Queso Fundido Skillet Nachos
Grab your skillet and your appetite, because these Queso Fundido Skillet Nachos (pan-made nachos) feature all your favorite toppings: melty cheese, spicy chorizo, avocado, jalapeño, tomato, and more! They put the “fun” in “fundido.”
These Skillet Queso Fundido Nachos have been a favorite here since 2017. When classic queso fundido meets ultimate nachos – where Tex-Mex meet Mexican food.
Table of contents
How to Make Skillet Nachos
I use my favorite flat cast iron skillet. You can also use a large skillet/frying pan, sheet pan/baking pan/tray, or any large glass or ceramic baking dish. It just needs to be large and ovenproof. It’s important to have layers when making nachos rather than a big pile of chips with toppings on top. This way, the cheese melts over each and every chip.
We all know the best part of watching football on game day or the big game is the food. You can also make this easy, popular appetizer for a cozy movie night. This delicious appetizer gives you all the reasons you need to break out the crispy tortilla chips and pile on your favorite toppings.
Whether you’re hosting a crowd or treating yourself to a snack, this dish brings bold flavors, gooey cheese, and a satisfying crunch to the table.
What is Queso Fundido?
Queso Fundido is a warm, melted cheese dish commonly found in Mexican cuisine. The name translates to “melted cheese,” and that’s exactly what it is—a decadent, gooey cheese dip typically made with a blend of cheeses like Oaxaca cheese, Chihuahua, or Monterey Jack, topped with Mexican chorizo. A similar dish called Queso Flameado is often served flambéed (with a flame).
Queso for Nachos
As an alternative to melted cheese, Queso Blanco would be perfect.
Can you really have enough melted cheese on nachos? I don’t think so, and this recipe delivers plenty of it. Instead of scooping melted cheese and toppings separately, the toppings come loaded right on the chips.
Best Cheese for Nachos
Any good melting cheese works well. For this dish, I like Monterey Jack and cheddar (both white cheeses). If you want to make it spicier, pepper jack is a tasty option.
What is chorizo?
Chorizo is a type of highly seasoned pork sausage that originates from Spain and Mexico, but its popularity has spread globally due to its bold, rich flavor. It comes in two main varieties:
Spanish Chorizo
- Description: A cured and smoked sausage, typically made with pork and seasoned with smoked paprika (pimentón) and garlic.
- Texture: Firm and sliceable, like salami.
- Uses: Often eaten sliced as part of a charcuterie board, added to stews, or paired with cheese and bread.
Mexican Chorizo
- Description: A fresh, raw sausage made from ground pork (sometimes beef or other meats) and spiced with a mix of chili powders, vinegar, and garlic.
- Texture: Soft and crumbly when cooked.
- Uses: Cooked and used as a flavorful topping or filling for tacos, nachos, eggs, or quesadillas.
Key Differences
- Cured vs. Fresh: Spanish chorizo is ready to eat, while Mexican chorizo must be cooked before eating.
- Flavor Profiles: Spanish chorizo has a smoky, slightly sweet flavor, while Mexican chorizo is spicier and tangier due to the use of fresh chili and vinegar.
Chorizo is a type of highly seasoned pork sausage that originates from Spain and Mexico, but its popularity has spread globally due to its bold, rich flavor. It comes in two main varieties:
Mexican Chorizo on Nachos
This type of chorizo sausage must be cooked before adding to the nachos. Crumble it and simply cook in a pan over medium heat until browned.
Optional toppings for nachos
Chopped green onions, roasted bell peppers, pico de gallo, sour cream.
Queso Fundido Skillet Nachos
Video
Ingredients
- 1 pound (453 grams) Mexican chorizo, casings removed
- ½ cup (64 grams) yellow onion, finely chopped
- 22 ounces (614 grams) tortilla chips
- 1 cup (6 ounces/170 grams) Monterey jack cheese, grated. This is just a guideline, use more or less depending how cheesy you like them
- 1 cup (6 ounces/170 grams) cheddar cheese, grated. This is just a guideline, use more or less depending how cheesy you like them
- 1 cup (180 grams) can diced green chiles
- 1 (130 grams) pickled jalapeño slices
- 1 ½ cups black beans, drained
- 1 medium tomato, seeds removed and chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 avocado, diced
Instructions
- To a non-stick skillet or baking sheet/tray, add the chorizo and onion over medium heat and break up the chorizo while browning. Once browned and cooked, transfer to a bowl and set aside.
- Preheat oven to 375°F/195°C.
- To a large cast iron skillet, add a single layer of tortilla chips. Top with ¼ of the chorizo, both cheeses, green chiles, pickled jalapeños, beans, chopped tomato and cilantro. Repeat this layer.
- Bake in the oven for 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Top with diced avocado.
I have a question and I know this is an older post but hope you see this: Do you add the tortillas afterwards or what? Kinda confused, not really a nacho maker but wanted to try this recipe.
I get an email when there is a comment so I am always available to answer any questions 🙂
To help you, there is a step-by-step video that is in the post that should automatically play so you see how it comes together. You start with a layer of tortilla chips, then add the topping and repeat. I hope this helps and please come back and comment to let me know how you like the dish.
What a great recipe for game day! We love having this for a family gathering!
This is my ultimate game day appetizer! I could literally eat the entire thing!
I love anything with chorizo and these nachos look amazing!
Mmmm. queso fundido on nachos. Woohoo! Perfect! I too come from a very sports oriented city!! I can’t wait to make your delicious and beautiful appetizer!
Mmmmm, my kind of nachos! I’d devour these right about now!
Beautiful photos, Jeanette!
Chorizo makes everything extra tasty. No wonder these were gone so fast!