How do you create the football field design?

Use guacamole to form end zone lines and pipe sour cream across the chips for yard markers and hash marks, adding salsa bowls as goal posts.

Can this be made vegetarian or vegan?

Yes, omit the meat or use plant-based cheese and sour cream substitutes to accommodate vegan preferences.

Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses melt smoothly and provide creamy, mild flavors ideal for this dish.

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes at 200°C (400°F) until cheeses are melted and bubbly.

Add jalapeño slices, fresh cilantro, and extra salsa for spice and freshness, or include pickled jalapeños and diced bell peppers.

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

This nacho platter has been a hit at all our family football gatherings and always gets compliments for its creative presentation and great flavor.

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

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.
Prepare Pico de Gallo:: In a small bowl, mix diced tomatoes, red onion, and cilantro for a fresh pico de gallo.
Decorate Field:: 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.
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.

My family loves gathering around this platter during game days, creating fun and delicious memories every time.

Pair with light Mexican lagers or classic margaritas for a festive touch.

Add corn, pickled jalapeños, or diced bell peppers for extra flavor. For spicier options, include hot sauce or extra jalapeños.

Serve immediately for best taste. Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated but may lose crispness.

This recipe brings festive fun and flavor to any party while being easy to customize for all tastes.

→ How do you create the football field design?: Use guacamole to form end zone lines and pipe sour cream across the chips for yard markers and hash marks, adding salsa bowls as goal posts.
→ Can this be made vegetarian or vegan?: Yes, omit the meat or use plant-based cheese and sour cream substitutes to accommodate vegan preferences.
→ What cheeses work best for melting on top?: Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses melt smoothly and provide creamy, mild flavors ideal for this dish.
→ How long should the platter bake?: Bake for 8 to 10 minutes at 200°C (400°F) until cheeses are melted and bubbly.
→ What optional toppings enhance flavor?: Add jalapeño slices, fresh cilantro, and extra salsa for spice and freshness, or include pickled jalapeños and diced bell peppers.