It’s been a long day. You’ve spent all day at the lake, or maybe the pool or maybe at a baseball tournament with the family. It’s late now and everybody is exhausting and of course STARVING! What can you possibly whip up that can appeal to the whole family that is delicious and fast? One of my favorites to make in this situation is loaded nachos with the works. This way my husband, who loves anything and everything on his nachos can have exactly what he likes, where my kids pretty much just like cheese and salsa can have what they want and everybody is super happy!

There are so many instances when nachos are really just the perfect thing to eat. Whether it’s watching a football or basketball game, an easy buffet style dinner with friends or family, or anything in between, these can be the perfect meal!

Let’s talk tortilla chips. I have tried a lot of chips in my time and my favorite ones of all time by far are the On-the-Border tortilla chips, specifically the café style.

These babies have just the right amount of salt and have a great texture. They sold these at all the stores I shopped at in both Iowa and California so I think they sell them everywhere. I hope so! You have got to try these if you haven’t already.

Now that that is out of the way, we can talk toppings. My favorite toppings to put on my nachos are:

• Cheese—Medium cheddar is my fave. But keep reading after this list and I will share an out of this world cheese sauce recipe made from scratch. Delish!

• Sour Cream

• Salsa

• Olives

• Ground beef—I love to season it with taco seasoning, but husband prefers to have it plain, so do whatever you think you and your family would like more. Or set a little aside for any of the crazies who don’t like flavor ;) and season the rest for yourself like I do!

• Refried Beans

• Chopped up jalapeño peppers

• A little can of the green chilies

• Chopped onion or green onion

• Guacamole

• Cilantro

• Chopped fresh tomato

That is my favorite way to go. Do you have anything you would add to this list for the perfect loaded nachos?

Now, I love me some good shredded cheese off the old cheddar block, but I have come across one particular recipe for nacho cheese sauce that is out of this world. I have NEVER liked Velveeta. It is obviously a mystery kind of food that is filled with all sorts of weird, hard-to-pronounce ingredients and has always tasted exactly like I’m eating fake cheese. I know a lot of people love it and the convenience is definitely an added bonus, but before you buy another block of Velveeta, you have to try this cheese sauce first. You can whip it up in 15 minutes and it has just 5 REAL ingredients.

Homemade Nacho Cheese Sauce

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp butter

• 2 tbsp flour

• 1 cup whole milk

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper

• 8oz block sharp cheddar cheese*, grated

Directions:

1. Melt the butter in a medium size skillet over medium heat. Once the butter is melted add the flour. Whisk until it combines into a smooth blond paste and starts to bubble around the edges.

2. Add the milk to the skillet and continue whisking. Once the milk is incorporated, raise the heat to high and bring to a boil. Once the milk has reached a boil, quickly lower the heat and reduce to a simmer. Allow the sauce to thicken slightly.

3. Add the cayenne pepper and salt and whisk to combine.

4. Add the cheese and gently stir, allowing the cheese to melt. When the cheese is completely melted and the mixture smooth in consistency, the nacho cheese sauce is ready to serve. Enjoy immediately, as the sauce will get firm as it sits.

*Be sure to buy a good quality block of sharp cheddar cheese, then grate it yourself. Those bags of pre-shredded cheese have additives in them that are specifically there to prevent clumping, so if you don’t shred your own cheese, the sauce won’t be smooth. My favorite brand cheddar is Cracker Barrel.

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