This is the BEST nachos recipe! You can whip up these easy baked nachos in a pinch. This Super Bowl appetizer is simple to prepare (and serve), leaving you with more time to socialize, eat, and enjoy the game!
Click HERE to save this recipe for Ultimate Easy Nachos to Pinterest!
The Best Nachos Recipe
Logan is super excited about the big game this weekend. We’ve only been hearing about 20 times a day for the last week how cool it is that the Broncos are going to the 2016 Super Bowl.
OH MY GOSH!
CAN.YOU.BELIEVE.IT.MOM???
BEST.THING.EVER!!
Madeline is like, Logan, we know!
Me? I’m excited for Logan because he’s excited. But, I’m really all about the chance to make some of my favorite snacks and hang out with my friends.
I love snack foods and appetizers. And I’m really digging this easy nachos recipe. Honestly, sometimes I’m amazed that I don’t weigh 500 pounds because this girl really loves to eat.
Dips and chips, pizza, baked nachos, fries, salsa and guacamole…they all call to me. Foods like that along with some adult socialization are exactly why I love Super Bowl Parties. And no party is complete without one of the best Super Bowl foods of all time — NACHOS.
Loaded Nachos Ingredients
The great thing about these baked nachos is that you can doctor them up with almost any toppings you want. Here’s what I used to make these loaded nachos:
- Tortilla chips
- Refried beans
- Sour cream
- Spices
- Shredded Mexican cheese blend
- Roma tomato
- Green onion
- Sliced black olives
- Salsa
- Shredded lettuce
For the complete ingredient list and detailed instructions, scroll to the bottom of this post for the FREE printable recipe card.
Click HERE to save this recipe for Ultimate Easy Nachos to Pinterest!
How to Make Nachos in the Oven
What is easier than covering a baking tray with crunchy tortilla chips, topping it with spicy refried beans and cheese, and popping it in the oven for a few minutes? Nothing, really!
After the beans are hot and the cheese transforms into melty, gooey goodness, sprinkle plenty of diced tomatoes, green onions, lettuce, and black olives on top of the baked nachos and serve.
How to Serve Baked Nachos
I think guest-assembles, DIY, or serve your self style meals and snacks are perfect for when having a crowd over to watch the game. People can eat when they’re ready, and make it how they want it, all while allowing the host or hostess to sit down and enjoy the party. Guests will love to pile on the customizations on their own plates.
Serve these Ultimate Easy Nachos along side a bowl of this Easy Restaurant Style Salsa, Sour Cream, and shredded lettuce. This Nachos recipe will be a guaranteed crowd pleaser!
Can I Add Meat to These Easy Nachos?
If you’d like to add meat to this recipe for Ultimate Easy Nachos, this Crock Pot Mexican Chicken is an easy and delicious option. Just add the chicken at the same time as you do the beans and cheese, before you bake the chips.
If you prefer beef to chicken, brown a 1/2 pound of ground beef with this Homemade Spicy Taco Seasoning. Then, add that to the loaded nachos.
For a pork option, try this Slow Cooker Southwestern Pulled Pork.
More Nacho Toppings to Try
The sky’s the limit when setting out nacho toppings. Here are a few of my family’s favorite nacho toppings to enjoy with these baked loaded nachos:
- Pickled or fresh jalapeños
- Diced onion
- Diced avocado
- Corn
- Pico de Gallo
- Hot sauce
- Queso blanco
- Homemade guacamole
- Mango salsa

Click HERE to save this recipe for Ultimate Easy Nachos to Pinterest!
Tips for Making the Best Nachos
For an extra kick, add a few dashes of hot sauce into the refried bean mixture before dolloping it over the tortilla chips. If you’ll be serving these baked nachos to kids, be careful with the amount of spice you add!
You’re welcome to use any shredded cheese you have on hand for these easy nachos. I prefer using a Mexican cheese blend, but sharp cheddar or Colby Jack would also work.
It goes without saying that you can doctor up your nachos however you see fit. Play around with the toppings and give your guests lots of options so they can really load up their nachos.
More Super Bowl Appetizers:
In case you’re looking for some more Super Bowl recipe ideas to go along with the best nachos recipe, check out some of these tasty links:
You can’t go wrong with the amazing flavor profile of this Caramelized Onion Bacon Blue Cheese Dip.
