Patrick Oconnell
There's nothing quite like a tray of loaded nachos, but getting that perfect, lava-like cheese sauce can be a challenge. The key to achieving that gooey, oozy melt is to use a young cheese that's high in moisture and melt slowly at a low temperature. The best cheeses for nachos include Monterey Jack, sharp cheddar, Colby Jack, and mozzarella. To make nachos, first, preheat your oven to 350°F/176°C. Next, layer tortilla chips with shredded cheese and bake for around 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted. Finally, add your choice of toppings such as guacamole, salsa, jalapeños, and sour cream.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Oven temperature | 350°F/176°C |
| Baking time | 5-10 minutes |
| Cheese | Monterey Jack, Cheddar, Colby Jack, Queso Quesadilla, Asadero, Mozzarella, Parmesan |
| Cheese preparation | Shredded, grated |
| Toppings | Guacamole, Sour cream, Pico de gallo, Jalapeños, Black olives, Corn, Tomatoes, Salsa, Cilantro, Refried beans, Beef, Chicken, Sauteed onions, Bell peppers |
| Chips | Sturdy, thick, good quality tortilla chips |
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What You'll Learn
Bake at 350°F/176°C for 8-10 minutes
To make delicious, cheesy nachos, it's important to get the right balance of temperature and time. Baking at 350°F/176°C for 8-10 minutes is a great guide, but there are a few more tips to ensure perfect nachos every time.
First, choose a good quality, sturdy tortilla chip with the right amount of seasoning. You don't want overly thin chips, as they can't take the weight of the toppings. A corn tortilla chip is a great option, and frying them at home gives the sturdiest result, but it's also fine to use store-bought.
Next, the cheese. A Mexican blend of shredded cheese is a great choice, and Monterey Jack, cheddar, Colby Jack, or a mix of these, will give you that oozy melt. Grating your own cheese will ensure the best melt, as pre-grated cheese often has anti-caking agents added, which can prevent the cheese from melting as well. If you do use pre-grated cheese, bring it to room temperature first, to help it melt more quickly and smoothly.
Now you're ready to assemble your nachos. Layer your chosen chips with cheese, adding your other toppings once you have a good "cheese barrier" to prevent the chips from getting soggy. This will ensure the chips on the bottom stay as crispy as the ones on the top.
Finally, bake at 350°F/176°C for 8-10 minutes. This temperature is moderate, ensuring the cheese melts without burning the chips.
Your nachos are now ready to serve, hot and cheesy, with a range of toppings, such as guacamole, salsa, jalapeños, and sour cream.
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Use pre-grated or grate your own cheese
When it comes to making nachos, the cheese you use is of utmost importance. While you can use pre-grated cheese, freshly grated cheese is recommended for the best melt. Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents like cellulose or potato starch to prevent the shreds from sticking together. These additives can make your cheese sauce grainy and clumpy, detracting from the desired velvety, stringy-gooey consistency of nacho cheese.
Freshly grated cheese, on the other hand, melts more evenly and smoothly, creating the perfect, irresistible texture for nachos. Cheddar cheese, especially sharper varieties, is an excellent option for nachos due to its meltability and flavour. However, other cheeses like Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, and even American cheese, are also great choices as they melt well and provide a tangy taste.
If you decide to grate your own cheese, it is crucial to start with a block of cheese that melts smoothly. Avoid high-end artisanal cheddars, as they tend to melt poorly. Additionally, hard cheeses like Parmesan, Pecorino, feta, and blue cheese are not ideal for nachos due to their high oil content, which impairs their melting ability, and their strong flavour, which can be overpowering.
Ultimately, the decision to use pre-grated or freshly grated cheese depends on your convenience and preference. Pre-grated cheese can save time and still produce tasty nachos, while grating your own cheese ensures a smoother melt and might be more cost-effective.
As a final tip, when layering your nachos, it is recommended to use sturdy, good-quality tortilla chips that can bear the weight of your toppings. You can also experiment with different toppings, such as refried beans, meat, vegetables, and sauces, to create a unique and mouthwatering combination.
