Easy Cheesy Nachos: Melty, Gooey Goodness

Nachos are a popular snack food, often served as an appetizer or a meal. They are simple to make and can be customised with a variety of ingredients. The core components of nachos are tortilla chips and cheese, with the addition of various toppings and sauces.

For the cheese, it is recommended to use a blend of shredded cheeses such as cheddar, Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or American cheese. Pre-shredded cheese can be used for convenience, but shredding your own cheese from a block can result in a smoother, more melted texture.

To elevate your nachos, you can add ground beef, shredded chicken, refried beans, guacamole, salsa, sour cream, jalapeños, and various other toppings and sauces.

Grate your own cheese

While it may be tempting to buy pre-grated cheese for convenience, grating your own cheese for nachos is the best way to get that great, cheesy, melty texture. Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents like cellulose, which can affect how well the cheese melts and give your sauce a gritty texture.

When making nachos, you want a cheese that is stringy and gooey, and the only way to achieve that is by grating a block of cheese yourself. This extra step is definitely worth the effort and will take your nachos to the next level. Not only will your nachos taste better, but grating your own cheese can also be more cost-effective.

If you're short on time or energy, pre-grated cheese will still work, but for the best results, go for the freshly grated option. This will ensure your nachos have the perfect, melty cheese texture that you and your guests are sure to love.

Some recommended cheeses for nachos include:

• Monterey Jack
• Cheddar
• Colby Jack
• Mozzarella
• Pepper Jack
• Habañero cheese
• Cracker Barrel Sharp Cheddar
• Tillamook
• Cabot

Use a blend of cheeses

While nachos are a great dish to experiment with, the one ingredient that remains constant is cheese. But what is the best type of cheese for nachos?

The answer to that question is not so simple. Different cheeses offer different flavours and textures, and some melt better than others. The best option is often to use a blend of cheeses to get the best of multiple worlds.

Monterey Jack

Monterey Jack is a popular choice for nachos. It has a mild flavour and melts well, making it a great base for your blend. It also comes in different varieties, such as Pepper Jack, which has a spicy kick.

Cheddar

Cheddar is another common choice for nachos. It has a stronger flavour than Monterey Jack and is often used in a blend with other cheeses. It can be a little more prone to becoming grainy when melted, so it's important to grate it yourself and avoid overheating it.

Colby Jack

Colby Jack is a blend of Colby and Monterey Jack cheeses. It has a mild, creamy flavour and melts well, making it a good choice for nachos.

Mozzarella

Mozzarella is not typically used on its own for nachos, but it can be a good addition to a blend. It has a mild flavour and melts well, creating a stretchy, stringy texture.

American

American cheese is not the best option for nachos on its own, but it can work well in a blend. It melts very well and has a mild flavour, but it can be a little greasy.

Other options

Other options for nacho cheese blends include Mexican or TexMex blends, which typically include Monterey Jack, Sharp Cheddar, and Colby. You could also try Cracker Barrel, Tillamook, or Cabot cheddars, or add in some Pepper Jack, habanero, or cotija cheese for a little extra heat.

Choose the right tortilla chips

When making nachos, choosing the right tortilla chips is essential to ensure your nachos are both delicious and structurally sound. Here are some tips to help you select the perfect tortilla chips for your nacho creation:

Thickness

Opt for thicker tortilla chips as they will hold up better under the weight of all your tasty toppings. Thicker chips will also prevent breakage when you're scooping up your nachos, ensuring a mess-free eating experience. Avoid the thin, cantina-style tortilla chips for nachos, as they tend to break easily under the weight of the toppings.

Flavour

While flavoured tortilla chips like Doritos might be tempting, it's best to stick with plain corn tortilla chips as a base for your nachos. Flavoured chips can overpower the other ingredients in your nachos and may not complement the flavours you're trying to create.

Sturdiness

If you have the time and inclination, frying your own tortilla chips at home will result in the sturdiest chips for your nachos. Corn tortillas cut into wedges and fried at home tend to be the sturdiest option. However, this option is more time-consuming.

If frying your own chips isn't feasible, look for bagged tortilla chips that are thicker and sturdier. You can often find these in the bakery section of grocery stores, as they may be fried in-house or locally. These chips will be less likely to break when loaded with toppings.

