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Crispy Game Day Sheet Pan Nachos Recipe with Easy Three-Cheese Sauce

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A comforting and crispy sheet pan nachos recipe featuring a luscious three-cheese sauce, perfect for game day or casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz (340 g) sturdy corn tortilla chips (thick, restaurant-style)
  • 1 cup (150 g) cooked and seasoned ground beef or shredded rotisserie chicken (optional)
  • 1 small jalapeño, thinly sliced (remove seeds for less heat)
  • 1/2 cup (75 g) black olives, sliced
  • 1/2 cup (75 g) diced tomatoes (fresh or canned, drained)
  • 1/4 cup (10 g) chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
  • 1/4 cup (60 g) diced red onion (optional)
  • 4 oz (115 g) cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup (100 g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup (100 g) shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) whole milk
  • 1 tablespoon (14 g) unsalted butter
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Sour cream or Greek yogurt, for dolloping
  • Fresh lime wedges
  • Diced avocado or guacamole
  • Pickled jalapeños (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line your sheet pan with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
  2. Arrange the tortilla chips evenly on the sheet pan in a single layer.
  3. If using meat, scatter cooked ground beef or shredded chicken evenly over the chips.
  4. Scatter jalapeño slices, black olives, diced tomatoes, and red onion evenly over the top.
  5. Bake in the oven for 8–10 minutes until chips crisp further and toppings warm through.
  6. While nachos bake, prepare the three-cheese sauce: melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat.
  7. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  8. Stir in softened cream cheese until smooth.
  9. Slowly whisk in milk, then shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses.
  10. Keep stirring until cheese melts and sauce is smooth and creamy. Add smoked paprika, salt, and pepper to taste.
  11. If sauce is too thick, add more milk to reach desired consistency.
  12. Remove sheet pan from oven and immediately drizzle hot cheese sauce evenly over nachos.
  13. Return to oven and bake for an additional 2–3 minutes to meld flavors without sogginess.
  14. Remove from oven and garnish with fresh cilantro, dollops of sour cream or Greek yogurt, diced avocado, and lime wedges.
  15. Serve immediately for maximum crispness.

Notes

For crispier chips, bake chips alone for 5 minutes before adding toppings. Reheat cheese sauce gently with milk if it thickens. Avoid microwaving leftovers to prevent sogginess. Vegan adaptations possible using plant-based cheeses and chips.

Nutrition

Keywords: nachos, sheet pan nachos, three-cheese sauce, game day snack, crispy nachos, easy nachos, cheese sauce, crowd-pleaser

Find it online: https://eliplate.com/crispy-game-day-sheet-pan-nachos-recipe-with-easy-three-cheese-sauce/