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Choose toppings that add colour and flavour
When it comes to toppings, the sky's the limit! You can choose from a variety of colourful and flavourful toppings to make your nachos truly delicious. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Cheese
Cheese is a key ingredient in nachos, providing that signature cheesy meltiness. While pre-shredded cheese works, grating your own cheese can result in a gooier, meltier texture. Go for a mix of shredded cheddar and Colby Jack cheese, or try Mexican blend cheeses like Monterey Jack and cotija. If you want something spicy, opt for Pepper Jack or habanero cheese.
Meat
Meat toppings add heartiness and flavour to your nachos. Ground beef, shredded chicken, and pulled chicken are popular choices. You can also try ground chicken, ground turkey, or shredded pork. Season your meat with a taco-style mix of paprika, garlic powder, oregano, cumin, and chilli powder for a flavour boost.
Beans
Beans not only add protein and substance to your nachos but also help other toppings stick to the tortilla chips. Canned refried beans and black beans are excellent options. You can also try pinto beans for a classic vibe.
Vegetables
Vegetables bring colour, flavour, and texture to your nachos. Try sliced jalapenos, diced onions, scallions, green onions, or pickled red onions for a pop of colour and a kick of heat. Avocado, chopped tomatoes, grilled corn, and black olives add freshness and flavour.
Sauces and Dips
No nachos are complete without a generous drizzle of sauce or dip. Guacamole, sour cream, salsa, and hot sauce are classic choices that will take your nachos to the next level.
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Layer chips and cheese to ensure even melting
To ensure your nachos are baked to perfection, with the cheese evenly melted, there are a few steps to follow. First, preheat your oven to 350°F/176°C. This moderate temperature is ideal for melting cheese without burning the tortilla chips. Next, prepare your baking sheet or skillet by greasing it with a small amount of vegetable oil or lining it with non-stick foil for easier cleanup.
Now, it's time to start layering! Begin with a layer of tortilla chips, creating a sturdy base. You can use any type of tortilla chip, but thicker, sturdier chips will hold up better under the weight of your toppings. Sprinkle a third of your cheese over this first layer of chips. This initial layer of cheese will act as a barrier, preventing the chips from becoming soggy from the other toppings.
For the second layer, add another third of the tortilla chips, followed by your chosen toppings. This could include refried beans, black beans, green chilies, chopped tomatoes, black olives, corn, or meat such as shredded chicken or ground beef. Repeat the layering process, adding the remaining tortilla chips, toppings, and finishing with a generous sprinkling of shredded cheese to ensure every chip gets that gooey, melted goodness.
Place the loaded nachos in the preheated oven and bake for about 8 minutes, keeping a close eye on them to prevent overcooking. The cheese should be melted and slightly browned, but not burnt. Once the cheese is perfectly melted, remove the nachos from the oven and add any final fresh toppings, such as guacamole, sour cream, salsa, jalapeños, or a drizzle of hot sauce.
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Add cold ingredients just before serving
To ensure your nachos are as fresh as possible, it's best to add cold ingredients just before serving. This is because nachos are best served immediately, as they can become soggy if left for too long.
There are a variety of cold ingredients that you can add to your nachos. The most popular include guacamole, sour cream, salsa, and jalapeños. Other options include chopped cilantro, diced onions, tomatoes, and black olives. If you want to add a little heat to your nachos, you can use a cheese with some spice, such as Monterey Jack or habanero cheese. You can also drizzle your nachos with hot sauce.
If you're serving your nachos to a crowd that can't agree on toppings, you can bake your nachos with just the cheese and set out the remaining ingredients so that your guests can top their nachos individually. This is a fun way to serve nachos at a party and allows for customization.
Some ingredients, like guacamole, are best made on the same day as serving to prevent them from browning. However, you can prepare other ingredients, like cheese, meat, and salsa, up to three days in advance to save time.
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Frequently asked questions
Bake the nachos in a preheated oven at 350°F/176°C for about 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Monterey Jack, cheddar, Colby Jack, queso quesadilla, mozzarella, and asadero cheeses melt well and their flavours blend nicely with other ingredients. Pre-grated cheese may not melt as well as freshly grated cheese, as it is often coated with an anti-caking agent.
Preheat the oven to 350°F/176°C. This temperature is high enough to melt the cheese without burning the tortilla chips.
