Whether you serve nachos for dinner or as a tasty snack, here are 31 ideas for what to serve with nachos. Enjoy our handpicked collection of delicious toppings, appetizers, soups, and entrees that will make your next meal or get-together a hit.
Start with a Recipe for Nachos
Nachos are a beloved Tex-Mex dish featuring crunchy tortilla chips, melted cheese, and flavorful toppings. Whether you’re hosting a game night with friends or craving a delicious snack, nachos are always a hit.
Start with one of my favorite nacho recipes! Spice up regular nachos with our sheet pan birria nachos, loaded with tender shredded beef from our birria con consome recipe.
What to Serve with Nachos
- 1. Guacamole
- 2. Pico De Gallo
- 3. Chunky Salsa
- 4. Mango Pico De Gallo
- 5. Sumac Onions
- 6. Homemade Pickled Jalapeños
- 7. Serrano Crema
- 8. Velveeta Cheese Dip
- 9. Mango Corn Salsa
- 10. Chile Con Queso
- 11. Salsa Verde
- 12. Crispy Baked Chicken Wings
- 13. Quesadillas
- 14. Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers
- 15. Avocado Cucumber Tomato Salad
- 16. Mexican Rice
- 17. Slow Cooker Refried Beans
- 18. Homemade Coleslaw with Cilantro and Mint
- 19. Refried Black Beans
- 20. Cucumber Carrot Salad
- 21. Cilantro Lime Slaw
- 22. Mexican Fruit Salad
- 23. Chili Lime Pepitas
- 24. Birria Con Consume
- 25. Chili Con Carne with Beans
- 26. White Chicken Chili
- 27. Instant Pot Pozole Rojo
- 28. Black Bean Soup
- 29. Carne Asada Tacos
- 30. Instant Pot Carnitas
- 31. Chicken Tinga
Can Nachos be a Main Meal?
Of course, you can serve nachos as a lunch or dinner entree, but not like the traditional game day snack or appetizer nachos; you should be making loaded nachos! Start with a base of crispy tortilla chips, choose a protein like seasoned ground beef, shredded chicken, or brisket, and pile on the toppings! Or you can make them vegetarian with black beans or sautéed vegetables like peppers and onions.
Then, go in with the cheese; use shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican cheese blend that gets melty once you bake the nachos, or take the meal to the next level with gooey melted nacho cheese, like the ones you get at a concession stand at ball games.
Let’s Get Started with the Best Toppings for Nachos
1. Guacamole
Guacamole without tomato is ready in 10 minutes using a few ingredients! Serve it as a dip, or top your favorite nacho recipe. Don’t feel like making guacamole? Chopping a fresh avocado is always a delicious option! If you prefer something saucier, try avocado lime crema!
2. Pico De Gallo
Make super simple and fresh-tasting pico de gallo with vine-ripe tomatoes, onion, jalapeño, cilantro, and the juice of a lime for a perfect topping.
3. Chunky Salsa
Skip the store and make chunky salsa with cilantro and avocado at home instead. Ours combines only the freshest ingredients, and it’s on the table in 20 minutes!
4. Mango Pico De Gallo
If you’re craving nachos with tropical flavor, make our sweet and spicy mango pico de gallo recipe. The homemade salsa is so good you will want to eat it with a spoon, and it’s perfect with chicken and fish or as a topping for nachos.
5. Sumac Onions
For a fresh spin on pickled onions, try marinated sumac onions! They are bright and tangy, and you can pair them with grilled meats like kabobs, salads, vegetable side dishes, and nachos!
6. Homemade Pickled Jalapeños
After trying these delicious homemade pickled jalapeños, you will want to always keep a jar on hand; this easy-to-make topping is made from simple ingredients, and there are so many ways to use them.
7. Serrano Crema
Serrano crema contains serrano chilies, fresh cilantro, a pop of garlic, and a combination of sour cream and yogurt to give the sauce a nice creamy texture. Olive oil, lime juice, and spices finish this sauce you’ll want to douse on absolutely everything.
