Trash Can Nachos are Super Easy & Perfect for Gatherings!

Trash Can Nachos are Super Easy & Perfect for Gatherings!

Hey Y’all! Can you believe it’s the middle of November already?? Ugh! Anyhoo! I do have a new recipe to share that my family absolutely loves, Trash Can Nachos. It’s a recipe worth it’s weight in gold! Quick to make and quick to eat! This is one of those great foundation recipes where you can make a bunch of swaps and get a different result out of what is ultimately the same recipe. My version is packed full of the best things nachos have to offer while remaining completely customizable!

Did you know that while nachos were first made in Mexico, they were created for the American tourists in a border town restaurant in 1943? Ignacio “Nacho” Anaya is said to have created nachos on a whim at Victory Club restaurant. He grabbed some tostadas, covered them in cheese and melted it in a salamander. Then he topped the nachos with a jalapeno! They are largely considered Tex-Mex cuisine and there isn’t really any one way of making it aside from it having chips & melted cheese.

Swaps & Specs for Trash Can Nachos:

• Meat: Use chicken- strips or ground, steak, ground turkey, pulled pork, chorizo, bratwurst or smoked sausage. Try a different meat each time you make it!

• Toppings for nachos: black olives, green onions, sour cream, guacamole, hot sauce, jalapeno slices, or cilantro. Extra shredded cheese, chopped tomatoes and sour cream are great additions for the top.

• Use your favorite taco seasoning. Try my version here.

• You will need a very large stock pot or dutch oven to build the nachos in.

• Pick a platter that is larger than the top of your pot, that way when you flip it over, there won’t be any food falling out.

• Chips: I chose Doritos brand for this recipe, using both the Cool Ranch and Nacho Cheese versions.

• Switch it up and use the Flaming Hot ones. Use whatever chip you like, just not a thin one.

• Otherwise, it won’t hold up to the hearty toppings and probably will break or become soggy too fast.

• Cheese: I chose Mozzarella, Velveeta and a triple cheddar blend. I am working on a Velveeta alternative. I know a lot of folks are adverse to it.

This recipe is perfect for game day snack, parties or any other gathering. The ingredients are easy to find and most may already be in your pantry! Give it a try for the your next event! As always, if you have any questions, please reach out on one of my social media pages and I will try to get back to you ASAP. Thank you for your continued support!

Trash Can Nachos

This group favorite is absolutely loaded with flavor, meat, two cheeses, fresh veggies and topped with all your favorite toppings!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Servings 15 people

Calories 482 kcal

Equipment

• 1 Large Dutch oven to build nachos in
• 1 large platter to flip nachos onto

Ingredients

  

• 2 lbs lean ground beef
• 3-4 tbsp taco seasoning
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 jalapeno, diced
• 2 tbsp garlic, minced
• 2 roma tomatoes, diced
• 2 cups whole milk
• 16 oz velveeta, cubed
• 4 cups mozzarella, shredded
• 2 tbsp flour
• 1 bag nacho cheese corn chips
• 1 bag cool ranch corn chips
• 2 cups triple cheddar blend shredded

Optional add ins

• 1 4oz black olives, sliced
• 1 bunch green onions, chopped
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup guacamole

Instructions

 

• Brown the beef in a skillet and season with taco seasoning. Cook until no longer pink. Set aside.
  
• In a saucepan, hean a small amount of oil, add onion and jalapeno. Saute until soft. About 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant. Add flour and cook 2 minutes. Add milk and whisk to ensure no clumps. Add velveeta and mozzarella, stirring until melted.
  
• In a large stock pot or dutch oven, spray with non-stick spray. Begin first layer with 1/3 meat, 1/3 sour cream, 1/3 guacamole, 1/3 olives, 1/3 green onions,1/3 cheese sauce, half the bag of cool ranch chips in an even layer, then top with 1/3 shredded cheese.

  Repeat: 1/3 meat, 1/3 sour cream, 1/3 guacamole, 1/3 olives, 1/3 green onions,1/3 cheese sauce, half the bag of nacho cheese chips in an even layer, top with 1/3 shredded cheese.

  Repeat: 1/3 meat, 1/3 sour cream, 1/3 guacamole, 1/3 olives, 1/3 green onions,1/3 cheese sauce, add a mix of remaining chips in a layer.
  
• Place a platter over top of pan. Flip. Lift pot off. Top with remaining 1/3 shredded cheese, and any extra toppings you like.
  

Notes

• Swap up the meats to give a different taste and texture!
• Add your favorite toppings! Make it your own!
• Swap the chips for a hot flavor to kick up the heat!

Keyword doritos, nachos