Chili Cheese Nachos are nachos piled high with my homemade chili and cheese sauce. It’s similar to my Chili Cheese Fries but served with tortilla chips instead. There are really no rules for nachos anymore, and this just gives your average chips and cheese a boost!
Chili Cheese Nachos
Nachos have definitely evolved throughout the years, and there really are no ‘wrong’ ingredients to use on your next nacho creation. Take it from me–I even have a Banana Split Nachos recipe. But sometimes, I just feel like having more of a traditional snack that fills me up and is satisfying! When chips and cheese just aren’t enough, add some chili. Chili Cheese Nachos could even be a meal!
Chili Cheese Nachos Ingredients
When I go to a ballgame and order nachos, it’s usually simply chips and nacho cheese. That is okay, but I sometimes crave a little more than that! Adding my homemade chili and cheese sauce to tortilla chips takes basic nachos and kicks them up a notch. These are traditional enough to not scare anyone away from enjoying them, and it’s easy for guests to add as much or as little of the chili and cheese as they want.
How to Make Homemade Chili
This homemade chili is a lot like my Grandma’s Homemade Chili recipe, with just a few more spices. Try them both for my Chili Cheese Nachos!
Ingredients (chili recipe if you make it from scratch)
- ground beef
- onion
- garlic
- kidney beans
- diced tomatoes
- tomato paste
- green chilis
- cumin
- onion powder
- garlic powder
- chili powder
- salt and pepper
Instructions
Cook and stir the ground beef, chopped onion, and garlic in a skillet over medium heat until crumbly and browned, 5 to 10 minutes. After draining the beef, stir in kidney beans, tomatoes, tomato paste, chilis, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, and chili powder together in a large pot over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are slightly tender and chili is heated through. This should take about 10-15 minutes.
How to Make Cheese Sauce
Say CHEESE! This cheese sauce will be the layering piece to your Chili Cheese Nachos. It is easy to make, and so delicious!
Ingredients (full recipe card below)
- heavy whipping cream
- shredded sharp cheddar
- shredded pepper jack
- salt
- onion powder
- garlic powder
- chili powder
Heat up the heavy cream until the sides start to bubble. Next, reduce the heat and add the cheeses and seasonings until the cheese is completely melted. Pour the melted cheese onto the bottom of a plate to start your tower of Chili Cheese Nachos. Add a layer of tortilla chips on top of your cheese sauce. Next, add another layer of chips, more cheese, and some chile. Grab some more chips to your pile, pour on a little more chili and top it all off with a final layer of cheese. I added green onions, jalapenos, and sour cream to the recipe in case you or your guests want to add one, two, or all three of the toppings. I enjoy the Chili Cheese Nachos just as much with our without the extra toppings.
INGREDIENTS
CHILI
- 1 pound of ground beef
- 1/2 onion chopped fine
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, drained
- 1 (15 ounce) can of diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 (2 ounce) can of green chilies
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- salt and pepper to taste
CHEESE SAUCE
- 1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream
- 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar
- 2 cups shredded pepper jack
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
- Green onion
- Jalapeno
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- 1 bag (13 ounces) salted tortilla chips
INSTRUCTIONS
CHILI
Cook and stir ground beef, chopped onion, and garlic in a skillet over medium heat until crumbly and browned, 5 to 10 minutes. Drain.
Stir drained ground beef, kidney beans, tomatoes, tomato paste, chili, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, and chili powder together in a large pot over medium-high heat.
Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are slightly tender and chili is heated through. (15 to 20 minutes)
Season with salt and ground black pepper to taste.
CHEESE SAUCE
In a medium sauce pan, heat up heavy cream until bubbles start to form around the sides. Reduce heat to low and stir in cheeses and seasonings until the cheese is completely melted.
To assemble the dish, spread some cheese on the bottom of the plate, then pile some tortilla chips on top of the cheese, add a little more cheese, top with chili, more chips, chili, and cheese sauce and garnish with green onion and jalapeños and sour cream.