Strawberry Mango Salsa and Easy Cinnamon Sugar Chips is perfect for something fresh and healthy (but still tasty!). Try it!
It isn’t game day without guacamole. Roasted Salsa Verde and Tomatillo Guacamole or Deconstructed Guacamole will both be a hit.
Roasted Red Pepper Hummus goes great with a veggie tray.
If you’re serving burgers or sliders, these Tex-Mex Oven Fries are a must-make.
Can’t decide if you want Pizza or Easy Nachos? Have both with this Easy Black Bean Mexican Pizza.
Still need more game day appetizer ideas? Look no further than this list of 20 Tasty Super Bowl Snack Recipes.
What is your favorite way to eat nachos? What is your nachos recipe?
Love this recipe for Ultimate Easy Nachos? Sign up for Good Life Eats email updates and never miss another recipe!

Ultimate Easy Nachos
These Ultimate Easy Nachos whip up in a pinch and make game day appetizers super simple to prepare (and serve). Topped with spicy refried beans, tomatoes, olives, green onions, and of course plenty of cheese, they're both tasty and colorful.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces Restaurant-Style Tortilla Chips (about 8 cups)
- 1 can (16 ounces) Refried Beans
- 1/2 cup Sour Cream
- 2 tablespoons Chile Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Ground Cumin
- 1 package (8 ounces) finely shredded Mexican Cheese Blend
- 1 cup diced Roma Tomato
- 1/4 cup sliced Green Onion
- 1 - 2.25 ounces can Sliced Black Olives
- 1/2 cup Restaurant Style Salsa
- 1/2 cup Sour Cream
- 2 cups Shredded Romaine or Iceberg Lettuce
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F and place the rack in the center position.
- Line 2 large baking sheets with foil or parchment paper.
- Place the chips in a single layer on the prepared pans.
- In a medium saucepan, combine the refried beans, sour crean, chile powder, garlic powder, and ground cumin.
- Stir until well mixed.
- Warm the bean mixture over medium heat until heated through, stirring every couple of minutes.
- Using a spatula, spread the bean mixture on the chips, dividing evenly between the two pans.
- Sprinkle the pans with the cheese, using 4 ounces per pan.
- Place the baking sheets in the oven and bake for 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and top with diced tomatoes, green onion, and black olives.
- Serve with sides of Easy Restaurant Style Salsa, Sour Cream, and Shredded Lettuce.
Notes
If you'd like to add meat to the nachos, add about 1/2 pound of meat at the same time as you do the beans and cheese, before you bake the chips.
I recommend this Shredded Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken or ground beef browned with this Homemade Spicy Taco Seasoning.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nutrition Information
Yield 12 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 180Total Fat 9gSaturated Fat 3gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 5gCholesterol 14mgSodium 294mgCarbohydrates 21gFiber 3gSugar 2gProtein 5g
Be sure to follow Good Life Eats on Instagram. Tag @goodlifeeats and include the hashtag #goodlifeeatsrecipes so I can see what you’re cooking up in YOUR kitchen!
Click HERE to save this recipe for Ultimate Easy Nachos to Pinterest!
Top 20 Super Bowl Recipes
Check out our Reader Favorite Top 20 Super Bowl Recipes that will keep your guests coming back for more . . . and even more.
They are all game day approved, tested by the football fans and the food lovers so they’re sure to be a hit!
Ultimate Easy Nachos
These Ultimate Easy Nachos whip up in a pinch and make game day appetizers super simple to prepare (and serve). Topped with spicy refried beans, tomatoes, olives, green onions, and of course plenty of cheese, they're both tasty and colorful.
Simplest Homemade Fudgy Brownies
Easy Homemade Fudgy Brownies are the perfect quick dessert to whip up at home. They only take a few minutes and totally satisfy your chocolate cravings. Just like the recipe promises, they're easy! Plus, I bet you have all the ingredients on hand.
Crock Pot Mexican Chicken
Crock Pot Mexican Chicken is the perfect shredded chicken recipe for your next Mexican recipe. Packed with flavor and super tender thanks to hours in the crock pot, this recipe is sure to please!
