha, and plenty of toppings for an extra hot version. Love the Big Mac? Incorporate all the same flavors in our Big Mac nachos. Need a creative way to use up those Thanksgiving leftovers? Our friendsgiving nachos make for the perfect post-holiday snack. If you want to up the protein, our pulled pork nachos will bring the BBQ vibes to any gathering.
Want to make vegan nachos? No prob—a lot of typical nacho toppings are naturally vegan: guacamole, beans, lettuce, jalapeños, tomatoes, and onions, and most tortilla chips that you can buy are also vegan ( check the label to be sure). You can buy vegan cheese if you want, but if you’re already in the kitchen, why not whip up a batch of our vegan chipotle queso to drizzle on top of your nachos?
Preventing soggy nachos:
It’s inevitable: nachos won’t stay crispy forever. To prevent your chips from going soggy too soon, you can take a couple of actions. You can pre-bake your chips for a couple minutes in the oven before adding your toppings, or add a protective layer of cheese before your toppings if you’re really looking to ensure maximum crispness.
Made it? Let us know how it went in the comment section below!
- Yields:
-
6 – 8
serving(s)
- Prep Time:
- 15 mins
- Total Time:
- 50 mins
- Cal/Serv:
- 989
Directions
-
- Step 1
Preheat oven to 425º and line a large baking sheet with foil. In a large skillet over medium heat, heat oil. Add onion and cook until soft, 5 minutes, then add ground beef and cook until no longer pink, 6 minutes more. Drain fat.
- Step 2Add garlic and taco seasoning and season with salt. Cook until meat is well browned and slightly crispy, 5 minutes more. Add refried beans and water to skillet and stir until combined.
- Step 3Add half the tortilla chips and top with beef-bean mixture, half the cheese, half the black beans, and half the pickled jalapeños. Repeat one more layer.
- Step 4Bake until cheese is melty, 15 minutes.
- Step 5Scatter with tomato, avocado, green onions, and cilantro. Drizzle with sour cream and hot sauce and serve immediately.
- Step 1
