Looking for the ultimate comfort food to feed a crowd during game day? Look no further than this Game Day Nacho Chili Casserole. It’s packed with all the flavors you love in a loaded nacho, but baked into one epic, scoopable dish. Whether you’re hosting a party or just craving something hearty and satisfying, this casserole has everything you need. It’s easy to make, customizable to suit everyone’s tastes, and, most importantly, delicious!
In this recipe, the combination of seasoned beef, beans, cheese, and crispy tortilla chips makes for a game-changing dish that will become a crowd favorite in no time. Plus, it’s a great way to use up any leftover taco toppings and make something amazing.
What is Game Day Nacho Chili Casserole?
The Game Day Nacho Chili Casserole is a mouthwatering dish that brings together the best parts of nachos and chili in one fantastic casserole. Layers of crispy tortilla chips are combined with seasoned chili meat, beans, cheese, and a variety of flavorful toppings. Once baked, the casserole turns into a melty, cheesy, and hearty dish that’s perfect for scooping up with extra chips.
It’s the ultimate comfort food, and it’s ideal for gatherings like parties, game days, or even as a quick family dinner. This casserole can be customized with your favorite ingredients, so whether you like it mild or spicy, vegetarian or meaty, there’s a variation for everyone.
Origin of the Game Day Nacho Chili Casserole
While there isn’t a specific origin for this dish, it’s heavily inspired by classic nachos and chili, two beloved comfort foods in American cuisine. Nachos, with their crispy chips topped with cheese, meat, beans, and salsa, have long been a favorite snack at sports games, parties, and casual gatherings. Chili, with its rich, savory flavors, often accompanies nachos to create a hearty, filling meal.
The Game Day Nacho Chili Casserole is a natural evolution of both of these dishes. By layering the chili and nacho ingredients together and baking them into one dish, it makes for an even more convenient and satisfying meal that can be easily served to a crowd.
Ingredients for Game Day Nacho Chili Casserole
This recipe requires simple ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry and fridge. Here’s what you’ll need:
Base Layer:
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef, turkey, chicken, or plant-based meat (choose your favorite protein)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (10–15 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies (like Rotel)
- 1 cup corn (frozen or canned)
- 1 packet taco seasoning or 2 tbsp homemade taco seasoning
- ½ cup salsa or enchilada sauce (optional for a saucier casserole)
Layers & Topping:
- 1 bag tortilla chips (thick, not thin restaurant-style chips)
- 2–3 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, Mexican blend, pepper jack, or your favorite cheese)
- Optional add-ins: pickled jalapeños, olives, green onions, cilantro for extra flavor
Step-by-Step Instructions for Preparation
Let’s walk through how to make this delicious casserole step by step:
1. Preheat the Oven
Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) and let it heat up while you prepare the casserole.
2. Cook the Chili Filling
In a large skillet, heat a small amount of oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, sautéing until fragrant and softened, about 2-3 minutes. Next, add your choice of ground meat (beef, turkey, chicken, or a plant-based option) and cook it until browned.
Once the meat is cooked, stir in the black beans, diced tomatoes with green chilies, corn, taco seasoning, and salsa (if using). Let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes to thicken slightly and develop all the flavors.
3. Assemble the Casserole
In a 9×13-inch baking dish, begin layering the casserole:
- Spread a light layer of crushed tortilla chips across the bottom of the dish (don’t make them too fine).
- Add half of the chili mixture and spread it out evenly.
- Sprinkle a generous layer of shredded cheese over the chili.
- Repeat the layers: chips → chili → cheese until you run out of ingredients.
4. Bake the Casserole
Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 15–20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and everything is heated through.
5. Add Toppings After Baking
Once out of the oven, top your casserole with fresh ingredients like sour cream, pickled jalapeños, salsa, avocado, shredded lettuce, green onions, and any other favorite toppings.
6. Serve and Enjoy
Serve the Game Day Nacho Chili Casserole with extra tortilla chips on the side for scooping up all that cheesy goodness!
Pro Tips for a Perfect Nacho Chili Casserole
- For sturdier chips: Use thick-cut tortilla chips or even Fritos scoops to prevent the chips from getting soggy.
- Make it spicier: Add chipotle peppers, spicy salsa, or extra hot taco seasoning to kick things up.
