Chipotle Queso Trash Can Nachos
prep
10 MIN
cook
20 MIN
feeds
8
This ultimate nacho recipe brings together a smoky, cheesy, and flavor-packed experience perfect for sharing at any gathering. The highlight of the dish is the Chipotle Queso, a rich, creamy sauce that packs just the right amount of heat and depth. It begins with a base of sautéed onions and garlic, which are blended with chipotle peppers in adobo sauce for a smoky kick. The mixture is thickened with a roux made from butter and flour before beef stock and heavy cream are added, giving it a luscious texture. The real magic happens when a trio of cheeses—American, smoked mozzarella, and sharp cheddar—melt into the sauce, creating a velvety, savory queso with a slight tang from the cheddar and a subtle smokiness from the mozzarella.
Once the queso is ready, it’s time to assemble the nachos, turning this dish into a meaty, crispy, and cheesy delight. Start with a base of crunchy tortilla chips, which provide the perfect canvas for the toppings. Generous portions of smoked pulled pork, crispy bacon crumbles, and hearty black beans add savory, satisfying layers of flavor. The pulled pork brings a deep, smoky richness, while the bacon adds a salty, crunchy bite. Pickled red onions and sliced jalapeños balance out the richness with their tangy and spicy notes, providing pops of flavor with every bite.
For the ultimate finish, pour the creamy chipotle queso generously over the layers of chips and toppings. The queso ties everything together with its bold, smoky, and cheesy profile. Don’t be shy—repeat the layering process until you've created a mountain of nachos that will satisfy any crowd.
Finally, the nachos are topped with cool, creamy dollops of sour cream and guacamole, which add freshness and contrast to the rich, smoky flavors. For an extra burst of flavor, drizzle some BBQ sauce over the top, bringing a touch of sweetness and tang that complements the savory ingredients perfectly.
Ingredients
All Ingredients
1 stick (8 tablespoons) butter
1 onion (roughly chopped)
3-4 garlic cloves
1 can chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
8 tablespoons flour
1 cup beef stock
1 cup heavy cream
2 cups American cheese (cubed)
1 cup smoked mozzarella (shredded)
1 cup sharp cheddar (shredded) Salt (to taste)
For the Nachos: Pulled pork (smoked and crisped) Tortilla chips Bacon (cooked and crumbled) Black beans Pickled red onions Sliced jalapeños Sour cream Guacamole
Instructions
Chipotle Queso Trash Can Nachos
STEP 1
In a pot, melt the butter and sauté the onions and garlic until translucent.
STEP 2
Add chipotle peppers and adobo sauce for smoky flavor. Stir in flour to create a roux. Add beef stock and heavy cream, then bring to a simmer.
STEP 3
Blend the mixture until smooth. Stir in the cheeses (American, smoked mozzarella, sharp cheddar) and mix until creamy. Season with salt to taste.
STEP 4
Spread tortilla chips across a large platter or tray. Add the smoked, crispy pulled pork on top. Sprinkle crumbled bacon, black beans, pickled red onions, and sliced jalapeños over the pork. Drizzle a generous amount of chipotle queso over everything. Continue layering chips, pulled pork, bacon, beans, queso, and toppings until you reach your desired amount.
STEP 5
Add dollops of sour cream and guacamole. Drizzle BBQ sauce over the nachos for added flavor if desired.
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