Soccer Game Day Nachos Cheese (Printable)

Tortilla chips layered with creamy cheese, jalapeños, tomatoes, and avocado for a vibrant, shareable snack.

# What You’ll Need:

→ 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 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
06 - 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
07 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
08 - 1/2 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 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
14 - 1/2 cup sour cream
15 - 1 avocado, sliced or diced
16 - Lime wedges for serving

# How-To:

01 - Preheat your oven to 350°F.
02 - Arrange the tortilla chips in a single layer on a large baking sheet or ovenproof platter.
03 - In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
04 - Gradually whisk in the milk and cook until the 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 the sauce is smooth. Remove from heat.
06 - Warm the chips in the oven for 5 minutes, then remove.
07 - Pour the hot cheese sauce evenly over the chips.
08 - Top immediately with diced tomato, red onion, jalapeños, and cilantro.
09 - Dollop with sour cream and add avocado. Serve with lime wedges.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The cheese sauce comes together in under ten minutes and tastes like you've been stirring it all day.
  • You can prep every topping while the sauce cooks, so there's zero stressed scrambling when people arrive.
  • It's impossible to mess up—even if the sauce breaks slightly, it'll still taste incredible over warm chips.
02 -
  • If your sauce breaks or looks grainy, whisk in a tablespoon of cold milk off heat and stir gently—panic often makes people turn the heat up, which makes it worse.
  • Never pour cheese sauce over cold chips or it'll congeal instantly into a gloppy mess; timing is everything.
  • Fresh lime juice squeezed right onto the plate before eating is non-negotiable; it cuts through the richness and makes every bite taste lighter.
03 -
  • A splash of white wine in the sauce adds sophistication nobody expects from nachos—just a splash, nothing more.
  • Toasted cumin seeds sprinkled over the top right before serving add a nutty depth that people notice but can't quite name.
  • If you're serving a crowd, make the sauce in batches and keep it warm in a slow cooker on low, drizzling it over fresh chips as needed.
Return