Nacho cheese, also known as cheese sauce, is a sauce made from melted cheese, milk, and spices. It is commonly used as a dip for tortilla chips, nachos, vegetables, and more. Nacho cheese is popular for its creamy, gooey texture and tangy, cheese flavor. It can transform simple snacks into ooey-gooey treats. But what are some of the best things to eat nacho cheese with? There are many delicious options! In this article, we will explore all the different foods that pair well with nacho cheese. We will suggest popular snacks as well as creative recipe ideas. Read on to learn about the versatility of nacho cheese and get inspired to try it with something new!
Popular Snacks to Eat with Nacho Cheese
Here are some of the most popular and classic snacks that are commonly dipped or topped with nacho cheese:
Tortilla Chips
Tortilla chips and nacho cheese are a match made in heaven. Crispy tortilla chips provide the perfect vehicle for scooping up the rich, creamy cheese. Nachos are the iconic appetizer made from tortilla chips, melted cheese, jalapeños, salsa, meat, beans, and other toppings. The tortilla chips retain their crunch even when topped with hot, gooey cheese. Add some salsa for a spicy, tangy flair. This snack is sure to satisfy any cheese lover!
French Fries
French fries and nacho cheese is a favorite combo at concession stands. The hot, crispy fries pair perfectly with the smooth, creamy cheese sauce. The contrast of the crunchy fry exterior and fluffy interior with the decadent cheese makes for a mouthwatering bite. For ultimate cheesy fries, load them with bacon bits, sour cream, chives, and jalapeños. This snack is deliciously addictive!
Potatoes
Baked potatoes, mashed potatoes, tater tots, hash browns – you name it! Potatoes in any form taste fantastic with melted cheese. The starchy, savory potatoes complement the rich, salty cheese beautifully. Load up a baked potato with bacon, sour cream, green onions and finish it off with a drizzle of nacho cheese. Or dip crispy tater tots and hash browns into that ooey-gooey cheese sauce. Potatoes and cheese make a downright unbeatable pair!
| Food | Why It’s Great with Nacho Cheese |
|---|---|
| Tortilla Chips | Crispy chips are perfect for scooping up creamy cheese |
| French Fries | Crunchy fries with creamy, gooey cheese is delicious |
| Potatoes | Starchy potatoes complement rich, salty cheese |
Vegetables to Dip in Nacho Cheese
Nacho cheese also makes a fantastic dip for fresh, crunchy vegetables. Here are some veggie options to serve with melted cheese:
Broccoli Florets
Broccoli florets provide the perfect crunchy, hearty vehicle for cheese dipping. The vibrant green color is an appealing contrast against the creamy yellow cheese. The cheese adds a hit of savory richness to balance out the vegetable’s bitterness. Roasted broccoli florets pair particularly well with nacho cheese.
Baby Carrots
Baby carrots are another excellent veggie for scooping up that liquid gold. The slim shape and crunchy texture allows the melted cheese to adhere nicely. The sweetness of the carrot plays off the saltiness of the cheese for a delightful snack. For variety, use rainbow baby carrots for a colorful platter.
Celery Sticks
Celery has that satisfying, hearty crunch that’s ideal for pairing with a creamy dip. The light freshness of the celery balances out the heavy richness of the cheese sauce. Load up the crisp celery sticks with nacho cheese and top with crispy bacon bits for a snack that hits all the right notes.
| Vegetable | Crunch Level | Flavor Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Broccoli Florets | Crunchy | Bitter, earthy |
| Baby Carrots | Crunchy | Sweet |
| Celery Sticks | Very crunchy | Fresh, light |
Meats That Go Well with Nacho Cheese
Hearty meats also pair deliciously with creamy, decadent nacho cheese sauce. The rich cheese complements the savory umami flavors of meat. Try these tasty combinations:
Pulled Pork
Smoky pulled pork and nacho cheese is an incredible match. The juicy, tender pork soaks up that melted cheese wonderfully. Pile pulled pork onto chips and drizzle with cheese for nachos, or use it as a dip for sandwiches and wraps. Add some BBQ sauce for a pop of sweet, tangy flavor.
Chicken Nuggets
What kid (or adult) doesn’t love chicken nuggets dunked in cheese sauce? The crispy breaded exterior stays crunchy even when dipped in the melted cheese. The hot nuggets and cold cheese provide great temperature contrast. Quick, easy and oh-so-satisfying!
Bacon
Bacon makes everything better – including nacho cheese! The smoky, salty, fatty bacon complements the creamy cheese flawlessly. Crumble cooked bacon over nachos drizzled in cheese or use bacon bits as a topping. Dip cooked bacon strips in that cheesy goodness. Crispity, crunchity, cheesy, bacony bliss!
| Meat | Texture | Flavors |
|---|---|---|
| Pulled Pork | Tender, juicy | Smoky, savory |
| Chicken Nuggets | Crispy, juicy | Salty, savory |
| Bacon | Crispy | Smoky, salty |
Unique Recipe Ideas with Nacho Cheese
Beyond the classic pairings, nacho cheese can also be used to transform all kinds of dishes into ooey-gooey masterpieces. Get creative with these unique recipe ideas featuring everyone’s favorite cheese sauce:
Nacho Cheese Stuffed Meatballs
Take your meatballs to the next level by stuffing them with nacho cheese! Form ground beef or turkey around cubes of cheese, then bake or pan fry until cooked through. The cheese will melt into an incredible molten center. Serve with marinara sauce for that cheesy pop of flavor in every bite!
Nacho Cheese Enchiladas
For the ultimate comfort food, make enchiladas with nacho cheese! Fill tortillas with chicken or beef, top with more cheese, then smother in enchilada sauce and bake. The nacho cheese mingles with the red sauce for the perfect medley of flavors. Garnish with avocado, cilantro and crema. ¡Muy delicioso!
Nacho Cheese Potatoes Au Gratin
This cheesy, creamy casserole will be your new favorite comfort food. Layer potatoes in a baking dish, alternating with nacho cheese sauce and onions. Top with bread crumbs then bake until bubbly and golden. The potatoes soak up all that cheesy goodness for rich, decadent flavor. Serve these ooey-gooey spuds at your next potluck!
| Recipe | Ingredients | Flavors |
|---|---|---|
| Stuffed Meatballs | Beef, cheese | Savory, rich |
| Enchiladas | Tortilla, chicken, cheese | Savory, spicy |
| Potatoes Au Gratin | Potato, cheese, onion | Creamy, rich |
Conclusion
As you can see, the possibilities are endless when it comes to pairing foods with nacho cheese! This salty, gooey cheese sauce amps up the flavor of so many dishes, from classic snacks to creative recipes. Tortilla chips, fries, veggies, meats and more all complement the creamy, tangy cheese wonderfully. Nacho cheese may be a humble condiment, but it sure is versatile. So grab a bottle of your favorite cheese sauce and start experimenting with new nacho cheese pairings tonight! Your taste buds will thank you.