Baked Skillet Nachos

Delicious layers of chips, gooey cheese and toppings that are baked to perfection in the oven. These easy skillet nachos take less than 20 minutes and are the perfect appetizer, lunch or dinner!

Game Day Skillet Nachos

Is there anything you can’t do in a cast iron skillet? Whether it’s these cheesy loaded nachos, skillet breakfast potatoes, oven baked steak or even a dessert pizookie, the cast iron is a tried and true kitchen utensil to definitely have in your arsenal.

Now you may be thinking, nachos…do we really need a recipe for chips and cheese? Why, yes we do, friends! Because if you’re anything like my husband, you’ll grab some pre-shredded cheese from the refrigerator and pile it on top of some chips and put it in the microwave.

The only thing wrong with that picture is the cheese comes out dried and hard. Yuck! I’m all about the ooey gooey cheese. And to achieve that gooeyness factor, it’s key to use the right kind of cheese (not pre-shredded!!), layers and piling on the toppings. Plus, nachos are a million times better baked in the oven if you ask me. :)

There is so much goodness on one plate and the flavors are out of this world. Seriously. Look at all that cheesy goodness. And the guac is pretty much a must with these skillet nachos too!

Just 4 Main Ingredients

Simply layer a few items you might already have on hand to create a hearty snack or a full meal.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

• Tortilla chips: It’s hard to have nachos without this key ingredient that make it so easy to eat and give the dish its necessary crunch.
• Shredded cheese: I like to use a mixture of mozzarella and fontina, but feel free to use your favorites.
• Refried beans: I love how this adds a heartiness to the nachos and provides a ton of flavor. I like black beans, but you can use pinto if you prefer.
• Red enchilada sauce: This sauce gives the nachos their kick of flavor with a bit of smokiness that rounds everything out.

Favorite Toppings

I’m definitely a toppings kind of girl, so load on the guacamole, salsa, cilantro, queso, jalapenos…you name it. The more, the better! You can even add shredded chicken or taco meat to make it a quick and easy meal.

• Cheese (mozzarella, Monterey jack or fontina)
• Beans (black, refried or pinto)
• Salsa (or salsa verde)
• Guacamole
• Pico de gallo or diced tomatoes
• Sour cream
• Jalapenos
• Green onions or red onion
• Avocado
• Cilantro
• Queso blanco or nacho cheese dip
• Black olives

How to Make Nachos in the Oven

1. Layer. Start by pouring a thin layer of red enchilada sauce across the bottom of a large skillet. Then spread the refried beans on top, followed by a small sprinkle of cheese. Next add a layer of tortilla chips with another layer of cheese (about 3/4 cup). Repeat with the chips and cheese until you have 3 layers. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top of the final layer of chips and then drizzle a few Tablespoons of enchilada sauce on top.
2. Bake. Place the skillet in the oven and bake the nachos until the cheese is bubbly and golden (this usually takes about 15 minutes).
3. Top. Remove from oven and then pile on any additional toppings of choice (check out my favorites above). Then serve immediately while hot!

Tips for the Best Skillet Nachos

• Shred your own cheese. Don’t use the pre-shredded bags. Buy a block of cheese and grate your own. The bags of pre-shredded cheese have extra additives that make it harder for them to melt. If you want that ooey gooey cheesy perfection, grate it yourself.
• Chips. Make sure you use chips that are thick, so that they don’t break and remain sturdy to hold all the toppings. You can even make your own homemade tortilla chips to take the baked nachos up a notch.
• Bake the base first. Layer on the base ingredients (chips, cheese, beans and enchilada sauce) and bake those first. Then once out of the oven, add the other toppings  (like salsa, guacamole, jalapeños) so that they stay fresh.

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