Nacho cheese is a popular topping for nachos and other Tex-Mex dishes. It comes in cans or jars in different sizes, with large cans typically containing around 128 oz. or 1 gallon of nacho cheese. But how many people can a large can of nacho cheese feed? The answer depends on a few different factors.
Serving Size
The first thing to consider is what the typical serving size of nacho cheese is. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), a standard serving size of nacho cheese or cheese sauce is 2 tablespoons or 1 oz.[1]
This means a large 128 oz. can of nacho cheese contains approximately 128 servings. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean it can feed 128 people.
Intended Use
Nacho cheese can be used in different ways which impact how far it goes. Using it sparingly just for topping nachos or chips requires less than drenching food in it or making a cheese sauce.
If being used as a dip for chips or drizzled over a main dish like enchiladas, 1-2 oz. per person is typical. If being used as an ingredient for making a cheese sauce, it may require 4-8 oz. per person in a recipe.
Portion Size
The typical portion of nachos or other Tex-Mex dishes covered in nacho cheese is usually 6-8 oz. or about 1 cup according to restaurant nutrition data.[2]
This means each person is likely consuming 1-2 oz. of nacho cheese per individual portion. So a standard 128 oz. can could make 64-128 servings of around 1 cup of nachos topped with cheese.
Demographics
How many people a large can of nacho cheese feeds also depends on who is eating – children, teenagers, men, or women.
Since children and some women require smaller portions, that 128 oz can would go farther feeding only them compared to teenage boys or hungry men who can put away larger portions.
Event Size
Considering the event size or gathering is important too. Feeding nachos to a small group of 4 requires much less cheese than a party of 20-25.
Here is a breakdown of how many people a large 128 oz. can of nacho cheese could feed based on different scenarios:
| Scenario | Serving Size | Number of Servings |
|---|---|---|
| Drizzled over nachos, adults | 1 oz | 128 |
| Drizzled over nachos, kids | 0.5 oz | 256 |
| Nacho cheese sauce, adults | 4 oz | 32 |
| Nacho cheese sauce, kids | 2 oz | 64 |
| Nachos for 10 kids | 0.5 oz | 10 |
| Nachos for 20 adults | 2 oz | 20 |
As you can see, the can could feed anywhere from 10 to over 100 people depending on the serving method and who is eating.
Typical Serving Sizes
To give more perspective, here are some typical serving sizes of nacho cheese:
As a Nacho Topping
When used as a topping for nachos, tacos, chili, etc. the typical serving size is:
– 1-2 tbsp (0.5-1 oz) for kids
– 2-3 tbsp (1-2 oz) for women
– 3-4 tbsp (1.5-2 oz) for men
So for a party with 10 kids who each eat 1 oz of nacho cheese on their individual nacho portions, that’s about 10 oz of cheese total.
As a Dip
When used as a dip with tortilla chips, vegetables, or other finger foods, the typical serving size is:
– 2-4 tbsp (1-2 oz) for kids
– 4-6 tbsp (2-3 oz) for women
– 6-8 tbsp (3-4 oz) for men
As a dip for a gathering of 15-20 adults eating 3 oz each, you’d need 45-60 oz of nacho cheese.
In Recipes
When nacho cheese is used to make queso, cheese sauce, casseroles, etc. the amount varies more significantly based on the recipe. Some general guidelines are:
– 1/4 cup (2 oz) in kids meals
– 1/2 cup (4 oz) in individual adult dishes
– Up to 2 cups (16 oz) in larger casserole recipes
So for a family of 4 eating nacho cheese enchiladas with 1/2 cup of sauce each, you’d need 2 cups or 16 oz of cheese.
Factors Affecting Portion Size
Some other factors impact how much nacho cheese people may consume or want with their food:
Age
Younger children and kids require smaller portion sizes than teenagers and adults. A 6 year old child will be satisfied with 1-2 oz of cheese whereas a 16 year old boy may want 2-3 times that amount.
