Can I make these nachos vegetarian?

Absolutely! Replace the pulled pork with black beans, pinto beans, or your favorite meat substitute. The pimiento cheese does contain dairy, so for a vegan version, you'd need to use a plant-based cheese alternative and adjust the baking time accordingly.

What's the best way to prevent soggy nachos?

Start with sturdy, thick tortilla chips. Avoid watery toppings directly on the chips before baking - that's why we add fresh tomatoes and salsa after baking. Also, serving immediately after assembly helps maintain the perfect texture contrast.

Can I use a different type of cheese if I can't find pimiento cheese spread?

Yes! While pimiento cheese gives these nachos their distinctive Southern character, you can substitute with shredded cheddar, monterey jack, or a Mexican cheese blend. Add a few tablespoons of chopped pimientos if you have them for a similar flavor profile.

How do I scale this recipe for a larger crowd?

For a bigger batch, maintain the same ratio of ingredients but use multiple sheet pans rather than overcrowding a single pan. Bake them in succession or simultaneously if your oven can accommodate. For very large gatherings, consider setting up a nacho bar with the base (chips, cheese, and meat) pre-baked and letting guests add their own toppings.

Southern Sheet Pan Nachos Recipe

Name: Southern Sheet Pan Nachos Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Southern
Ingredients: tortilla chips; 1 (11-ounce) container Price*s Pimiento Cheese Spread – Southern Style; 2 cups pulled pork; 1/4 red onion (finely diced); 2 Serrano chilies (sliced); 2 Roma tomatoes (seeded and chopped); cilantro; salsa; sour cream; bbq sauce

This Southern Sheet Pan Nachos recipe is the ultimate crowd-pleaser that combines the best of Southern comfort food with classic Tex-Mex flavors! Crispy tortilla chips topped with creamy pimiento cheese, savory pulled pork, and fresh toppings create an irresistible dish that’s ready in just 25 minutes. Perfect for game days, casual gatherings, or when you simply need a delicious meal with minimal effort!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Quick and Simple: From start to finish in just 25 minutes – perfect for those evenings when you want something delicious without spending hours in the kitchen.
Crowd-Pleaser: These nachos have that perfect balance of creamy, spicy, and savory that everyone loves. The combination of Southern pimiento cheese and BBQ pulled pork creates a flavor profile that’s both familiar and exciting.
Customizable: Add as many or as few toppings as you like! This recipe serves as a fantastic base that you can easily adjust to suit your preferences or whatever ingredients you have on hand.
One-Pan Wonder: Everything bakes on a single sheet pan, meaning less cleanup and more time to enjoy your delicious creation.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Tortilla Chips: The sturdy foundation of our nachos. Choose thick, restaurant-style chips that can support all those delicious toppings without getting soggy.
Pimiento Cheese Spread: The Southern twist that makes these nachos special! Adds creamy texture and a unique tangy flavor that melts beautifully over the chips.
Pulled Pork: Provides hearty protein and savory depth. Use leftovers from your weekend BBQ or pick some up from your favorite local spot to save time.
Red Onion: Adds a sharp, crisp bite that balances the rich cheese and pork. The fine dice ensures you get just the right amount in each bite.
Serrano Chilies: Brings the heat! These bright, fresh peppers add a pleasant spiciness that wakes up your taste buds.
Roma Tomatoes: Adds fresh, juicy acidity that cuts through the richness. Seeding them prevents your nachos from becoming watery.
Cilantro: That distinctive herbal note that brightens the whole dish. If you’re not a fan, flat-leaf parsley works as a milder alternative.
Salsa: Adds moisture and concentrated tomato flavor. Choose your preferred heat level!
Sour Cream: Creates cooling pockets of creaminess that balance the spice. A must-have for nacho perfection.
BBQ Sauce: The final drizzle that ties the Southern flavor profile together, adding sweet and tangy notes that complement the pulled pork beautifully.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Protein Options

Switch up your protein game with shredded chicken, seasoned ground beef, or black beans for a vegetarian option. Smoked brisket would also be incredible if you’re feeling indulgent!

Heat Level Adjustments

Make it milder by using jalapeños instead of serranos and a mild salsa. For extra heat, add a sprinkle of cayenne pepper to the pork or use a spicy BBQ sauce.

Cheese Alternatives

If you can’t find pimiento cheese, try a combination of shredded cheddar and monterey jack with a few tablespoons of diced pimientos mixed in. The melt won’t be quite the same, but the flavor will be close.

Southern Deluxe Version

Add collard greens, pickled okra, and crumbled bacon for an extra Southern twist that will surprise and delight your guests.

How to Make Southern Sheet Pan Nachos

Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Surface

Preheat your oven to 325°F. Line a 10×15-inch jellyroll pan with parchment paper for easy cleanup. The parchment prevents the cheese from sticking and makes serving much simpler.

