Print

Creamy Nacho Cheese Soup Recipe with Crunchy Tortilla Chips Easy and Best

creamy nacho cheese soup - featured image
Print Recipe

A creamy, cheesy soup with a hint of smoky jalapeño, topped with crunchy tortilla chips. Perfect for cozy dinners, game days, or family gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 small jalapeño pepper, seeded and diced
  • 4 cups (32 fl oz) chicken broth
  • 2 cups (16 fl oz) whole milk
  • 3 cups (about 12 oz) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup (about 4 oz) shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Fresh cilantro, for garnish (optional)
  • Crunchy tortilla chips, for topping

Instructions

  1. Finely chop the onion, mince the garlic, and dice the jalapeño (remove seeds for less heat). Set aside.
  2. In a large heavy-bottomed pot, melt 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Once melted and bubbling, whisk in 1/4 cup all-purpose flour. Keep whisking constantly for about 2 minutes until it turns a light golden color and smells nutty.
  3. Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, and diced jalapeño to the roux. Stir well and cook until softened and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes, until onions are translucent but not browned.
  4. Slowly pour in 4 cups chicken broth while whisking to prevent lumps. Then add 2 cups whole milk. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
  5. Stir in 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin, and salt and pepper to taste. Let the soup simmer gently for 10 minutes, whisking occasionally.
  6. Reduce heat to low. Gradually sprinkle in 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar and 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese, whisking constantly until fully melted and smooth. Avoid boiling.
  7. Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or a pinch of cayenne if desired. If too thick, whisk in a bit more milk to loosen.
  8. Ladle the soup into bowls and top generously with crunchy tortilla chips. Garnish with fresh cilantro if desired.

Notes

[‘Whisk the roux thoroughly to avoid lumps and achieve a silky soup.’, ‘Add cheese over low heat to prevent clumping or grainy texture.’, ‘Freshly grate cheese for best melting and flavor.’, ‘Adjust jalapeño seeds to control spice level.’, ‘Simmer gently for 10 minutes to meld flavors and thicken soup.’, ‘If soup thickens too much after sitting, stir in milk or broth before reheating.’, ‘Add tortilla chips fresh when serving to maintain crunch.’, ‘For vegetarian version, use vegetable broth and vegetarian cheese.’, ‘For gluten-free, substitute flour with gluten-free flour or cornstarch slurry.’, ‘For dairy-free, use plant-based milk and dairy-free cheese alternatives.’]

Nutrition

Keywords: nacho cheese soup, creamy cheese soup, tortilla chips, game day soup, easy cheese soup, jalapeño soup, comfort food

Find it online: https://cooksybite.com/creamy-nacho-cheese-soup-recipe-with-crunchy-tortilla-chips-easy-and-best/