Interactive Game-Day Nacho Skillet with Spicy Cheese Sauce

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-11 · Updated 2026-06-11

A fun, crowd-pleasing nacho skillet layered with spicy cheese sauce and crisp tortilla chips, perfect for sharing during game nights or casual gatherings. This mexican-inspired game day (vegetarian) ready in about 30 minutes blends tortilla chips, sharp cheddar cheese, shredded, monterey jack cheese, shredded into a versatile sauce that lifts everything from grain bowls and roasted vegetables to grilled proteins — a small-batch staple worth keeping in the fridge. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 6, so a small batch covers several meals across the week without taking over the fridge. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 6 cups tortilla chips
• 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup monterey jack cheese, shredded
• 1 small jalapeño, finely diced
• 3 tbsp butter
• 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup green onions, sliced
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup black beans, rinsed and drained
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F. In a medium saucepan, melt 3 tbsp butter over medium heat until foaming. Whisk in 3 tbsp all-purpose flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until lightly golden, stirring constantly to form a roux.
2. Step 2: Gradually add 2 cups whole milk in a slow stream while whisking vigorously to avoid lumps. Continue whisking and cook for 4-5 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon. Stir in 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
3. Step 3: Remove the sauce from heat and stir in 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese and 1 cup monterey jack cheese until melted and smooth. Stir in 1 small finely diced jalapeño for heat.
4. Step 4: In a large oven-safe skillet or baking dish, layer 6 cups tortilla chips evenly. Pour half of the cheese sauce over the chips, then sprinkle 1/2 cup rinsed and drained black beans and 1/4 cup sliced green onions.
5. Step 5: Repeat layering with remaining chips and cheese sauce. Top with chopped fresh cilantro (2 tbsp).
6. Step 6: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes until bubbly and edges of the chips are slightly crisp.
7. Step 7: Remove from oven and serve warm with 1/2 cup sour cream on the side for dipping or dolloping.