Baked Nachos

Baked Nachos (AKA Sheet Pan Nachos) are a quick, kid-friendly dinner that will please the whole family. Top with a bunch of veggies, and you’ve got a pan meal! Use our pro tips below to make them EXTRA delicious!

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Baked Nachos for the Win!

Having a sheet pan filled with Nachos is a widely overlooked weeknight meal. It’s always a hit with my family for so many reasons!

• Nachos are a home run every time I make them for the family. Picky kids can customize them.
• They are quick! If you’re already pre-cooked your taco meat (use our recipe from our Taco Bar), they only take about 15 minutes from start to finish.
• They can be a well-rounded, healthy meal when you offer a variety of veggie toppings and use beans and/or grass-fed beef.
• They are a one-pan meal!  Less clean-up is always a plus.
• You can easily make Baked Nachos into a freezer meal.
• They are naturally gluten-free if you use GF tortilla chips.

What Ingredients Do I Need for Baked Nachos?

One of the beauties of Baked Nachos is that the possibilities are endless.

The 3 primary ingredients we would suggest you start with are:

A Protein:

• Beef: We simply repurposed the taco recipe from our Tasty Taco Bar. Or try it with our Shredded Beef Nachos recipe!
• Shredded Pork: This could be a great way to use up meat from our Slow Cooker Carnitas!
• Shredded Chicken: Use our Shredded Chicken Nachos recipe, or make and shred our Cilantro Lime Chicken or Southwest Chicken recipes!
• Black Beans: If you don’t want meat, simply use black beans as one of your main ingredients.

Topping Ideas for Baked Nachos

This is where it gets really fun. Once you’ve baked your nachos, add any and every topping that sounds delicious to you! Here are some ideas:

• Black beans, drained
• Shredded lettuce
• Diced tomatoes
• Diced Avocado
• Sliced black olives
• Diced red onion
• Jalapeno pepper, thinly sliced
• Salsa
• Sour cream or whole plain Greek yogurt
• Chopped cilantro
• Diced green onion

Do not add the fresh toppings until AFTER baking. Just trust us on this one.

How to Serve Baked Nachos

Option 1: Free-For-All Style

Serve it right off the sheet pan and have everyone dig in. Kids love this! If you have no issues with sharing, this is a fun way to do it.

Option 2: Divide and Conquer

If you’re serving this meal to a group of people or just want to have a more civilized dinner and not eat caveman style, simply use a wide spatula and scoop portions onto small plates.

How to Make It a Make Ahead Freezer Meal

When you hear the word “Nachos”, you’re likely not associating it with a freezer meal. That’s fine. We’re here to expand your horizons and save your future self some valuable time.

Next time you make a nacho-worthy meat, simply double the recipe and freeze it after cooking, alongside a bag of cheese. BAM. You now have a freezer meal and your busy Wednesday night mom-brain will be singing your praises.

I also love this meal idea for new moms! It’s such a great one to double and freeze. So, either stash it in your freezer for a few weeks down the road or pass it on to someone who could use a great meal.

TO FREEZE: Cook the meat as directed from whatever recipe you choose. (Taco meat, Carnitas, Cilantro Lime Chicken, etc.) Then let the mixture cool completely. Place it in a freezer bag, seal, and freeze. In a separate bag, freeze about 2 cups of shredded cheese. Freeze together as a kit.

TO PREPARE: Let all ingredients thaw in the refrigerator. Cook and serve as directed in the recipe below.

Ready to take your nacho game to the next level? Let’s do this!