This Oven Baked Nachos and Cheese recipe makes a great party appetizer or quick and easy snack the whole family can enjoy.
These homemade oven baked nachos and cheese are perfect for Cinco de Mayo, game night, parties, or a simple snack! I top mine with Salsa Roja, Guacamole, and sour cream, and it’s always a big hit.
The best thing about nachos is how versatile they are! Once you have your chips base and cheese, you can use a ton of toppings. My family loves this vegetarian version, but we’ve added shredded pork with taco seasoning and grilled chicken. The sky’s the limit!
Start by lining a baking tray with foil, and evenly spread out your tortilla chips. Scatter your choice of shredded cheese on top and pop them into a preheated oven at about 220°C for roughly 5 minutes or until the cheese is completely melted.
How to Make Oven Baked Nachos & Cheese
Preheat the oven to 350°F/176°C and grease a 12-inch oven-safe skillet or small sheet pan with the oil. You only need a little oil, and a teaspoon will do.
Arrange a third of the tortilla chips in a single layer in a skillet.
Top chips evenly with a third of the refried beans, green chilies, chopped tomatoes, black olives, black beans, and corn. I hold off on the salsa with this layer to keep the chips from getting soggy from the moisture.
Top the layer with a third of the shredded cheese.
Repeat with the next layer, and on the third layer, use the remaining refried beans, green chilies, chopped tomatoes, black olives, black beans, and corn Then scatter with the salsa.
Top with the remaining cheese.
Bake in preheated oven until cheese melts and browns slightly, about 8 minutes.
Remove from oven, and top with Guacamole, jalapeño, and sour cream. At this point, I like to drizzle my nachos with a bit of hot sauce for a little kick. That’s totally optional, though.
- Use good sturdy tortilla chips. Thin chips may be crunchy, but they can’t take the weight of the toppings.
- Choose cheeses with good flavor that melt well. Monterey Jack cheese has that oozy melt you get in the best nachos, and sharp cheddar offers a slight tang.
- Keep your toppings bite-sized, so your nachos are easier to eat with less mess.
- Add cold ingredients just before serving for best results.
- For easy cleanup– line your pan with nonstick foil instead of greasing the pan. When you’re done – just toss it in the trash!
Nachos will never be the same!
FAQ
How do you melt cheese in the oven?
What temperature do you melt cheese on nachos?
What is the best way to melt cheese on chips?
Can I heat nachos in the oven?
How do you melt cheese for nachos?
The best way to melt cheese for nachos is to use a microwave, or heat on the stovetop. To melt cheese in the microwave, put the grated cheese in a bowl and cover it with plastic wrap. Heat for 15 seconds at a time until all of the cheese is melted. If you’re using a stovetop, place the grated cheese in a pan over medium-low heat.
Can You bake nachos in the oven?
Oven-baked nachos are quick and easy to throw together, require only a handful of basic ingredients and won’t leave you with a big mess to clean up later. Just line a baking pan with tortilla chips, sprinkle with your favorite toppings and run them through the oven just long enough to melt the cheese.
How do you make Nachos taste good?
Use good sturdy tortilla chips. Thin chips may be crunchy, but they can’t take the weight of the toppings. Choose cheeses with good flavor that melt well. Monterey Jack cheese has that oozy melt you get in the best nachos, and sharp cheddar offers a slight tang. Keep your toppings bite-sized, so your nachos are easier to eat with less mess.
How do you make nacho cheese sauce?
The result is like a sleazy béchamel. Then, just slam in some shredded or grated cheese, reduce the heat to medium-low, and stir until it’s melted into a golden-hued nacho cheese sauce for the ages. The best type of cheese for nachos is one that melts evenly, and shredded or hand-grated from the block melts better than sliced.