Wondering what the best cheeses for nachos are? This guide breaks it all down with pro tips, topping combos, and a free cheat sheet to keep the snack game strong.
Let’s get one thing straight: not all nachos are created equal. The best ones are cheese-covered platters of various flavors and textures that give you a little something in every single bite. Others… well, others are a pile of sad tortilla chips with a few lonely shreds of cheese clinging to life.
The secret to next-level nachos? It’s all in the cheese. The right cheese (or even better, a combo of cheeses) can take your nachos from basic to binge-worthy. So whether you’re loading up a pan for game day, happy hour, or “I forgot to make dinner” night, here’s the lowdown on the best cheeses for nachos. Melty, gooey, flavor-packed, and worth every bite, whether you are eating it for dinner or a snack.
And if you want to keep all this cheesy wisdom at your fingertips, I’ve even got a free printable cheat sheet at the end of this post!
These are your base layers, the foundation of the cheese mountain. You want that perfect stretch, that bubbly top, that hot cheesy lava flow (and NO american cheese). You can use pre-shredded cheese, or you can grate it yourself.
Monterey Jack Cheese – Super creamy, mild, and melts really well. Use it solo or mix it with sharper cheeses when you want a little more oomph.
Cheddar Cheese (Medium or Sharp) – Sharp cheddar brings the flavor; medium melts better. Pairs perfectly with classic beef nachos or anything loaded with spice.
Colby Jack – The best of both worlds: mellow flavor, smooth melt, crowd-friendly. Ideal for nacho nights when you’re feeding picky eaters and cheese snobs.
Oaxaca – The ultimate melty cheese with that iconic stretch. Think quesabirria-level cheese pulls on your nachos. Yes please.
flavor bombs (cheeses that bring the zing)
These cheeses don’t necessarily melt well, but they add BIG flavor. Sprinkle them on post-bake for salty, tangy, creamy toppings that cut through all the richness.
Cotija – Salty, crumbly, kind of like a Mexican Parmesan. Sprinkle on at the end for texture and a salty punch.
Queso Fresco – Light, fresh, and a little tangy. Best when paired with spicy toppings to cool things down. If you don’t have this on hand, consider using crumbled feta cheese as an easy sub.
Pepper Jack Cheese – Brings heat and melt—what a legend. Perfect for nachos that already have a little fire (or need it).
Manchego (young) – Nutty, bold, and semi-firm with a melt that’s subtle but satisfying. Adds a fancy touch to pulled pork or steak nachos.
Queso – There’s a time and place for a good cheese sauce. Usually that time is always, and that place is your face. Homemade queso beats the orange stuff in a jar every time. Drizzle it, dunk in it, or use it as your main cheese layer – there are no wrong answers here. It’s the ultimate homemade nacho sauce.
layer, layer, layer
This might be controversial, but I’m saying it anyway: nachos aren’t worth eating if the cheese is only on top. You need layers. Repeat after me:
Chip. Cheese. Topping. Repeat. Bake. Top again.
Bake your layers with the melt-friendly cheeses, then finish with the crumbly or fresh cheeses post-bake. When it comes to toppings that you can layer before baking, consider your favorites like ground beef or shredded pulled pork, jalapeños, refried beans or your favorite beans, red onion, etc.
Reserve your cold and fresh toppings for after baking! This includes scallions or green onions, black olives, sour cream, cilantro, tomatoes, and guacamole.
Serving tip: Nachos are always more photogenic when you serve them in a cast iron skillet or on a lined rimmed sheet pan! They are the one meal that can easily go from oven straight to the table. Have picky eaters? Make it a party with mini sheet pans for personal portions so everyone gets the perfect bite!
cheese & topping combos
Need some nacho inspiration? Try these flavor combos and thank me later:
Sharp cheddar + black beans + chipotle chicken + pickled red onions
And yes, these are just ideas. Your fridge probably already has something weird and wonderful waiting to become nacho greatness.
download my nacho cheese pairing cheat sheet!
Want to keep all this cheesy wisdom on hand? I’ve got a printable cheat sheet with my favorite cheese combos, tips for building the best nachos, and flavor pairings that work every time. Perfect for pinning to the fridge, sticking in a recipe binder, or texting to your bestie who still puts shredded cheese on cold chips and calls it nachos.
In summer, nachos are a killer way to use up grilled corn, zucchini, or leftover BBQ. In fall? Add roasted squash and a smoky chipotle cheese blend for a warm taste. Nachos are a year-round lifestyle.
our favorite nachos recipes
This is where I share my nacho creations—from classic combos to wild ones that totally work. Whether you’re here for the cheese pulls or the flavor bombs, these recipes are here to make your nacho nights next-level.
Loaded Nachos
Loaded Nachos are the burn-your-face-off snack you crave when you are in the mood for something spicy. With all your favorite toppings, these nachos are a fun addition to any party or to liven up a plain ol’ Saturday afternoon.
When I want the best nachos EVER, I reach for the carne asada nachos. With this carne asada, you get all the flavor without hours of work, along with plenty of cheese, veggies, avocado, hot sauce, and MORE.
Just look at that glorious, utterly gorgeous mess… A heaping helping of nachos is one of my (many) weaknesses. Probably due to those college nights after one too many vodka tonics on a mostly empty stomach because no one ever
Triple Layer Chipotle Chicken Queso Nachos with Fried Jalapeños
Triple Layer Chipotle Chicken Queso Nachos with Fried Jalapeños are the ultimate nachos to load up with at your football watch party for the big game. Whip up a batch and root for your favorite team!
Spicy, loaded hatch green chile mini chicken nachos are your favorite appetizer/snack turned into bite-sized deliciousness. Juicy chicken is cooked in hatch green chile salsa, then piled high on waffle fries with plenty of vegetables and a hatch salsa queso! The savory, subtle heat will absolutely blow your MIND.
Finally, if you find this guide to the best cheeses for nachos helpful, please be sure to leave a comment! I love to hear when you find something useful or have questions, and I do take the time to respond to every single comment.
Feel free to drop questions below too, if you have them!
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