Soccer Game Day Nachos (Printer View)

Crispy tortilla chips topped with creamy cheese sauce, fresh jalapeños, tomatoes, and avocado.

# Components:

→ Tortilla Chips

01 - 10 oz tortilla chips

→ Cheese Sauce

02 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
03 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
04 - 1 cup whole milk
05 - 1.5 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
06 - 0.5 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
07 - 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
08 - 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
09 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Toppings

10 - 1 medium tomato, diced
11 - 1 small red onion, finely chopped
12 - 1 to 2 jalapeños, thinly sliced
13 - 0.25 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
14 - 0.5 cup sour cream
15 - 1 avocado, sliced or diced
16 - Lime wedges for serving

# Method:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F.
02 - Arrange tortilla chips in a single layer on a large baking sheet or ovenproof platter.
03 - In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
04 - Gradually whisk in milk and cook until mixture thickens, approximately 2 to 3 minutes.
05 - Reduce heat to low and add both cheeses, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir until cheese is melted and sauce is smooth. Remove from heat.
06 - Warm chips in oven for 5 minutes, then remove.
07 - Pour hot cheese sauce evenly over chips.
08 - Top immediately with diced tomato, red onion, jalapeños, and cilantro.
09 - Dollop with sour cream and add avocado slices. Serve immediately with lime wedges.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The cheese sauce is silky smooth and stays creamy even as it cools, not separating into greasy puddles like store-bought versions.
  • You can have these ready in 30 minutes flat, which means less stress and more time enjoying whatever's on the screen.
  • Everyone eats with their hands, which somehow makes the whole experience feel less formal and more fun.
02 -
  • Cold cheese sauce is useless—you have maybe 10 minutes of working time after pouring, so have all your toppings prepped and ready before the sauce even touches the stove.
  • If your sauce breaks or looks grainy, take it off the heat immediately and whisk in a splash of milk, one tablespoon at a time, until it smooths back out.
03 -
  • Make the cheese sauce ahead of time and reheat it gently in a saucepan over low heat, stirring in a little milk if it's too thick—this takes the pressure off when guests are already sitting down.
  • Toast your tortilla chips in a 180°C (350°F) oven for 5 minutes before saucing them; they'll absorb the cheese better and stay crisp longer than cold chips.
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