Nachos may be one of my favorite snacks. If done right, every bite has something delicious. I love the different textures with crunchy tortilla chips and creamy cheese. I love the combination of hot and cold toppings. This recipe has two different types of cheese to make sure you never have the dreaded no cheese bite. The traditional melted cheddar cheese is great and I make a cheese sauce, like a queso, that fills in all those crannies. Customize these nachos with the toppings your family enjoys.

Tips:

• Make sure all the toppings are cooked when building your nachos.

• I recommend shredding your own cheese rather than buying it prepackaged.

• Add any protein you like to this dish. I used the shredded taco meat I made earlier, but try ground beef or turkey too.

• I prefer building my nachos in a casserole pan, but you can also use a cookie sheet.

Super Bowl Nachos

Serves a crowd

PREP 10 minutes

COOK 15 minutes

INGREDIENTS

2 bags of tortilla chips, one blue corn and one yellow corn

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

2 cups shredded chicken

1 can black beans, rinsed and drained

PICO DE GALLO

1 pint grape tomatoes, quartered

1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped

1 small white onion, chopped

1/4 cup cilantro, finely chopped

Kosher salt

CHEESE SAUCE

2 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 cups milk

2 1/2 cups pepper jack cheese, shredded

TOPPINGS (optional)

Sour cream

Diced avocado or guacamole

Sliced olives

Sliced green onions

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Prepare the pico de gallo by adding all the ingredients to a small bowl. Mix well and allow the ingredients to marry at least 30 minutes before enjoying.

2. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

3. Make the cheese sauce: Melt the butter in a medium saucepan. Add the flour and cook the mixture for 2 minutes, stirring it as it darkens.

4. Add the milk slowly and whisk until the mixture comes to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in the pepper jack cheese.

5. In a casserole pan place a layer of your tortilla chips. Begin building your nachos by adding a layer of cheese sauce, some beans, and shredded chicken. Finish that layer with the shredded cheddar. Continue layering your pan with one to two more layers ending with a final layer of cheddar cheese.

6. Bake the nachos for about 15 minutes or until everything is heated through the top is melted and .

7. Remove the nachos from the oven and add your pico de gallo and other cold toppings of your choice. Enjoy immediately.