Football Field Nacho Platter

Featured in: Seasonal Treats

This football field nacho platter brings a festive touch to any gathering, combining crunchy tortilla chips layered with melted cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses. Topped with black beans, olives, and optional seasoned chicken or beef, it bakes to bubbly perfection. Fresh guacamole lines the end zones while sour cream piped in yard lines and dots mimics the field's markers. A fresh pico de gallo and zesty salsa add brightness. Perfect for game day, this colorful dish balances savory, creamy, and spicy flavors with an inviting presentation.

Updated on Thu, 04 Dec 2025 09:51:00 GMT
Golden, melted cheese blankets this Football Field Nacho Platter, ready for a game day feast. Pin
Golden, melted cheese blankets this Football Field Nacho Platter, ready for a game day feast. | cinnamonnest.com

A festive, crowd-pleasing nacho platter arranged and decorated to resemble a football field—perfect for game day gatherings.

This recipe has always been the centerpiece of our game day celebrations and gets rave reviews every time.

Ingredients

  • Chips: 400 g (14 oz) tortilla chips
  • Cheese & Toppings: 250 g (9 oz) shredded cheddar cheese, 250 g (9 oz) shredded Monterey Jack cheese, 1 can (400 g/14 oz) black beans drained and rinsed, 150 g (5 oz) sliced black olives, 3 ripe avocados, 1 lime juiced, 1/2 tsp salt, 200 g (7 oz) sour cream, 3 medium tomatoes diced, 1 small red onion finely chopped, 1 jalapeño thinly sliced (optional), 1 bunch fresh cilantro chopped, 200 g (7 oz) salsa
  • Optional Protein: 250 g (9 oz) cooked and shredded chicken seasoned or 250 g (9 oz) cooked ground beef seasoned

Instructions

Preheat Oven:
Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F).
Arrange Chips:
Arrange the tortilla chips in an even layer on a large rectangular baking sheet or platter to form the field.
Add Cheese:
Sprinkle cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses evenly over the chips.
Add Toppings:
Distribute black beans and olives over the cheese. Add cooked chicken or beef if using.
Bake:
Bake in the oven for 8–10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Prepare Guacamole:
While baking, mash avocados with lime juice and salt to make guacamole.
Make Pico de Gallo:
In a small bowl, mix diced tomatoes, red onion, and cilantro for a fresh pico de gallo.
Remove and Decorate:
Remove nachos from the oven. Using a spatula, spread guacamole in two thick lines at each short end to represent end zones.
Add Sour Cream Lines:
Fill a piping bag or zip-top bag with sour cream snip the tip and pipe lines across the field to depict yard markers and a midfield line. Add small dots for hash marks.
Add Garnish:
Place salsa bowls at either end as goal posts and scatter jalapeño slices and extra cilantro as garnish.
Serve:
Serve immediately with extra salsa guacamole and sour cream on the side.
Pin
| cinnamonnest.com

This recipe brings our whole family together cheering and sharing every touchdown moment with delicious food.

Required Tools

Large rectangular baking sheet or platter Oven Mixing bowls Spatula Piping bag or zip-top bag for sour cream lines

Allergen Information

Contains dairy (cheese sour cream) If adding meat may contain gluten or soy depending on seasoning Contains avocado (latex-fruit syndrome risk) Always check ingredient labels for hidden allergens

Nutritional Information (per serving)

Calories 480 Total Fat 25 g Carbohydrates 48 g Protein 16 g

A vibrant Football Field Nacho Platter topped with fresh guacamole and pico de gallo, ready to serve! Pin
A vibrant Football Field Nacho Platter topped with fresh guacamole and pico de gallo, ready to serve! | cinnamonnest.com

This football field nacho platter is sure to impress your guests and make your game day unforgettable.

Recipe FAQ

What cheeses are used in the platter?

Shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses are layered over the chips to create a rich, melted base.

Can I include meat in the nachos?

Yes, cooked shredded chicken or seasoned ground beef can be added for extra protein and flavor.

How is the football field effect created?

Guacamole is spread in thick lines at each end to mimic end zones, while sour cream is piped in lines and dots to resemble yard markers and hash marks.

Are there vegetarian options available?

Absolutely, simply omit the meat and enjoy the vegetarian-friendly layers of beans, cheese, and fresh toppings.

What toppings add freshness to the nacho platter?

Diced tomatoes, finely chopped red onion, fresh cilantro, and sliced jalapeños bring bright, fresh flavors to balance the dish.

How can I make it vegan-friendly?

Use plant-based cheese and sour cream alternatives to suit vegan dietary preferences.

Football Field Nacho Platter

A vibrant nacho spread styled like a football field with melted cheeses, guacamole, and fresh salsa.

Prep duration
25 min
Cooking duration
10 min
Total duration
35 min

Category Seasonal Treats

Difficulty Easy

Origin Tex-Mex

Yield 8 Servings

Dietary requirements Vegetarian, Gluten-free

Ingredients

Chips

01 14 oz tortilla chips

Cheese & Toppings

01 9 oz shredded cheddar cheese
02 9 oz shredded Monterey Jack cheese
03 1 can (14 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
04 5 oz sliced black olives
05 3 ripe avocados
06 Juice of 1 lime
07 ½ teaspoon salt
08 7 oz sour cream
09 3 medium tomatoes, diced
10 1 small red onion, finely chopped
11 1 jalapeño, thinly sliced (optional)
12 1 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped
13 7 oz salsa

Optional Protein

01 9 oz cooked and shredded chicken, seasoned
02 9 oz cooked ground beef, seasoned

Directions

Step 01

Preheat oven: Heat oven to 400°F (200°C).

Step 02

Arrange chips: Spread tortilla chips in an even layer on a large rectangular baking sheet or platter to form the base.

Step 03

Add cheeses: Evenly distribute shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses over the chips.

Step 04

Add toppings: Scatter black beans and sliced black olives atop the cheese. Add cooked chicken or ground beef if using.

Step 05

Bake: Place in the oven and bake for 8–10 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 06

Prepare guacamole: While baking, mash avocados with lime juice and salt until smooth to create guacamole.

Step 07

Make pico de gallo: Combine diced tomatoes, finely chopped red onion, and chopped cilantro in a bowl.

Step 08

Decorate end zones: Remove nachos from oven and spread guacamole in two thick lines at each short end to resemble end zones.

Step 09

Pipe sour cream lines: Fill a piping or zip-top bag with sour cream, snip the tip, and pipe lines across the field for yard markers and a midfield line, adding small dots for hash marks.

Step 10

Add final garnishes: Place salsa bowls at each end as goal posts and scatter jalapeño slices and extra cilantro as garnish.

Step 11

Serve: Serve immediately with extra salsa, guacamole, and sour cream on the side.

Necessary tools

  • Large rectangular baking sheet or platter
  • Oven
  • Mixing bowls
  • Spatula
  • Piping bag or zip-top bag

Allergy information

Review ingredients carefully for potential allergens and consult with a healthcare provider if you're uncertain.
  • Contains dairy from cheese and sour cream.
  • Optional meat additions may contain gluten or soy depending on seasoning.
  • Contains avocado which may trigger latex-fruit syndrome.

Nutritional information (per serving)

These values are approximate guidelines only and shouldn't replace professional medical advice.
  • Calories: 480
  • Fat: 25 g
  • Carbs: 48 g
  • Protein: 16 g