How to Make Nachos

I learned how to make nachos after eating them in Mexican restaurants in Florida. The flavor was so fabulous! I should not have been surprised because I have always loved these same ingredients in other recipes. I have never been a “chip eater” but these covered chip are so good. Two common ingredients are the baked or fried tortilla chips and some form of cheese.

How to Make NachosHow to Make Nachos

Nachos originated in the northern part of Mexico. Like most of the Mexican cuisine these recipes spread throughout our Southwestern United States. Today you can order nachos in restaurants in most towns and cities in our country, even in small towns. With a few ingredients they can be made quickly and easily and at very little expense. 


I have recipes with a great variety of other ingredients besides the chips and cheese. There are even a few excluding the chips and using things like popcorn. After learning how to make nachos I found these recipes can not only be a snack or appetizer but for a great lunch. The ones including fish or chicken and vegetables like beans, peppers, onions and olives make a very filling meal. 


I am not talking about calories because many recipes are also served with sour cream and other great sauces. Lighter versions can be made by using baked chips instead of fried, reduced fat cheese and light versions of sour cream. You can top with lower calorie flavorful salsas, guacamole or simply chopped avocado. I encourage you to try different ingredients which you like. Almost anything can be added as long as you use cheese to meld it together when baked or heated in the microwave.


If you have a tortilla press you can make your own chips. You can also purchase corn tortillas and make your own chips. Either way cut the tortillas in strips or pie shapes. Drop the pieces in hot oil and fry and drain on paper towels. You can also bake the pieces in the oven until dried and crispy. If you want to garnish your nachos before serving pieces of lime or fresh cilantro always show well. Read through all the following recipes noting the various ingredients. If you want to make a tray of super loaded nachos use a combination of all those different ingredients.


If you want to make homemade guacamole it is easy to do and really good. Below is a recipe to try. It will go well with all the nacho recipes.

GUACAMOLE RECIPE

If you learn how to make nachos try this guacamole sauce to serve.

  • 1 Avocado (Peel, seed, cut in pieces)
  • 1 Green onion (Cut in thirds)
  • ½ Can (4.5 ounces) chopped green chilies
  • 2 Tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro (Or 2 teaspoons dried)
  • 1 Teaspoon garlic salt
  • 1 Tablespoon mayonnaise
  • 1 ½ Teaspoon lemon juice
  • ¼ Teaspoon hot sauce
  • 1 Tomato (Cut in quarters)

Combine chopped avocado and following 7 ingredients in food processor.

Process mixture until smooth stopping to scrape down sides.

Add tomato; process until coarsely chopped; makes 1 cup.

HAMBURGER NACHOS RECIPE

Hamburger Nachos RecipeHamburger Nachos Recipe

Learn how to make nachos with hamburger.

  • 1 Package (10 ounces) tortilla chips
  • ½ Pound ground beef (Brown in skillet until done)
  • 4 Chopped green onions
  • 1 Cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Preheat oven 375F degrees; lightly grease baking sheet.

Spread chips over the baking sheet; spoon beef over the ships.

Top beef with green onions; top with cheese.

Bake until cheese melts about 6 minutes; serve with salsa and sour cream.

NACHOS CON HUEVOS

Learn how to make nachos with scrambled egg for ONE.

  • 1 Cup tortilla strips
  • 2 Tablespoons refried beans
  • 1 Scrambled egg
  • 1 Tablespoon salsa
  • 1 ½ Cups shredded Cheddar cheese
  • Sour cream

Preheat oven to 325F degrees.

For each serving layer the nachos on a 6 inch oven proof plate.

Then layer the refried beans, the egg and the salsa.

Top with the shredded cheese.

Place in oven until cheese melts about 15 minutes.

Top each serving with a dollop of sour cream; serve immediately.

POPCORN NACHOS RECIPE

  • 1 Bag microwave popcorn (Popped)
  • Chili powder
  • ¼ Cup drained sliced black olives
  • 2 Tablespoons canned green chilies (Chopped and drained)
  • 1 Cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese

Divide popcorn between 4 (6 inches) microwave plates.

Sprinkle each with chili powder.

Top each plate with ¼ of the olives, chilies and cheese.

Place in microwave on high until cheese melts; serves 4. 

SHRIMP NACHOS RECIPE

Shrimp Nachos RecipeShrimp Nachos Recipe

Learn how to make nachos like Texans.

  • ½ Pound shrimp (Peel, devein, cook and chop)
  • 1 Can (4/5 ounces) diced green chilies (NOT drained)
  • 1 Can (2.25 ounces) sliced ripe olives (Drained)
  • 1 ½ cups shredded Cheddar cheese
  • 4 Green onions (Sliced)
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 8 Dozen small round tortilla chips

Preheat oven to 350F degrees.

