This make-your-own nacho bar is perfect for entertaining! A DIY nacho bar is simple, delicious and perfect for serving a crowd. Load on all your favorite toppings and dig in!
DIY Nacho Bar
If you’re looking for an easy dinner party idea, this is it! Nacho bars are the perfect crowd pleaser for weekend get-togethers, birthday parties, the Super Bowl, or any day of the week! You can do all the prep work ahead of time and throw everything together in less than 30 minutes.
Over the weekend, we had some friends over for a nacho bar to watch the game. The kids played games, the moms talked and the dads watched the game. It was the perfect Saturday night!
I thought I better share the recipe for the famous Velveeta queso dip, the nacho bar ideas and set up, and free printable sign with you here in case you missed it.
It’s perfect for those nights you want to invite friends over last minute, play some games and eat some yummy food without much stress. Seriously, so good! I could eat nachos every day of the week and be completely happy.
How to Set Up a Nacho Bar
Setting up nacho bar party food can be as simple as you want or level-up with homemade Tex-Mex favorites.
- I like to start at one end of the table and place the plates or bowls for the guests to starting building their DIY nachos. I sometimes use disposable food boats.
- Start with the chips as the base. I like to provide a mix of blue tortilla chips and yellow corn chips.
- Next, I put all the toppings into bowls for easy access. Make sure to add a spoon for each bowl so that guests can easily sprinkle on their favorites without using their hands. :)
- Serving the nachos depends on the timing. If I am serving it immediately, I just warm up the cheese, beans and meat in bowls. During a party, I like to use my three compartment slow cooker and place refrigerated items in bowls then in a tray of a ice to stay cold.
- At the far end of the table (end of the line) I place napkins and forks.
- Then it’s time to call the guests and start building your own plate of nachos. I love to load up on ALL the toppings! Seriously, the more the better! My favorites are carnitas, tomatoes, onions, olives and avocado.
Nacho Bar Toppings
Meat
- Slow cooker carnitas
- Taco meat
- Shredded chicken
Other toppings
- Tomatoes
- Onions
- Shredded cheese
- Lettuce
- Pico de gallo
- Black olives
- Avocado or guacamole
- Peppers
- Black bean salsa
- Salsa
- Jalapenos
- Refried beans or pinto beans
- Nacho cheese dip or a classic cheese dip
- Sour cream
- Lime juice
- Scallions
- Fresh cilantro
Nacho Bar Idea
The star of the show is always the famous Velveeta queso dip. I love making this queso because it is so easy to prepare and always delicious. Everyone always asks for the recipe and they never believe when I tell them it’s only 2 ingredients.
All you need is one package of Velveeta and one can of RO*TEL. Then just microwave the two ingredients on high for 5 minutes. If you want to bulk it up, you could add in cooked breakfast sausage like I did in this easy sausage cheese dip.
I like to keep mine in the slow cooker afterwards too, so it stays nice and warm.
Free Printable Nacho Bar Sign
To add a special touch, I printed out this fun sign and set it on the station where all the ingredients/toppings were. This helps make it super clear to guests and is just extra adorable…right?!
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Make-Your-Own Nacho Bar
Ingredients
- Tortilla chips
Famous queso dip:
- 16 ounce package Velveeta
- 10 ounce can RO*TEL
Toppings:
- tomatoes
- red onions
- cilantro
- sliced olives
- jalapenos
- sliced radishes
- lime wedges
- sour cream
Instructions
Famous queso dip:
- Cube Velveeta into a microwavable bowl. Add in the can of RO*TEL. Microwave for 3 minutes. Stir and then cook 2 more minutes. Place in a slow cooker on the warm setting until ready to serve.
To assemble nachos:
- Layer tortilla chips in a paper food tray. Add meat on top, then pile on your favorite toppings like queso, tomatoes, sliced onions, radishes, avocado, cilantro and red onion. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: Cinco De Mayo, Dinner, Mexican
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
We are doing this for my daughters grad party- love it! Where is the link for the printable?
Thank you
So fun! You can find the printable download box under the “Free printable nacho bar sign” section. If you have any trouble with the download box, feel free to email community@iheartnaptime.net and we sill send it to you :)
I love your plates and serving bowls. Could u share where u got them?😀
Thank you! I found them on Etsy, it’s been so long I can’t remember the exact shop. I’m sorry!
This nacho cheese was SO easy to make, it was the first appetizer to go!
I’m so glad it was a hit! We love how easy it is too! :)
Thank you for the printables. We re having a nacho bar at my daughter’s gender reveal this weekend and this is simple and perfect. Thanks again!
So glad you can use these! Sounds like a fun party! :)
Hi!!
I used your free printable Nacho Bar sign for a March Madness nacho bar we hosted! We love it – Could you tell me the font that you used for “nacho bar” and “party” ?
Hi Bailey! I’m sorry, I don’t have the font. It was made by a previous contributor.
Where did you find the sign? Is there a template? Love it!
Hi Jennifer! It is a free printable on the post. :)
Super cute! Thanks for sharing but is the link missing?
Woops, sorry about that! Just added it in :) Enjoy!
Do you have a recipe for the carnitas?
We love this recipe: https://www.iheartnaptime.net/carnitas/. Hope you enjoy! :)
literally, the best nachos that I have ever had! Thanks!
Great idea for the nacho bar. I’m having a super bowl party at my house and this will be perfect!
I love this post! And I am with you, nachos..all day, every day! Would you mind sharing where you purchased the bowls for the nachos, and the bowls for the nacho toppings? Thanks!
Thank you! I got them at Hobby Lobby! :)