Football Field Nacho Platter

Featured in: Sunbeam Starts

This football field nacho platter is designed for game day celebrations, featuring tortilla chips topped with melted cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses. Layers of black beans, olives, and optional cooked meats add depth, while fresh guacamole and pico de gallo add vibrant flavor. Sour cream is piped to create yard lines, completing the football field look. This easy-to-assemble dish serves 8 and pairs well with light Mexican lagers or margaritas.

Updated on Thu, 04 Dec 2025 10:10:00 GMT
Golden, bubbly Football Field Nacho Platter topped with melted cheese, ready to serve and enjoy. Save
Golden, bubbly Football Field Nacho Platter topped with melted cheese, ready to serve and enjoy. | cheerfulchefs.com

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

This platter is always the highlight at our parties and brings everyone together for some fun and delicious snacking.

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 Beans and Olives:
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.
Make 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:
Remove nachos from the oven. Using a spatula, spread guacamole in two thick lines at each short end to represent end zones.
Pipe 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 Garnishes:
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.
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| cheerfulchefs.com

Everyone in my family looks forward to this platter during our game day traditions making it a cherished recipe.

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 shows melted cheese and toppings, perfect for game day snacking success. Save
A vibrant Football Field Nacho Platter shows melted cheese and toppings, perfect for game day snacking success. | cheerfulchefs.com

Enjoy this vibrant and fun platter that’s sure to be the star of your next game day.

Recipe FAQs

Can this platter be made vegetarian?

Yes, simply omit the optional cooked chicken or beef and use plant-based cheese and sour cream if desired.

What cheeses are best for melting on this platter?

Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses melt well and provide a creamy, flavorful base.

How do I create the football field design?

Arrange chips as the field, layer toppings evenly, then pipe sour cream lines and use guacamole to mark end zones.

Can I prepare any toppings ahead of time?

Yes, guacamole and pico de gallo can be made in advance and refrigerated until ready to assemble.

What are good drink pairings with this platter?

Light Mexican lagers or classic margaritas complement the flavors of the platter well.

Is it possible to make this platter spicier?

Adding jalapeños, pickled peppers, or hot sauce increases the heat according to your preference.

Football Field Nacho Platter

A layered nacho platter styled like a football field, featuring cheese, beans, guacamole, and salsa.

Prep Time
25 minutes
Cook Time
10 minutes
Overall Time
35 minutes
Creator Ruby Smiles

Recipe Type Sunbeam Starts

Skill Level Easy

Cuisine Background Tex-Mex

Portions 8 Serves

Dietary Preferences Vegetarian-Friendly, Gluten-Free Option

What You’ll Need

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 1 lime, juiced
07 1/2 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

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 01

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

Step 02

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

Step 03

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

Step 04

Add Beans, Olives, and Protein: Distribute black beans and sliced olives atop the cheese. Add cooked chicken or ground beef if desired.

Step 05

Bake Nachos: Bake in the oven for 8 to 10 minutes until the cheese has melted and is bubbly.

Step 06

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

Step 07

Make Pico de Gallo: Combine diced tomatoes, finely chopped red onion, and chopped cilantro in a small bowl.

Step 08

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

Step 09

Add Yard Markers: Fill a piping or zip-top bag with sour cream, snip the tip, then pipe yard lines and a midfield line across the nachos, adding small dots for hash marks.

Step 10

Add Garnishes: Place small bowls of salsa at each end to simulate 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.

Tools You’ll Need

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

Potential Allergens

Inspect ingredients for specific allergens and contact a professional for concerns.
  • Contains dairy products such as cheese and sour cream.
  • May contain gluten or soy depending on seasoning if meat is added.
  • Contains avocado, which may cause latex-fruit syndrome reactions.

Nutritional Details (Per Serving)

Provided as supportive info; always cross-check with your healthcare provider.
  • Calories: 480
  • Fats: 25 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 48 grams
  • Proteins: 16 grams