Let's Dish Out Smokin' Hot Mountain Nachos!
Baking Delectable Smoky Mountain Nachos
Skip the chaos of shared platters and let everyone savor their favored toppings with these tantalizing plated nachos. No more squabbles!

Spice things up with chipotle chiles, offering an enticing smoky flavor and a touch of heat, striking the perfect harmony with queso and Cotija.

Step foot in flavor town by incorporating fresh scallions into Ro-tel, which, trust us, will take your taste buds on a thrilling ride reminiscent of Dollywood's enchanting attractions.

Our nacho recipe pays homage to Dollywood's famed Smoky Mountain Nachos from Till & Harvest Food Hall. This culinary treat is bursting with queso, spiced beef, delectable cilantro-lime rice, savory Cotija, and vibrant pico de gallo, all perched upon a tantalizing bed of crunchy tortilla chips.

While we've tweaked our version slightly, the essence remains true. We've opted for chipotle over guajillo for a smokier bite, which blends harmoniously with the dish's title. And, because everything's better with queso, we've included it too!

Indulge in our Smoky Mountain Nachos recipe and experience the magical essence of Dollywood without ever leaving home.


Ingredients:
- 1 lb. lean ground sirloin
- 1 tbsp. chopped chipotle chiles in adobo sauce
- 1 tsp. ground cumin
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 1 tsp. kosher salt, divided
- 1 tsp. cornstarch
- 2/3 cup water
- 1 lb. processed cheese (yellow or white, such as Velveeta), cubed
- 1 (10-oz.) can diced tomatoes and green chiles (such as Ro-tel), undrained
- 1/3 cup chopped scallions
- 1 (8.8-oz.) package precooked white rice
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 tsp. lime zest
- 1 tbsp. fresh lime juice
- 1 (12-oz.) bag tortilla chips
- 3 oz. Cotija cheese, crumbled
- 1 cup store-bought pico de gallo
Instructions:
- Gather all your ingredients like a seasoned chef.
Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Unleash the beef's potential by breaking it up with your spatula as it browns, about 5-6 minutes. Sprinkle the chipotles, cumin, garlic powder, and 3/4 teaspoon of salt over the beef while it cooks, stirring frequently.
- Stir in the cornstarch and add water to the pan. Cook, occasionally mixing, until the sauce thickens, approximately 1-2 minutes. Blend in the scallions, and keep the seasoned beef warm.
- Microwave the processed cheese in a large microwave-safe bowl, accompanied by the diced tomatoes and green chiles. Stir every minute until the cheese melts, about 4-5 minutes, and cover it to keep it warm.
- Follow the package instructions to heat the precooked white rice. In a separate bowl, combine the remaining 1/4 teaspoon of salt, chopped cilantro, lime zest, and lime juice.
- Assemble your nachos by dividing the tortilla chips among 4 plates. Load them generously with queso (reserve any leftover queso), followed by the spiced beef and cilantro-lime rice. Top with crumbled Cotija and pico de gallo.
Dig in and savor the unique flavors that transport you straight to the heart of Dollywood! Enjoy your single-serving, customizable Smoky Mountain snacks like you're enjoying the theme park's cinnamon bread and live music!
- Instead of shared platters, serve personalized Smoky Mountain Nachos with your preferred toppings, avoiding dinner squabbles.
- Spicy chipotle chiles add a smoky flavor and mild heat, forming a delicious harmony with queso and Cotija for appetizers.
- Explore outside-the-box entertaining ideas by incorporating fresh scallions into Ro-tel for an exciting twist that rivals Dollywood's captivating rides.
- Prepare quick and easy dinners that pay homage to Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Nachos from Till & Harvest Food Hall, featuring queso, spiced beef, rice, Cotija, and pico de gallo on crunchy tortilla chips.
- To elevate our Smoky Mountain Nachos recipe, swap guajillo peppers for chipotle and ensure the dish includes ample queso while preserving its essence.
- Follow this recipe to create Smoky Mountain Nachos reminiscent of Dollywood, experiencing the park's enchanting atmosphere without leaving home.
- Make dinner special with our multi-step Smoky Mountain Nachos recipe using lean ground sirloin, chipotle chiles, scallions, rice, Cotija, and pico de gallo, accompanied by quick and easy dinner suggestions.