8. Velveeta Cheese Dip
What are nachos without cheese? And gooey nachos aren’t just for the ball game! Indulge in the creamy goodness of Velveeta cheese dip right at home; this well-spiced cheese sauce is the perfect way to finish your nachos, especially if you’re feeding a crowd. Put the sauce in a warmer, and serve it on a table with other toppings for a fun and tasty nacho bar option.
9. Mango Corn Salsa
Our family can’t get enough mangos in the summertime! I mean – have you tried Indian mango lassi? Talk about a refreshing drink for the hot summer months in North Carolina!
And for another fresh mango option, try mango corn salsa! The sweetness of the mango perfectly complements the savory ingredients for a deliciously fresh and light topping. Serve it as a healthy dip with nachos or a topping for tacos, meat, or fish dishes – this would be so tasty with our blackened mahi mahi.
10. Chile Con Queso
Make cheesy chile con queso with authentic roasted New Mexican green chiles for a cheese sauce with a hint of spice. It’s easy to make, pairs perfectly with tortilla chips for nachos, and is ideal for Cinco de Mayo or game day celebrations!
11. Salsa Verde
Salsa verde is made from roasted tomatillos and fresh chile peppers for a quick and simple salsa.
More Toppings to Serve with Nachos
Don’t forget sour cream, chopped onions, fresh cilantro, olives, and fresh jalapeños as toppings for nachos!
While these simple ingredients don’t require a recipe, they taste just as good piled high on top of nachos, so when you ask me, what to serve with nachos? These no-prep ingredients will always be at the top of my list.
Appetizers
Nachos are the ultimate crowd-pleaser and a perfect addition to any party spread. The crunchy tortilla chips, smothered in melted cheese, create a satisfying and flavorful base that pairs seamlessly with other appetizers.
12. Crispy Baked Chicken Wings
Not only do our extra crispy baked chicken wings tasty on their own, but they also make an excellent pairing with nachos at any party. The succulent, tender meat inside the crispy skin of the chicken wings complements the bold flavors of nachos. Whether you top them with a classic buffalo sauce, a sweet and sticky barbecue glaze, or a fiery sriracha coating, the wings bring a delightful heat and richness to the party table.
13. Quesadillas
Cheese, cheese, and more cheese! Since you’re making nachos, why not melt extra shredded cheese between tortillas to make these loaded chicken quesadillas?
14. Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers
Name a more complementary duo than jalapeño poppers and nachos. And these Air Fryer jalapeño poppers are perfect for a game day snack or appetizer. You will love how creamy, cheesy, hot, and crunchy they are when you eat them!
What’s a Good Side Dish to Go With Nachos?
When it comes to serving nachos, options for side dishes are many, making it easy to turn them into a complete meal. From simple sides like fresh salad to heartier additions such as beans, rice, or vegetables, it’s easy to elevate nachos from a simple snack to a filling meal.
15. Avocado Cucumber Tomato Salad
Loaded with fresh herbs, juicy tomato, crisp cucumber, and creamy avocado, the addition of olive oil and lime finishes our avocado cucumber tomato salad recipe for a perfect side dish or light meal.
16. Mexican Rice
Our vegan Mexican rice recipe cooks with tomato puree, vegetable broth, jalapeños, and garlic for a highly concentrated and flavorful side dish.
17. Slow Cooker Refried Beans
The rich and creamy texture of slow cooker refried beans perfectly complements the crispy tortilla chips. Whether you layer the beans directly on the chips or serve them as a side dish, refried beans are an excellent way to elevate nachos.
18. Homemade Coleslaw with Cilantro and Mint
Our homemade coleslaw combines traditional vegetables like cabbage and carrots with fresh mint, cilantro, and scallions- and don’t forget the dressing ingredients! With its crispy and firm vegetables and a tangy dressing, the coleslaw is an excellent choice as a side dish or even as an adventurous topping for homemade nachos
19. Refried Black Beans
If you’re not into traditional refried beans, serve your nachos with these healthy refried black beans made with coconut oil! And you can serve them on top of the nachos or on the side.
