Nacho ideas

Whether you're planning a get-together for the big game or having friends over for drinks, let our nachos tips and recipes inspire you. From meaty feasts to veggie and vegan ideas, there's a nacho to suit everyone's taste. We've a host of ideas for new salsas and sauces too. Be warned, though: these are so delicious, you might want a bowl all to yourself.

Building nachos

In its simplest form, a tray of nachos starts with a layer of tortilla chips in an ovenproof skillet or shallow roasting tin. Then add spoonfuls of your meat, poultry, fish or veggies, drizzle over some queso, grated cheese, chopped pickled jalapeños, and pop into a hot oven – 190°C (375°F) – for around 20 minutes until the cheese has melted and it's all piping hot. Serve with tomato salsa, guacamole, refried beans, lime wedges, sour cream and chopped coriander.

How to make queso

A Tex-Mex favourite, queso is a spicy hot cheese dip which is perfect drizzled over nachos. Melt 225g (8oz) grated strong Cheddar cheese (we like a mixture of smoked and unsmoked cheese) with a can of evaporated milk and 1tbsp cornstarch. Stir in 110g (4oz) cream cheese until melted. Add two chopped green chillies, a squeeze of lime juice and chopped fresh coriander, and top with tomato salsa.

Try blue corn tortilla chips

These blue tortilla chips are totally natural, made from a blue corn which grows in Mexico and New Mexico. They add a bit of colourful fun to your nachos, and are slightly higher in protein and lower in starch than their yellow corn counterparts.

Make your own tortilla chips

Have a go at making your own tortilla chips. Cut flour tortillas into wedges, brush with olive oil, then sprinkle over sea salt and paprika. Bake in a hot oven for 10-15 minutes until crisp. Some recipes say to fry them, but this makes them too oily, and it's the crunch you want.

Pineapple salsa

Try a different take on a side salsa to serve with your nachos. Mix together diced pineapple with finely chopped red onion, the juice and zest of a lime, a chopped jalapeño and chopped fresh coriander and mint. You can add in some chopped mango too. It's refreshing and sharp, the perfect foil to all that cheese and sour cream.

Fresh corn salsa

A sweetcorn salsa adds welcome crunch and sweetness to your nachos party. Cook whole corn cobs in boiling water for a few minutes, then drain and cook on the barbecue or a griddle pan until charred. Strip the kernels from the husk with a sharp knife, then mix with lime zest and juice, chopped spring onions and chopped fresh coriander. Stir in some chilli flakes and season well.