Touchdown Nacho Bar with Fixings (Printable)
Interactive nacho spread with seasoned beef, crispy chips, melted cheeses, fresh toppings, and flavorful salsas for crowd-pleasing entertaining.
# What You'll Need:
→ Proteins
01 - 1 lb ground beef
02 - 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
03 - 1 cup cooked shredded chicken (optional)
04 - 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
→ Chips & Cheese
05 - 2 large bags (18 oz each) tortilla chips
06 - 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
07 - 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
08 - 1/2 cup nacho cheese sauce (optional)
→ Fresh Toppings
09 - 1 cup diced tomatoes
10 - 1 cup shredded lettuce
11 - 1/2 cup sliced black olives
12 - 1/2 cup diced red onion
13 - 1 to 2 jalapeños, thinly sliced
14 - 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
15 - 2 avocados, diced or mashed for guacamole
16 - 1 lime, cut into wedges
→ Salsas & Sauces
17 - 1 cup salsa (mild, medium, or hot)
18 - 1/2 cup sour cream
19 - 1/2 cup pico de gallo
20 - 1/2 cup hot sauce (optional)
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F.
02 - In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef until browned. Add taco seasoning and 2 to 3 tablespoons water; cook for another 2 to 3 minutes until well combined.
03 - Warm the black beans in a small saucepan over low heat. If using, warm the shredded chicken.
04 - Arrange chips on a large baking sheet. Sprinkle with shredded cheeses. Bake for 5 to 7 minutes, until cheese is bubbling.
05 - Arrange all proteins, chips, cheese, and toppings in separate bowls or platters for a customizable nacho bar.
06 - Let guests assemble their nachos: start with chips, then add proteins, cheese, and desired toppings.
07 - Offer salsa, guacamole, sour cream, and hot sauce on the side.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- It creates a fun interactive experience where guests become architects of their own nacho masterpieces, and Ive noticed how it breaks the ice even among strangers.
- The prep work happens before everyone arrives, meaning you actually get to enjoy the game instead of being stuck in the kitchen during crucial plays.
02 -
- Warming your serving platters in the oven for just a minute before arranging the finished nachos keeps everything melty longer – a trick I discovered after serving a disappointing platter of rapidly cooling nachos at my first attempt.
- Keeping the chips and melted cheese separate from wet toppings until serving prevents the dreaded soggy chip syndrome that nearly ruined our conference finals party.
03 -
- Create a two-tier setup with warming trays beneath the protein bowls to keep everything at the perfect temperature throughout even the longest games that go into overtime.
- Serve the nacho bar in waves rather than all at once – I refresh the ingredients at halftime, which gives everyone a second wind and ensures nothing sits out too long.