Easy Baked Wonton Chicken Taquitos
Baked Wonton Chicken Taquitos are so easy to prepare, you'll be amazed. They make a great addition to your next football viewing party as a great appetizer, as part of a Cinco de Mayo Celebration, or even as an appetizer for your next Mexican Night at home. Shredded chicken is super versatile for weeknight dinners.
Easy Smoked Chicken
Easy Smoked Chicken is a great summer meal. The chicken turns out incredibly flavorful, tender and juicy. Perfect for BBQs or any time you want to cook a whole chicken but want to do something a little different than traditional roasting.
Cucumber Feta Rolls
These Cucumber Feta Rolls are the perfect appetizer for any occasion! Crispy, cool cucumbers are rolled up with a creamy feta mixture in the middle.
Asian Salad Wonton Cup Appetizers
Recipes like these Asian Salad Wonton Cups satisfy my cravings for cool, crunchy recipes. They also make great party appetizers!
Braised Short Rib and Bacon Chili
This Braised Short Rib and Bacon Chili has chunks of tender beef short ribs, peppers kidney beans, in a thick chili base.
Restaurant Style Salsa
This Easy Restaurant Style Salsa is so good and so easy to make! It is perfect for Taco Tuesdays or as a Super Bowl Appetizer served with Nachos or Tortilla Chips.
Cilantro Lime Broccoli Slaw
This Cilantro Lime Broccoli Slaw is a tasty side dish to accompany any Mexican inspired meal. Pre-packaged shredded broccoli, carrots, red cabbage are tossed with jalapeño, lime, red onion, and red bell pepper for a refreshing side salad.
Greek Puff Pastry Appetizers with Kalamata Olives
Puff pastry shells are baked and filled with a mixture of kalamata olives, red bell pepper, fresh oregano, feta, and spinach with a lemony olive oil vinaigrette for a scrumptious puff pastry appetizer perfect for any party.
Broccoli Cheese Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes
Next time you're craving comfort food, try these Broccoli Cheese Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes. They're loaded up with plenty of broccoli, cheese, and - everyone's favorite - bacon!
"Cheesy" Kale Chips
These “Cheesy” Kale Chips are a great, healthy way to satisfy your cravings for something salty and cheesy. Nutritional yeast gives them a nutrient-rich cheesy flavor without any added dairy.
Cucumber and Avocado Sandwich
Thinly sliced, cool cucumbers are layered with mashed avocado and cream cheese spread on whole grain bread to make this satisfying Cucumber and Avocado Sandwich.
Caramelized Onion Bacon Blue Cheese Dip
Caramelized Onion Bacon Blue Cheese Dip is a revamped and homemade version of the classic onion dip. This dip has tons of flavor thanks to the addition of blue cheese and plenty of crumbled bacon. It is a perfect appetizer to enjoy while watching the Super Bowl, or any of your favorite sports on game day.
Easy Roasted Salsa Verde
This easy roasted salsa verde takes just a few minutes to prep once you've roasted the veggies. It is perfect for homemade green enchilada sauce, smothered burritos, or simply as a green salsa to serve with chips.
Game Day Crock-Pot Queso con Carne with Crock-Pot® Brand
Game Day entertaining and homemade Slow Cooker Queso con Carne is a cinch thanks to your Crock-Pot® Slow Cooker. Game Day Slow Cooker Queso con Carne features gooey cheese combined with spicy meat, tomatoes, and plenty of tortilla chips for scooping. It is perfect for all your homegating parties.
Tex-Mex Oven Fries
In these Tex-Mex Oven Fries, sliced russet and sweet potatoes are tossed a cilantro lime garlic mixture as soon as they come out of the oven and served alongside a duo of dipping sauces: Chipotle Lime Ranch and Avocado Ranch.
Queso Blanco with Roasted Corn, Kale, and Tomatoes
Queso Blanco with Roasted Corn, Kale, and Tomatoes
Spicy Chili Lime Roasted Chickpeas
These Spicy Chili Lime Roasted Chickpeas are a satisfying, yet healthy, crunchy snack.
Alina
Sunday 7th of April 2019
Katie, it looks so yummy! I love the step-by-step instructions, making it an easy recipe to follow!
Olga
Sunday 24th of March 2019
Katie, bravo! What a great idea! Love this. I’m sure this is incredibly delicious!