20. Cucumber Carrot Salad
Refreshing and tangy, our cucumber carrot salad is a perfect way to enjoy fresh vegetables. Pair the salad with an entree like nachos and Bahn Mi, or eat it as a light snack.
21. Cilantro Lime Slaw
Cilantro lime slaw is the perfect addition to tacos, seafood, and nachos. The slaw uses Greek yogurt for a tangy, crunchy, flavorful side or topping.
22. Mexican Fruit Salad
Mexican fruit salad is a fun and refreshing tropical fruit salad dressed with honey and lime and seasoned with chili lime seasoning. An easy sweet and savory fruit salad that’s perfect for potlucks, and BBQs.
23. Chili Lime Pepitas
Chili lime pepitas are crispy roasted pumpkin seeds coated with a tangy, sweet, and spicy combination of flavors. Sprinkle them on top of the nachos for another crunchy element, or serve them on the side.
What to Serve with Nachos – Soup and Stew!
Serving a comforting bowl of soup or chili with nachos makes for a hearty dinner, especially during colder months. The nachos offer a crunchy and savory aspect, while the soothing soup can be sipped or spooned alongside the nachos, adding to the overall experience.
24. Birria Con Consume
As mentioned, make nachos your own and pile them high with vegetable or meat toppings. One of my favorites will always be mouthwatering beef birria con consome – a flavorful blend of tender beef, rich broth, and aromatic spices.
25. Chili Con Carne with Beans
Warm up with a heaping bowl of this savory, southwest-style chili. Our authentic chili con carne with beans recipe is my take on an old classic with hearty beef chuck, black beans (gasp! I know), and a satisfying combination of chilies.
Top it off with fresh onion, cilantro, shredded cheese, and avocado, and serve the soup with warm corn tortillas or scoop it up with the nacho chips.
26. White Chicken Chili
Ladle creamy white chicken chili over the top of nachos or serve it in a bowl on the side for a perfect balance of flavor.
27. Instant Pot Pozole Rojo
Authentic Instant Pot pozole rojo is a rich stew made from tender pork, hominy, and a savory chili-based broth. Pile your bowl high with fresh toppings like radishes, cilantro, cabbage, onions, and Mexican oregano.
28. Black Bean Soup
Guatemalan black bean soup is creamy, packed with flavor, and hearty enough to be a full meal, or it’s a perfect appetizer to serve before a delicious plate of nachos.
If you love nachos, try one of these appetizer favorites!
Best Main Courses for Nachos
29. Carne Asada Tacos
Tender and juicy carne asada is marinated and grilled to perfection to make the best street-style carne asada tacos.
30. Instant Pot Carnitas
Fill a warm corn tortilla with tender melt-in-your-mouth pork shoulder and top it with fresh cilantro and red onion for Instant Pot carnitas.
31. Chicken Tinga
Chicken tinga is spicy shredded chicken with chipotle chilies, adobo sauce, tomatoes, and onions. It’s perfect for tacos and quesadillas!
What to do with the Leftovers
- Refrigerate – Nachos are best served hot and fresh. However, if you end up with leftovers, wrap them in plastic and keep them in the fridge for 1-2 days.
- Reheat – Warm the leftovers in the microwave or in the oven.
Frequently Asked Questions
What dessert to serve with nachos?
Churros are a perfect accompaniment to nachos; drizzle the cinnamon sugar-coated and deep-fried pastries with warm caramel or chocolate sauce. For something lighter, reach for an easy fruit salsa using diced strawberries, mangoes, pineapples, and kiwis, tossed with sugar and lime juice. You can also serve the nachos with a scoop of ice cream, like as vanilla, dulce de leche, or cinnamon.
Other Dessert Ideas:
• Air Fried Plantains, Kelewele
• Tres Leches Cake
• Mexican Rice Pudding
• Flan
• Fruit Empanada
More Recipe Collections:
