• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Good Cheap Eats
  • About
    • Welcome to the Good Cheap Eats Kitchen
    • Media
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosure
    • Contact Me
  • Members Only
    • Login
    • Club Homepage
    • Club Resource Library
    • Downloads
    • Live Club Events
  • Recipe Index
  • Recent Posts
  • SHOP
    • Purchases
    • Cookbooks
    • Planner
    • The Good Cheap Eats Club
    • Meal Plans
    • Holiday Helps
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Start Here
  • All Recipes
  • Mother’s Day Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • Shop
  • Join the Club
  • Cookbooks
  • About
  • Contact Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Start Here
    • All Recipes
    • Mother’s Day Recipes
    • Subscribe
    • Shop
    • Join the Club
    • Cookbooks
    • About
    • Contact Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Main Dishes

    How To Make Good Nachos (aka Not Soggy Nachos!)

    Published: Sep 17, 2009 · Modified: May 22, 2021 by Jessica Fisher

    FacebookTweetPinPrint
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more details, please see our disclosure policy.
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Like I mentioned earlier, several nights a week are spent engaged in watching football games at our house. The boys love to watch. FishPapa loves to watch. FishChick loves to be wherever they are.

    Me? I’m just there for the food.

    And football season is all about food as far as I’m concerned. As you know, we love Mexican food around here. And last week when all the very-expensive-not-bought-with-a-coupon-simply-because-we-wanted-them taco shells turned out to be shards of broken, unsalvageable taco shells, I thought quickly on my feet. I knew we had tortilla chips and we obviously had taco fixings. So we made nachos.

    But, not your ordinary nachos. Oh no.

    A plate of chips with bowl of nacho toppings

    Want to save this post?

    Enter your email below and get it sent straight to your inbox. Plus, I’ll send you budget recipes and money-saving tips every week!

    Save Recipe

    I made nachos that don’t get soggy.

    {And all God’s children said, “Amen.”}

    Instead of piling all the toppings onto a pile of chips and letting the whole mess go mushy, I piled all the toppings onto a small plate Everybody made his own custom dip with chips on the side. And since I provided lots of healthy toppings, I didn’t feel bad that our family was also eating a ton of tortilla chips. (You could always served baked chips, if you want.)

    A plate of not soggy nachos

    Not Soggy Nachos

    Enjoy the best nachos possible, the not soggy nachos! This ingenious method allows you to enjoy your chip as well as all the flavorful toppings, too.
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Appetizer, Main Course
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 25 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 1081kcal
    Author: Jessica Fisher

    Ingredients

    • 1 lb ground beef or turkey
    • 1 to 2 tablespoon taco seasoning mix
    • 2 15-ounce cans Refried Beans
    • 8 oz cheddar cheese (shredded) 2 cups
    • 1 18-ounce bag tortilla chips
    • toppings for nachos : fresh salsa, diced avocado, sliced olives, sliced green onion, sour cream, tortilla chips

    Instructions

    • In a large skillet, cook the ground beef until cooked through, about 7 to 10 minutes. Season to taste with taco seasoning mix. Add the beans and continue to heat. Add a bit of water if the mixture looks dry.
    • Divide the mixture into four bowls and top with cheese. Serve with chips and toppings on the side.

    Notes

    Nutritional values are approximate.
    Consider making your own refried beans: Healthier Refried Beans

    Nutrition

    Calories: 1081kcal | Carbohydrates: 85g | Protein: 42g | Fat: 65g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Cholesterol: 125mg | Sodium: 1015mg | Potassium: 623mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 437IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 525mg | Iron: 5mg
    Tried this recipe?Tell us what you think! Your reviews help us develop better recipes and give newcomers the confidence to try your favorites. Scroll down to leave a starred comment.
    chip scooping into nacho topping

    Got a better-for-you snack or appetizer perfect for a football party? Share it with us!

    « Quick Seasoned Rice for Stovetop or Instant Pot
    French Food 101: The Cheese Board for Dessert »
    FacebookTweetPinPrint

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Tammy

      July 25, 2013 at 1:04 pm

      Ha ha ~ we call these inside out tacos! created out of necessity years ago on a camping trip … the taco shells got smashed and we ended up dipping the taco meat/fixing with the corn thrown right on top ~ that was to have been the side dish! Love calling them not soggy nachos! Brilliant ~

      Reply
    2. Wow

      September 30, 2012 at 9:05 pm

      Hooray!!!!

      That’s an awesome idea! And yet, DUH! Why didn’t I think of that? Glop on the side to dip the chips into?

      It’s always bugged me that every place you get nachos (the everything ones, not the movie theater kind with melted Velveeta and sliced jalapeños), there is always that uneven ratio of glop to chips.

      Never enough chips, and the ones you do unbury, are like little, yellow pieces of dishcloth.

      Thanks for the great idea! This will also make it so vegetarian friends can have their glop meat-free. 🙂

      Reply
      • Jessica Fisher

        September 30, 2012 at 9:22 pm

        yellow pieces of dishcloth

        Awesome. And so true. LOL

        Reply
    3. Christy, the Notable Blogger

      December 31, 2009 at 11:33 pm

      I'm making this right now! (Well, after I get up.)

      Reply
    4. DarcyLee

      September 18, 2009 at 12:58 pm

      We love Mexican food, too. Your nachos look amazing!

      Reply
    5. shopannies

      September 18, 2009 at 12:40 am

      thanks for this great recipe sure to be a hit at my house
      [email protected]

      Reply
    6. Andrea C.

      September 17, 2009 at 11:21 pm

      My all-time favorite appetizer is one that my mom made many many times while I was growing up. It's 'queso' but SOOOO much better than 'just' queso! 🙂

      16 oz. Velveeta (to make healthier, use velveeta made with 2%!)
      1 pkg. (8 oz.) reduced fat cream cheese
      16 oz. picante sauce
      1 lb. lean ground beef (I usually buy 93% lean)

      Brown beef, drain. Add all ingredients to either a crockpot, or a saucepan, cook until all cheeses are melted. Serve with tortilla chips. Yum!
      You will not be sorry if you make this! It's amazing!

      Reply
    7. MH in OH

      September 17, 2009 at 8:04 pm

      A better-for-you dip adapted from the Betty Crocker Healthy Heart cookbook –
      Cook garlic and rosemary in olive oil, add a can of cannellini beans and 1/4 c chicken broth. Mash the beans. Add some parsley and 1 c shredded parmesan cheese. Serve warm with fresh veggies and your favorite chips, like baked Tostitos, for dipping. This dip is also good leftover, reheated the next day.
      orangetriangle2 AT yahoo DOT com

      Reply
    8. Twinsmom

      September 17, 2009 at 5:08 pm

      I had my post all finished and posted after looking at the schedule for URS, and only just now, getting read to post in Mr. Linky, did I see the words "better for you." *Sigh* My snack is definitely not better for you! Oh well, I'll be ready next week!

      Reply
    9. Amy Green (Simply Sugar & Gluten-Free)

      September 17, 2009 at 3:43 pm

      My hummus is one that even men will love – my husband (a picky eater!) even loves this version. And instead of tons of olive oil, I use yogurt, tahini, and water. It really is delicious.

      Reply
    10. Susie

      September 17, 2009 at 2:40 pm

      That looks soooooo yummy:-)

      Reply
    11. The Real Me!

      September 17, 2009 at 10:37 am

      You gotta love nachos that don't get soggy!!! Woo! Hoo!
      Blessings,
      Kim

      Reply
    12. DeAnn

      September 17, 2009 at 9:50 am

      I posted my recipe for Almost Homemade Salsa. It's so easy and yummy, too! 🙂

      Reply
    13. Kara

      September 17, 2009 at 5:35 am

      Yum! Now I'm hungry…time for a midnight snack! Who could ever get tired of Mexican food?! This is a great idea.

