Football Field Nacho Platter

Featured in: Weekend Favorite Recipes

This football field nacho platter is a fun and festive dish perfect for gatherings and game days. Layers of tortilla chips are topped with cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese, black beans, and olives before baking to gooey perfection. Fresh guacamole lines mark the end zones, while sour cream lines mimic yard markers, creating an appealing edible field. Complemented by zesty pico de gallo, salsa, and optional protein additions like shredded chicken or ground beef, it offers a delicious balance of textures and flavors. Easy to prepare and visually impressive, this platter brings both taste and style to any party.

Updated on Thu, 04 Dec 2025 14:29:00 GMT
A delicious Football Field Nacho Platter, layered with melted cheese and fresh toppings, ready to enjoy. Save to Pinterest
A delicious Football Field Nacho Platter, layered with melted cheese and fresh toppings, ready to enjoy. | nibbro.com

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 every game day party I've hosted, bringing people together to enjoy delicious Tex-Mex flavors.

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

Step 1:
Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F).
Step 2:
Arrange the tortilla chips in an even layer on a large rectangular baking sheet or platter to form the field.
Step 3:
Sprinkle cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses evenly over the chips.
Step 4:
Distribute black beans and olives over the cheese. Add cooked chicken or beef if using.
Step 5:
Bake in the oven for 8–10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Step 6:
While baking, mash avocados with lime juice and salt to make guacamole.
Step 7:
In a small bowl, mix diced tomatoes red onion and cilantro for a fresh pico de gallo.
Step 8:
Remove nachos from the oven. Using a spatula, spread guacamole in two thick lines at each short end to represent end zones.
Step 9:
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.
Step 10:
Place salsa bowls at either end as goal posts and scatter jalapeño slices and extra cilantro as garnish.
Step 11:
Serve immediately with extra salsa guacamole and sour cream on the side.
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| nibbro.com

This platter brings back memories of cheering with family and friends around the TV every football season.

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

Warm, cheesy Football Field Nacho Platter, featuring black olives, beans, and creamy guacamole for game day. Save to Pinterest
Warm, cheesy Football Field Nacho Platter, featuring black olives, beans, and creamy guacamole for game day. | nibbro.com

Enjoy assembling this festive platter to impress your guests and enhance your game day experience.

Recipe FAQs

How do I create the football field design?

Arrange tortilla chips evenly, then pipe sour cream lines for yard markers and use guacamole for end zones. Place salsa bowls as goal posts.

Can I make it vegetarian or vegan?

Yes, omit the meat or use a vegetarian protein. For vegan, substitute plant-based cheese and sour cream alternatives.

What cheeses work best for melting?

Cheddar and Monterey Jack provide a creamy melt and rich flavor perfect for this layered dish.

How do optional proteins affect cooking time?

Since the chicken or beef is pre-cooked, simply add before baking to warm through, maintaining the original bake time.

What are good serving suggestions?

Serve with extra salsa, guacamole, and sour cream on the side, paired with light Mexican lagers or margaritas for flavor balance.

Football Field Nacho Platter

A vibrant nacho spread styled like a football field, featuring layered cheeses, beans, guacamole, and fresh pico de gallo.

Prep Time
25 minutes
Cook Time
10 minutes
Total Duration
35 minutes
Created by Evan Brooks


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine Tex-Mex

Makes 8 Portions

Diet Preferences Meatless

What You'll Need

Chips

01 14 oz (400 g) tortilla chips

Cheese & Toppings

01 9 oz (250 g) shredded cheddar cheese
02 9 oz (250 g) shredded Monterey Jack cheese
03 1 can (14 oz/400 g) black beans, drained and rinsed
04 5 oz (150 g) sliced black olives
05 3 ripe avocados
06 Juice of 1 lime
07 1/2 teaspoon salt
08 7 oz (200 g) 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 (200 g) salsa

Optional Protein

01 9 oz (250 g) cooked and shredded seasoned chicken
02 9 oz (250 g) cooked ground seasoned beef

How-To Steps

Step 01

Preheat oven: Set the oven to 400°F (200°C) for baking.

Step 02

Arrange chips: Spread tortilla chips evenly on a large rectangular baking sheet or platter to form the base.

Step 03

Add cheese: Sprinkle shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses uniformly over the chips.

Step 04

Top with beans, olives, and protein: Distribute black beans and sliced black olives across the cheese layer. Add cooked chicken or ground beef if desired.

Step 05

Bake nachos: Place the assembled chips in the oven and bake for 8 to 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 06

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

Step 07

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

Step 08

Decorate 'football field': Remove nachos from the oven. Use a spatula to spread guacamole in two thick lines at each short edge to represent 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 to depict yard markers and a midfield line, adding small dots for hash marks.

Step 10

Garnish: Place salsa bowls at each end as goal posts, scatter jalapeño slices and extra cilantro as garnish.

Step 11

Serve: Serve immediately, offering additional salsa, guacamole, and sour cream on the side.

Tools You'll Need

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

Allergy Info

For allergen concerns, review each food item and check with your healthcare provider.
  • Contains dairy from cheese and sour cream.
  • Possible gluten or soy presence if meat seasoning contains allergens.
  • Contains avocado, which may pose latex-fruit syndrome risk.

Nutrition Details (per portion)

Nutritional values are for reference and aren't a substitute for professional health guidance.
  • Kcal: 480
  • Fats: 25 g
  • Carbohydrates: 48 g
  • Proteins: 16 g