The perfect nachos: A step-by-step guide (2025)

FAQs

What is the correct order for nachos? ›

Start with a base of tortilla chips, cheese, salsa, jalapeño, and any warm fillings like meats and veggies. Once the cheese melts, remove from the oven, add another layer, and repeat. This extra step ensures your nachos are well-covered and evenly baked from top to bottom.

Arrange half of tortilla chips onto prepared baking sheet in single layer, overlapping chips slightly. Top with half each of meat mixture, corn and black beans. Top with 2 cups cheese. Repeat Step 3 to create second layer with remaining beef, corn, beans and cheese.

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.

Nachos can be multilayered with smashed black beans scented with cumin, luxe queso with bits of pickled jalapenos, shredded or pulled pork or chicken, crumbled tofu, fresh and bright pico de gallo and finished with a squiggle of sour cream. Or keep them simple, just to one layer.

To achieve this, put one layer of chips on a baking sheet, then cover with cheese and toppings. Repeat until you've used everything up so that every bite is the same from beginning to end. Sprinkle on fresh toppings like cilantro, scallions, tomatoes, and pickled jalapenos on after the nachos come out of the oven.

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.

The number of layers is up to you. There is no god of nachos. So, a nacho-preparer can make as many layers and add as many ingredients as he or she desires. At our house, the maximum load, though, is about three layers, with ingredients repeated each layer—and maybe a little extra cheese on the final one.

Monitor the Oven Temperature

Another common culprit of soggy nachos is baking them at too low of a temperature. To achieve maximum crispiness, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) or higher. This high heat will help to quickly melt the cheese and crisp up the edges of the chips.

What is the best way to melt cheese on nachos? ›

Spread about half of a 14-ounce bag of tortilla chips on the baking sheet in an even layer. Sprinkle half of the cheese evenly over the chips. Repeat with remaining chips and cheese. Bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly, about 5 minutes.

Best Tortilla Chips for Nachos: Santitas Tortilla Triangles

These chips don't have a ton of flavor on their own, but the crispness and sturdiness of these chips make them the perfect vehicle for carrying hefty dips or nachos loaded with all of the toppings you enjoy.

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.

But you can top your nachos with whatever you want! If you want to stick with the classic vibes, we recommend shredded lettuce, cotija cheese, grilled corn, pinto beans, black olives, pickled red onions, or shredded chicken.

The best options include Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, and Queso Blanco. Q: Can I use pre-shredded cheese for nachos? A: Pre-shredded cheese can be convenient, but it may not melt as well as freshly shredded cheese.

Nachos are a finger food, much like French fries, so you'd want to eat them with your fingers. This is especially important if you are sharing a bowl of nachos with other people. If you are serving nachos at a party, consider including some baby wipes or hand sanitizer.

This type of dish is usually served as an appetizer at bars or restaurants in the United States and elsewhere. Typically, the tortilla chips are arranged on a platter, meat and refried bean toppings are then added, and the entire platter is smothered with shredded cheese.