Cajun Etouffee Nachos recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to crispy nachos? ›

Limiting the number of ingredients baked with the chips is the key to crispiness. Top chips with no more than two or three toppings. Choose from items such as black beans, refried beans, chopped grilled chicken, seasoned ground beef (browned and drained), or chopped jalapenos.

* Bring refrigerated toppings to room temperature before piling them onto the warm chips. * To prevent the chips from getting soggy, sprinkle grated or crumbled cheese on top and bake them in the oven for a few minutes. When melted, the cheese will act as a buffer between the chips and toppings.

Cook at a higher heat, limit ingredients and amounts that are loose (refried beans, chili, etc. When stacking the nachos, add ingredients to each stack watching the amount. I like to keep my nachos from getting soggy in the oven by using a preheated oven and cooking them on a high heat for a shorter amount of time.

Arrange half of tortilla chips onto prepared baking sheet in single layer, overlapping chips slightly. Top with half each of meat mixture, corn and black beans. Top with 2 cups cheese. Repeat Step 3 to create second layer with remaining beef, corn, beans and cheese.

Sharp cheddar gets my vote for nacho cheese. It melts smoothly without being stringy, while having a nice flavorful punch. You can use mild or medium cheddar if you prefer, but the flavor will be a bit blander. Monterey jack and pepper jack also melt really well into sauces and make a great white nacho cheese sauce.

Packaged, pre-shredded cheeses contain stabilizers which hinder their meltability. Shred your own cheese instead of chopping or tearing it: Smaller pieces will melt quicker, which means your nachos will be perfectly gooey without charred or overdone chips. One layer of chips and toppings is good.

It will only take about 5 to 10 minutes, so don't go too far! Don't add the cold/fresh toppings until AFTER the nachos come out of the oven. Add the toppings RIGHT before serving so the chips don't get soggy, especially with toppings like sour cream, salsa, and tomatoes.

Be sure to add a layer of aluminum foil or parchment paper to the bottom of your baking sheet before assembling the nachos. This will make clean up easy and prevent the nachos from sticking.

To achieve this, put one layer of chips on a baking sheet, then cover with cheese and toppings. Repeat until you've used everything up so that every bite is the same from beginning to end. Sprinkle on fresh toppings like cilantro, scallions, tomatoes, and pickled jalapenos on after the nachos come out of the oven.

Place tortilla chips in a single layer onto the prepared baking sheet. Top with ground beef mixture, black beans, corn and cheeses. Place into oven and bake until heated through and the cheeses have melted, about 5-6 minutes.

What is the best order of layers for nachos? ›

A great way to serve nachos to a larger party is to layer them, baking in between each layer. Start with a base of tortilla chips, cheese, salsa, jalapeño, and any warm fillings like meats and veggies. Once the cheese melts, remove from the oven, add another layer, and repeat.

Best Tortilla Chips for Nachos: Santitas Tortilla Triangles

These chips don't have a ton of flavor on their own, but the crispness and sturdiness of these chips make them the perfect vehicle for carrying hefty dips or nachos loaded with all of the toppings you enjoy.

“Because we have a rule here that if you order one nachos to share, one person cannot eat all of the fully loaded nachos.” Tim pretends to be surprised by the waiter setting ground rules but is called out by his date.

Pico de gallo (store bought or fresh), guacamole, sour cream, sliced jalapeños, diced onions and tomatoes, and fresh cilantro are classic fresh nacho toppings to sprinkle over top.

Place them in a metal pan, whether you've layered them or made separate little nacho bites with round chips. Place them in a 300F oven to crisp up, keeping a careful eye on them so they don't burn.

Heat your oven to 275° F (135° C) and cook for 5 to 10 minutes. Once your oven is at 275° F (135° C), place your nachos inside. Check on them after 5 minutes. If the cheese is melted and the chips are crispy, take them out.

Spread out a layer of chips, followed by an even distribution of meat and beans, then lots--I mean lots--of cheese. Complete coverage guarantees you don't commit the cardinal sin of nacho making: the sad chip with no topping. Repeat until you have an impressive tray a few layers high, then bake.

As many as you like. I usually have one layer of chips, then cheese, more chips, meat of choice, choped tomatoes, onion, cliantro, salsa and sour cream.