- Make it creamier: Swirl in half a block of cream cheese or drizzle queso before baking for an extra creamy texture.
- Prevent sogginess: To keep the chips crispy, add them just before baking, not earlier.
Variations of the Game Day Nacho Chili Casserole
This dish is incredibly versatile, and you can swap out ingredients to suit your preferences or dietary restrictions. Here are a few ideas for how to switch things up:
| Style | Swap |
|---|---|
| BBQ Nacho Casserole | Swap the chili with BBQ sauce + pulled pork for a smoky twist. |
| Buffalo Nacho Casserole | Use shredded chicken + buffalo sauce + blue cheese for a tangy, spicy version. |
| Vegetarian Nacho Casserole | Replace the meat with beans, lentils, sweet potatoes, or meatless crumbles for a hearty vegetarian version. |
| Breakfast Nacho Casserole | Add scrambled eggs, chorizo, and hash browns for a breakfast-friendly option. |
FAQs About Game Day Nacho Chili Casserole
Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Yes! You can assemble the casserole up to a day in advance. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate it. When ready to bake, remove it from the fridge and bake as instructed. You may need to add a few extra minutes to the cooking time if baking from cold.
Can I freeze leftovers?
Absolutely! This casserole freezes well. After baking, let it cool completely, then cover it tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, bake from frozen at 350°F for 25-30 minutes or until heated through.
What kind of chips should I use?
Thick tortilla chips work best, as they hold up better under the weight of the toppings. Avoid thin chips as they may get soggy.
Can I make this casserole spicier?
For extra heat, add some chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, use spicy salsa, or increase the amount of taco seasoning. You can also top the casserole with jalapeños for an extra kick.
Conclusion
The Game Day Nacho Chili Casserole is the perfect dish for your next gathering or game-day celebration. With layers of seasoned chili, crispy tortilla chips, and melted cheese, it’s a hearty, flavorful meal that everyone will love. Plus, it’s easy to customize, so you can make it as spicy, creamy, or veggie-packed as you like. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just indulging in some comfort food, this casserole is sure to become a favorite. Don’t forget to top it with your favorite garnishes and serve with extra chips for maximum enjoyment!
Print
Game Day Nacho Chili Casserole Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
The Game Day Nacho Chili Casserole is a mouthwatering dish that brings together the best parts of nachos and chili in one fantastic casserole. Layers of crispy tortilla chips are combined with seasoned chili meat, beans, cheese, and a variety of flavorful toppings. Once baked, the casserole turns into a melty, cheesy, and hearty dish that’s perfect for scooping up with extra chips.
Ingredients
Base Layer
1 lb (450g) ground beef, turkey, chicken or plant-based meat
1 small onion, diced
2–3 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained & rinsed
1 can (10–15 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies (like Rotel)
1 cup corn (frozen or canned)
1 packet taco seasoning or 2 tbsp homemade
½ cup salsa or enchilada sauce (optional for saucier casserole)
Layers & Topping
1 bag tortilla chips (thick, not thin restaurant style)
2–3 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, Mexican blend, pepper jack, etc.)
Optional add-ins: pickled jalapeños, olives, green onions, cilantro
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Cook the chili filling
In a skillet, sauté onion + garlic in a little oil.
Add ground meat, cook until browned.
Stir in beans, tomatoes, corn, taco seasoning, and salsa/enchilada sauce if using.
Simmer 5 minutes to thicken slightly.
Assemble
In a 9×13 baking dish:
Spread a light layer of crushed tortilla chips (not too fine).
Add half the chili mix.
Sprinkle cheese.
Repeat layers (chips → chili → cheese).
Bake 15–20 minutes, until hot and cheese is melted and bubbly.
Top after baking with: sour cream, jalapeños, salsa, avocado, shredded lettuce, green onion, etc.
Serve with extra chips for scooping!
Notes
This hearty nacho chili casserole is the ultimate game day comfort food! Layer it with extra cheese, jalapeños, or sour cream for a customizable kick. Perfect for sharing with friends and family while cheering on your favorite team!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 420
Keywords: nacho casserole, chili nacho casserole, game day casserole, cheesy nacho casserole, chili cheese casserole
