Nacho Bar Ideas

We love to fix a Nacho Bar for parties, game day, family dinner and more. It is so easy and always a crowd pleaser. Everyone loves to customize their nachos and it is always a really fun meal idea.

If you are looking for a super easy meal that can feed a crowd without much work, this nacho bar is the way to go. The slow cooker does all the work making this so easy. Plus, the toppings bar allows everyone to get exactly what they want.

This delicious meal is always a crowd favorite. We have served this for birthday parties, family dinner, New Years Eve Party, super bowl party and more!

Spend less time in the kitchen and more time with your guests by setting up buffet style. This is a win all around.

What should be on a Nacho Bar?

We love to use ground beef and lots of delicious toppings. You can use what you prefer. Ground turkey would also be tasty and you can even mix them together.

You can even have tortillas to make an easy taco bar.

What goes with Nachos at a Party?

I think the toppings are super important and tasty. Make sure to have lots of favorites such as salsa, guacamole, veggies and more. All the toppings make for the ultimate nacho bar.

How to Make a Nacho Bar

You will definitely need a couple of crock pots to make your nacho more.

I love this programmable crock pot  for when I am am not at home all day. It is nice to come home to a nice meal ready and waiting.

I also like to use crock pot liners to make clean up a breeze. These are worth every penny and save a ton of time.

We have also placed tortilla chips on a baking sheet and topped with shredded cheese. Then place in the oven to melt the cheese.

Ingredients

Taco Beef Ingredients: 

• Lean ground beef
• Taco Seasoning (I like to use homemade taco seasoning.)
• Salsa

Nacho Cheese Ingredients: 

• Velveeta Cheese
• Rotel
• You can also use our Crock Pot Nacho Cheese Sauce Recipe

Guacamole Ingredients: 

• Ripe Avocados (you will want them to be soft to the touch)
• Lime, juiced
• Garlic Salt
• Salsa

Other Nacho Bar Ingredients:

• Large bag of Tortilla Chips
• Roma Tomatoes, diced
• Black Beans, rinsed and drained
• Green Onions, sliced
• Jalapeños 16 oz, drained
• Black Olives, drained

For the full list of ingredients and recipe, scroll to the bottom for the recipe card.

Recipe Variations

• Change the Meat – Use shredded chicken or pulled pork instead of ground beef. You can also mix ground beef and ground turkey together.
• Cheese Dip – We like making this White Cheese Dip in addition to the queso dip. It is delicious and easy to make.
• Refried Beans – Black beans are a great option, but refried beans are delicious on nachos.

How to Set up a Nacho Bar

Setting up a Nacho Bar is always a crowd favorite.

• Plan what toppings that you are going to serve.
• Place your cheese and meats in crock pots so they keep warm.
• Set out bowls of different types of chips.
• Place your toppings in individual bowls so everyone can build their own nachos.
• Have bowls, plates and utensils available.

How to Make Beef for Nachos

• Step 1 – Place the ground meat (raw) in a 5-6 quart crock pot.

• Step 2 – Pour the salsa on top and sprinkle with the taco seasoning mix.  (We use homemade taco seasoning.)

• Step 3 – Cover and cook on high for 3 -4 hours until no longer pink. Use a spoon to break up the taco meat and serve.

Easy to Make Nacho Cheese

• Step 1 – Cube the Velveeta cheese and place in a 3-5 quart crock pot.

• Step 2 – Pour Rotel on top.

• Step 3 – Place the lid on top and cook on low for 2 hours or high for 1 hour until cheese is melted (stirring occasionally).

How to Make Guacamole

• Step 1 – Cut the avocados in half, remove the pit.
• Step 2 – Place avocados in a mixing bowl. With a fork or potato masher begin to gently mash them up.

• Step 3 – Add the salsa by the heaping spoonful’s. Stir and slowly add more to your liking. I would say you need about a ¼ cup.

• Step 4 – Once it is to the consistency you like, squeeze the lime all over the avocados (this helps prevent them from browning so quickly).

• Step 5 – Sprinkle in garlic salt. Taste it and then add more garlic salt as needed. The salt makes a BIG difference in good guacamole.

If it is tasting bland then you need more garlic salt. See Easy Guacamole Recipe with Salsa for more tips.

More Nacho Instructions 

• Place all the other ingredients in individual bowls.
• Then place the crock pots, guacamole and ingredients on a serving table so everyone can make their own nachos.
• Top the chips with melted cheese and the remaining toppings.

Nacho Toppings Ideas

• Queso
• Sour Cream
• Onion
• Shredded Cheese
• Tomato
• Quick Salsa Verde De Tomatillo Recipe
• Very Simple Guacamole Recipe
• The best pico de gallo recipe
• Fresh Lime Juice
• Fresh Cilantro
• Jalapenos Peppers
• Pinto Beans

Those are some of our favorites and always a huge hit.

Try these other easy Mexican recipes

• Crock Pot Ground Chicken Tacos 
• Easy Carne Asada Street Tacos
• Crock Pot Chipotle Chicken Tacos
• 5 Minute Baja Shrimp Taco Recipe
• Crock Pot Chipotle Steak Tacos Recipe

More Easy Bar Recipes

• How to make a Trail Mix Bar
• Build Your Own Pasta Bar
• Build Your Own Pizzas

We love to hear from you. If you make this Nacho Bar for your next game day party, please leave us a comment or star review.