Easy Oven Baked Nachos Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to good homemade nachos? ›

Packaged, pre-shredded cheeses contain stabilizers which hinder their meltability. Shred your own cheese instead of chopping or tearing it: Smaller pieces will melt quicker, which means your nachos will be perfectly gooey without charred or overdone chips. One layer of chips and toppings is good.

Place tortilla chips in a single layer onto the prepared baking sheet. Top with ground beef mixture, black beans, corn and cheeses. Place into oven and bake until heated through and the cheeses have melted, about 5-6 minutes. Serve immediately, topped with tomato, onion, jalapeno, sour cream and cilantro.

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.

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.

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.

* 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. * The chips should to be heated evenly and the cheese well melted.

Be sure to add a layer of aluminum foil or parchment paper to the bottom of your baking sheet before assembling the nachos. This will make clean up easy and prevent the nachos from sticking.

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.

It will only take about 5 to 10 minutes, so don't go too far! Don't add the cold/fresh toppings until AFTER the nachos come out of the oven. Add the toppings RIGHT before serving so the chips don't get soggy, especially with toppings like sour cream, salsa, and tomatoes.

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.

Do you put meat or cheese on nachos first? ›

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.

Don't overcrowd your nachos. Build them on a cookie tray in layers--first tortilla chips, then grated cheese, followed by a two or three minutes in a very hot oven to quickly melt the cheese on the first layer.

Best for Nachos: Santitas Tortilla Chips

When it comes to baking a tray of nachos piled with lots of toppings, you are going to need a chip that has a nice even surface area and enough sturdiness to hold everything. That's where this chip shines.

Sharp cheddar gets my vote for nacho cheese. It melts smoothly without being stringy, while having a nice flavorful punch. You can use mild or medium cheddar if you prefer, but the flavor will be a bit blander. Monterey jack and pepper jack also melt really well into sauces and make a great white nacho cheese sauce.

A great way to serve nachos to a larger party is to layer them, baking in between each layer. 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.