In a bowl combine and mix the shrimp, green chilies and next 4 ingredients.

Spread tortilla chips on baking sheet; spread shrimp mixture over top.

Bake until hot and cheese melts about 5 minutes.

TUNA NACHOS RECIPE

  • 1 Bag (10 ounces) tortilla chips
  • 1 Package (8 ounces) shredded Colby Monterey Jack cheese blend
  • 2 Cans (6 ounces each) solid white tuna in water (drain and flake)
  • 1 Cup chopped tomatoes
  • 1/3 Cup pickled jalapeno peppers (PLUS for garnish)
  • ½ Cup sliced green onions
  • Salsa
  • Guacamole
  • Sour cream

Preheat oven to 375F degrees.

Arrange chips in single layer (Overlapping) on baking tray

Sprinkle evenly with 1 cup of cheese.

Layer with tuna, tomato, jalapeno slices and sliced green onions.

Top layers with remaining cheese; bake until cheese melts about 8 minutes.

Top nachos with salsa, guacamole and sour cream; garnish with pepper slices.

Serves: 8 appetizers OR 4 main meals.

EASY NACHOS

  • 1 Package (11 ounces) tortilla chips
  • 1 Can (16 ounces) refried beans
  • ½ Cup chopped green onions
  • 1 Cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 Jar (12 ounces) jalapeno slices 
  • Picante sauce

Preheat oven to 350F degrees.

Spread about 2 teaspoons beans on each of 3 dozen taco chips (Reserve extra chips for other use)

Place chips on baking sheet; sprinkle with green onion and cheese.

Top each chip with a sliced jalapeno and a little picante sauce.

Bake 5-7 minutes until cheese melts.

NACHOS

Learn how to make nachos using canned cheese soup.

  • 1 Can (11 ounces) Condensed Cheddar cheese soup
  • ½ cup salsa
  • 1 Bag (10 ounces) tortilla chips
  • 1 Chopped tomato
  • 2 Sliced green onions
  • ¼ cup sliced ripe olives
  • 1 cup chopped green bell or red pepper

Preheat oven to 350F degrees.

In saucepan heat condensed soup and salsa; heat until bubbly.

Arrange tortilla chips on baking sheet; spoon cheese sauce over the chips.

Top with tomatoes, onion, olives and bell peeper.

Bake 5 minutes and serve immediately.

CHICKEN NACHOS RECIPE

Chicken Nachos RecipeChicken Nachos Recipe

Learn how to make nachos with chicken.

  • 1 Package (10 ounces) tortilla chips
  • ½ Can (16 ounces) refried beans
  • 1 Cup cooked shredded chicken
  • 1 Cup guacamole
  • ½ Cup sour cream
  • 1 Cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 475F degrees; lightly grease baking sheet.

Spread beans evenly over 24 tortilla chips; place on baking sheet.

Divide the chicken evenly among the chips.

Top each with guacamole, sour cream and Cheddar.

Sprinkle all with the shredded cheese; bake 5 to 7 minutes until cheese melts.

Makes 6 to 8 Appetizers servings.

HOW TO MAKE NACHOS WITH WHITE CHEESE

  • 28 Tortilla chips
  • 1 Cup cooked shrimp (Chop in large chunks)
  • 1 ½ Cups shredded cheese (Mix half mozzarella and half Monterey Jack)
  • 2 Tablespoons finely chopped jalapeno pepper
  • ½ Cup chopped fresh chives
  • ¼ Cup salsa

Preheat oven to 400F degrees; lightly grease baking sheet.

Spread tortilla chips on baking pan; top with half of cheese.

Top with shrimp, jalapeno pepper and chives; top with remaining cheese.

Bake until cheese melts about 5-7 minutes; top each chip with a little salsa.

Serve hot; serves 4.

CHIPOTLE BELL PEPPER NACHOS

Learn how to make nachos with chicken and bell pepper.

  • 4 Cups bite size round tortilla chips
  • 2 Cups shredded Colby Monterey Jack cheese
  • ½ Cup chopped red bell pepper
  • ½ Cup chopped green bell pepper
  • ½ Cup chopped yellow bell pepper
  • 1 Cup cooked chicken (Seasoned with Mexican spice)
  • 4 Green onions (Sliced)
  • ½ Cup thick salsa
  • 2 Canned chipotle chilies in adobe sauce (Chop)

Preheat oven to 425F degrees; lightly spray baking sheet.

Spread 2 cups of chips in a 9 inch circle on baking sheet.

Sprinkle with ¾ cup of the cheese; top with remaining chips; top with all bell peppers.

Sprinkle with onions and remaining 1 ¼ cups cheese.

Bake until cheese melts about 7 minutes.

Combine and blend salsa and chipotle chilies with sauce.

Spoon salsa mixture over hot nachos; serve warm.

Serves 6 to 8.