Shape

When creating your nachos, opt for round or triangular tortilla chips. Round chips are an excellent choice if you're serving younger children or older adults who may have difficulty eating. The triangular-shaped chips are the classic choice, but their pointed ends can sometimes be cumbersome for some diners. Overlapping the chips slightly when assembling your nachos will ensure every chip gets its fair share of toppings.

Freshness

For the best flavour and texture, use fresh tortilla chips. Stale chips can be a nacho nightmare, leading to sogginess and breakage. If you're making a large batch of nachos, consider using multiple smaller bags of chips instead of one large bag to ensure freshness.

Quantity

When it comes to quantity, a standard-sized bag of tortilla chips will typically be enough for a batch of nachos. This amount should cover a standard-sized baking sheet nicely, providing a good base for your toppings.

In summary, when choosing tortilla chips for nachos, go for thicker, plain corn tortilla chips, preferably freshly fried, in either a round or triangular shape. And don't forget to overlap them slightly on your baking sheet for maximum topping coverage!

Add meat

Adding meat to your nachos is a great way to make them more filling and savoury. Here are some tips and suggestions for adding meat to your nachos:

Types of Meat

You can use a variety of meats for nachos, including ground beef, shredded beef, chicken (shredded or ground), steak, brisket, pork, or tofu. You can also use leftover meats such as barbacoa. If you want to add more protein, consider including refried beans or black beans along with your meat of choice.

Seasoning the Meat

To add flavour to your meat, you can season it with taco seasoning, which typically includes spices like chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and onion powder. You can also add water to the meat mixture to help it cook evenly and create a saucier consistency. If you're using ground beef, be sure to drain the excess fat after browning it.

Amount of Meat

The amount of meat you use will depend on your preference and the number of people you're serving. For a heartier nacho dish, use a generous amount of meat. You can also adjust the amount of meat based on the other toppings you plan to include.

Preparing the Meat

It's best to prepare and cook the meat before assembling your nachos. This ensures that the meat is cooked thoroughly and that any excess fat or liquid is drained. You can prepare the meat mixture ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator until you're ready to assemble your nachos.

Assembling the Nachos with Meat

Once your meat is cooked and seasoned, it's time to assemble your nachos. Start by layering tortilla chips on a baking sheet or oven-safe platter. You can overlap the chips slightly to ensure every chip gets topped. Then, sprinkle your desired amount of meat over the chips, followed by shredded cheese. You can also add other toppings like sliced jalapeños, diced onions, or chopped cilantro at this point. Finally, bake your nachos in the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Choose your toppings

Once you've got your base of tortilla chips and cheese, it's time to get creative with your toppings. The beauty of nachos is that there are no rules when it comes to toppings, so feel free to experiment and use whatever ingredients you have on hand. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Meats

If you're a meat eater, you might want to add some protein to your nachos. Popular options include seasoned ground beef, shredded beef, chicken, or pork. You could also try something different like barbacoa or steak. If you're not a meat eater, fear not – nachos can easily be made vegetarian or vegan-friendly.

Beans

Beans are a great way to add some extra protein and fibre to your nachos. Black beans or pinto beans are a popular choice, but you could also try refried beans, which have the added benefit of helping your other toppings stick to the tortilla chips.

Vegetables

When it comes to vegetables, the options are endless. You could go for something fresh and crunchy like tomatoes, onions, or jalapenos, or opt for something a little more indulgent like corn or black olives. If you're feeling adventurous, why not try avocado, chillies, or even grilled tofu?

Sauces

No nachos are complete without a generous dollop of sauce on the side. Sour cream, salsa, and guacamole are the classic choices, but you could also try something different like pico de gallo, refried beans, or even a dollop of chilli.

Cheeses

While cheddar and Monterey Jack are the traditional choices for nacho cheese, you could mix things up by using a combination of different cheeses. A blend of cheddar and Colby Jack is always a good option, or you could try something with a little more spice like habanero cheese. If you're feeling really adventurous, you could even make your own nacho cheese sauce from scratch using cheddar, butter, flour, and milk.

Other toppings

Don't hold back when it comes to toppings – the more, the merrier! Other popular toppings include corn, chives, green onions, cilantro, and lime wedges. You could even add some extra spice with sliced jalapenos or chilli powder.

Frequently asked questions