The Trick to Restaurant Style Nachos

sour cream

🥗Healthier: Greek yogurt

💰Cheaper: plain yogurt

Greek yogurt reduces calories while maintaining creaminess

jalapeños

🥗Healthier: banana peppers

💰Cheaper: pickled jalapeños

Banana peppers are milder and more accessible

cheddar cheese

🥗Healthier: reduced-fat cheddar

💰Cheaper: processed cheese

Reduced-fat cheddar lowers calories without sacrificing flavor

guacamole

🥗Healthier: avocado mash

💰Cheaper: avocado dip

Avocado dip can be more affordable and still delicious

Melt 60 g of butter over medium heat.

Add 2 cloves of minced garlic and mix for a few seconds until fragrant.

Stir in 1/2 teaspoon of ground cumin, 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika, and 1/4 teaspoon of turmeric, mixing well.

Whisk in 60 g of all-purpose flour until combined.

Slowly add 500 mls (2 cups) of warm whole milk, 1/3 at a time, whisking constantly to avoid lumps.

Add 1 cup (250 mls) of heavy cream and whisk until smooth.

Mix in 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard.

Lower the heat to low and add 150 g of Monterey Jack cheese, stirring until melted.

Add 350 g of sharp cheddar cheese in small handfuls, stirring until melted after each addition.

Season the queso with salt to taste. If it looks oily or splits, add a splash of hot milk or cream to fix it.

Remove from heat and stir in 2 tablespoons of finely diced pickled jalapeños and 1 tablespoon of the brine.

Pour the queso into a squeeze bottle for later use.

Prepare a sheet pan with parchment paper.

Spread a flat layer of tortilla chips on the parchment paper.

Drizzle warm queso over every tortilla chip.

Sprinkle shredded Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese over the top.

Repeat the layering process for a total of three layers of chips, queso, and cheese.

Bake at 375°F for around 10 minutes, watching closely to ensure it melts and browns without burning.

Remove from the oven and add toppings: start with hot chili, then diced tomatoes, sour cream, pickled onions, green onions, extra jalapeños, and guacamole in the center.

Optionally, top with crispy onions.

If there are leftovers, reheat them in a skillet over medium heat with a lid to keep the bottom crispy.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens