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Baked Nachos

Baked nachos are a comforting dish featuring crispy chips layered with melted cheese and flavorful toppings, then baked until bubbly and golden. The process involves oven baking to melt the cheese and roast the toppings, resulting in a crispy yet gooey final texture with a warm, inviting appearance. It’s a simple, crowd-pleasing dish perfect for casual gatherings or cozy nights in.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 22 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 480
Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups sturdy corn chips preferably thick and crunchy
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese melty and mild
  • 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese adds stretch and smoky flavor
  • 1 small jalapeños sliced, fresh or pickled
  • 1 cup diced tomatoes fresh for brightness
  • 1 teaspoon cumin for depth of flavor
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder adds smoky spice
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil for drizzling
  • to taste salt and pepper season to preference
  • 0.5 cup chopped cilantro for freshness, added after baking
  • 1 cup sour cream for serving, optional

Equipment

  • Large oven-safe dish
  • Grater
  • Mixing bowl
  • Baking sheet or dish
  • Oven mitts

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 200°C (390°F). Prepare a large oven-safe dish and spread a layer of sturdy corn chips evenly across the bottom, creating a flat base.
  2. Combine the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses in a mixing bowl, then sprinkle generously over the chips, covering them evenly for a gooey cheese layer.
  3. Scatter sliced jalapeños and diced tomatoes evenly on top of the cheese layer, then sprinkle with cumin and chili powder for added flavor.
  4. Drizzle a teaspoon of olive oil over the toppings to help them crisp and enhance the flavor as it bakes.
  5. Place the dish in the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling and golden around the edges, and toppings have roasted slightly.
  6. Remove the dish from the oven carefully with oven mitts, and let it rest for 2 minutes to allow the cheese to set slightly.
  7. Sprinkle freshly chopped cilantro over the hot nachos for a bright, herbal finish, and serve immediately with dollops of sour cream if desired.