      Reply
    14. Hoosier Homemade

      September 17, 2009 at 3:46 am

      No Way! Am I really first? That was worth staying up late for! 🙂
      Thanks for hosting! Those nachos look amazing!
      ~Liz

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    jessica from good cheap eats

    Hi, I'm Jessica! I'm a 4x cookbook author and 6x mom. I know what it is to be in a hurry and on a budget. I believe anyone can prepare delicious meals -- no matter what's on their plate. I've been featured on Good Morning America, PBS News Hour, and NBC.

    More about me

    collage of media outlets where good cheap eats has been featured.
    teal graphic with the words, do you know what's for dinner tonight.

    Mexican Food Recipes

    • close up of crockpot enchiladas on a blue plate with fork and salad.
      Easy Crockpot Chicken Enchiladas
    • close up of freezer burrito cut in half in paper-lined basket.
      Easy Freezer Burrito Recipe with Chicken, Beans, & Cheese
    • overhead shot of bowl of salsa verde beef.
      Shredded Salsa Verde Beef (5-Ingredient Recipe)
    • side view of buffalo chicken quesadillas with filling coming out of sides.
      Easy Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas Recipe
    • jar of jalapeño salsa with sliced chiles on top and bunch of cilantro and whole on table beside.
      Easy Homemade Salsa Recipe [VIDEO]
    • spoon of chicken taco soup over the bowl of soup.
      Chicken Taco Soup

    Reader Favorites

    • asian marinated chicken breast sliced on a plate with rice and veg.
      5-Minute Asian Chicken Marinade Recipe
    • close-up of cream of celery soup in a jar with celery leaves behind.
      Homemade Cream of Celery Soup Recipe
    • small glass pitcher of milk on black background.
      20+ Easy Milk Recipes to Use Up the Leftover Gallon
    • with a fork fluffing the baked rice in the pan with steam rising.
      Baked Rice: How to Cook Rice in the Oven
    • green onions added to meal prep salads.
      Meal Prep Salads for Easy Lunches You’ll Want to Eat
    • best pulled pork in a freezer container to freeze.
      Best Pulled Pork Recipe
    jessica from good cheap eats

    Hi, I'm Jessica! I'm a 4x cookbook author and 6x mom. I know what it is to be in a hurry and on a budget. I believe anyone can prepare delicious meals -- no matter what's on their plate. I've been featured on Good Morning America, PBS News Hour, and NBC.

    More about me

    collage of media outlets where good cheap eats has been featured.
    teal graphic with the words, do you know what's for dinner tonight.

    Mexican Food Recipes

    • chicken enchilada bake on plate with side dishes.
      60+ Budget-Friendly Mexican Dinner Ideas
    • close up of chips in black bowl.
      3 Ways to Make Homemade Tortilla Chips
    • the finished plate of loaded nachos.
      Nacho Bar
    • cooked taco meat in oval dish with taco toppings nearby.
      Easy Homemade Taco Meat
    • overhead shot of jalapeno cream cheese dip with sliced jalapeños on top and a spoon twirled in the cheese.
      Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip
    • closeup of Spanish brown rice in white bowl.
      Spanish Brown Rice (Mexican Brown Rice)

    Reader Favorites

    • asian marinated chicken breast sliced on a plate with rice and veg.
      5-Minute Asian Chicken Marinade Recipe
    • close-up of cream of celery soup in a jar with celery leaves behind.
      Homemade Cream of Celery Soup Recipe
    • small glass pitcher of milk on black background.
      20+ Easy Milk Recipes to Use Up the Leftover Gallon
    • with a fork fluffing the baked rice in the pan with steam rising.
      Baked Rice: How to Cook Rice in the Oven
    • green onions added to meal prep salads.
      Meal Prep Salads for Easy Lunches You’ll Want to Eat
    • best pulled pork in a freezer container to freeze.
      Best Pulled Pork Recipe

    Footer

    back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Shipping Policy
    • Return Policy
    • Digital Shop

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • About

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 Good Cheap Eats