Step 2: Layer Your Foundation

Spread tortilla chips generously across the pan, creating a substantial base. Don’t skimp here – you want enough chips to support all those toppings without creating sad, naked spots.

Step 3: Add Cheese and Pork

Drop spoonfuls of pimiento cheese spread evenly across the chips. You don’t need to spread it – it will melt beautifully in the oven. Next, distribute the pulled pork evenly over the chips and cheese.

Step 4: Bake Until Melty

Slide your pan into the preheated oven for about 10 minutes. You’re looking for the pimiento cheese to get soft and slightly melty, and the pork to warm through. Keep an eye on it – you don’t want the chips to burn!

Step 5: Add Fresh Toppings

Remove the pan from the oven and immediately top with diced red onion, sliced serrano peppers, chopped tomatoes, and salsa. The residual heat will slightly warm these ingredients without cooking away their fresh flavor.

Step 6: Final Touches

Add dollops of sour cream across the top, sprinkle generously with fresh cilantro, and finish with a drizzle of BBQ sauce. The contrast between the warm nachos and cool toppings creates the perfect bite.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Build in Layers: For the ultimate nacho experience, create two layers of chips with cheese and pork between them before baking. This ensures every chip gets some topping love.
Warm Your Pork: If your pulled pork is coming straight from the refrigerator, microwave it for 30 seconds to take the chill off before adding it to the nachos. This helps everything heat evenly in the oven.
Don’t Overcrowd: Resist the temptation to pile on too many chips. A single generous layer allows for better cheese distribution and prevents soggy bottom chips.
Serve Immediately: These nachos are at their absolute best right after assembly when the contrast between warm, melty ingredients and cool, fresh toppings is perfect.
Prep Ahead: Chop all your fresh toppings while the oven preheats to streamline the process and get these nachos on the table even faster.

How to Serve

Perfect Pairings

Serve these loaded nachos with cold beverages like sweet tea, beer, or margaritas. For a complete meal, add a simple side salad with a light vinaigrette to balance the richness.

Serving Style

For casual gatherings, serve directly from the sheet pan for that rustic, communal eating experience. For a more formal presentation, transfer portions to individual plates with extra toppings on the side.

Extra Dips

Set out small bowls of additional sour cream, salsa, guacamole, and BBQ sauce so everyone can customize their portion to taste.

Make Ahead and Storage

Preparing Components

You can prep all the toppings up to a day ahead and store them separately in the refrigerator. The pulled pork can be made or purchased several days in advance.

Storing Leftovers

Let’s be honest – nachos are best fresh. But if you do have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The chips will soften, but the flavor will still be good.

Reheating

For the best results, reheat leftover nachos in a 325°F oven for 5-7 minutes until warmed through. Add fresh toppings after reheating. Avoid the microwave, which will make the chips chewy rather than crisp.

Freezing

I don’t recommend freezing assembled nachos, but you can freeze pulled pork for future nacho nights. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before using.

FAQs

Can I make these nachos vegetarian?

Absolutely! Replace the pulled pork with black beans, pinto beans, or your favorite meat substitute. The pimiento cheese does contain dairy, so for a vegan version, you’d need to use a plant-based cheese alternative and adjust the baking time accordingly.
What’s the best way to prevent soggy nachos?

Start with sturdy, thick tortilla chips. Avoid watery toppings directly on the chips before baking – that’s why we add fresh tomatoes and salsa after baking. Also, serving immediately after assembly helps maintain the perfect texture contrast.
Can I use a different type of cheese if I can’t find pimiento cheese spread?

Yes! While pimiento cheese gives these nachos their distinctive Southern character, you can substitute with shredded cheddar, monterey jack, or a Mexican cheese blend. Add a few tablespoons of chopped pimientos if you have them for a similar flavor profile.
How do I scale this recipe for a larger crowd?

For a bigger batch, maintain the same ratio of ingredients but use multiple sheet pans rather than overcrowding a single pan. Bake them in succession or simultaneously if your oven can accommodate. For very large gatherings, consider setting up a nacho bar with the base (chips, cheese, and meat) pre-baked and letting guests add their own toppings.

Final Thoughts

These Southern Sheet Pan Nachos represent the beautiful marriage of Tex-Mex convenience and Southern comfort food flavors. They’re perfect for busy weeknights, game day gatherings, or anytime you need to get a delicious, crowd-pleasing dish on the table with minimal fuss. The combination of creamy pimiento cheese, savory pulled pork, and fresh toppings creates something truly special that will have everyone reaching for seconds. Give this recipe a try – I promise your friends and family will be requesting “those amazing nachos” again and again!