Gender
Adult men tend to consume more cheese and heavier food than women. So they are likely to use larger portions of nacho cheese compared to females.
Appetite
Someone who is very hungry may eat a bigger portion with more cheese than someone who isn’t as hungry. Portions for nachos could range from 1 cup to 2 cups depending on appetite.
Other Foods
If nachos are the main appetizer or being served as a meal, the cheese portions may be larger compared to having them alongside additional sides.
Snack vs. Meal
Nachos served as a snack may involve less cheese than nacho meals or entrees served in restaurants. Snack portions tend to range from 120-200 calories while meal portions average 500-800 calories.
Dipping vs. Topping
Dipping tortilla chips uses more cheese than just topping nachos, since dipping covers the entire chip rather than just the toppings. Dipping may use 2-3 times as much cheese as topping.
Other Ingredients
Nachos or cheese dishes with lots of other ingredients like meat, beans, salsa, etc. may require less cheese than plainer versions. The other toppings provide more flavor.
Personal Preference
Some people simply prefer more or less cheese based on their individual tastes. Cheese lovers may use larger portions than those who aren’t big cheese fans.
So a host should consider their audience and how they’ll likely consume and enjoy the nacho cheese when determining how much to prepare.
Cheese Sauce Recipes
To give a specific example of how much nacho cheese is required for recipes, here are some typical cheese sauce recipes and their ingredients:
Simple Nacho Cheese Sauce
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Nacho cheese | 2 cups (16 oz) |
| Milk | 1/2 cup |
| Butter | 2 tbsp |
This makes around 2 cups of sauce, enough for around 4 adult servings over nachos, potatoes, etc.
Extra Cheesy Nacho Sauce
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Nacho cheese | 3 cups (24 oz) |
| Shredded cheddar | 1 cup |
| Diced jalapenos | 2 tbsp |
| Milk | 1/2 cup |
This makes 3 1/2 cups of sauce, enough for around 6-8 adult servings. The extra cheese makes it creamier.
Nacho Cheese Casserole
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Nacho cheese | 32 oz |
| Chili | 4 cups |
| Tortilla chips | 6 cups |
| Shredded chicken | 2 cups |
This makes a 9×13 casserole, enough to feed around 12 adults or 18 kids. It uses 1/3 of a large can of cheese.
Tips for Serving Nacho Cheese
To ensure you have enough nacho cheese when serving a crowd, follow these tips:
Know Your Audience
Consider the demographics like age, gender, and appetite levels of who will be eating. Plan for larger portions with teenagers and men.
Factor in Other Foods
Account for sides, main dishes, and appetizers that will be served alongside the nachos or cheese sauce. More food means smaller cheese portions.
Offer Cheese on the Side
Let people add cheese to their own portions so they can control how much they eat. Provide extra dipping bowls rather than dumping cheese all over nachos.
Plan for Extras
It’s better to have too much cheese than not enough. Buy an extra can or portion out 10-20% more than you think is needed. Extras can keep in the fridge or freezer.
Label Leftovers and Store Properly
Any unused cheese should be refrigerated in a sealed container, labeled with the date, and used within 7-10 days. You can also freeze extra cheese sauce in airtight bags or containers for 4-6 months.
Following these tips will help ensure your large can of nacho cheese satisfies the whole crowd!
Conclusion
To summarize, the number of people a large 128 oz. can of nacho cheese will serve depends on:
– Serving size – 1-4 oz per person typically
– Intended use – dipping, drizzling, or cooking
– Demographics like age and gender
– Event size
– Appetite and portion size preferences
On average, a large can will make 64-128 nacho portions topped with 1-2 oz of cheese each. For easier estimation, you can expect a standard 128 oz can to feed around 100 people when used as a topping and closer to 50 people when used for cooking in recipes or as a dip. Adjust as needed for your specific situation. And be sure to have extra cheese on hand if feeding a crowd!