Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect Fusion of Flavors: The savory bratwurst and caramelized onions blend beautifully with the crispy tortilla chips and melty cheese, offering a unique and delicious twist on classic nachos.
- Quick and Easy: With only 6 main ingredients and simple steps, these nachos come together quickly, making them an ideal snack or appetizer for any occasion.
- Customizable Toppings: The toppings are fully customizable, allowing you to add jalapeños, sour cream, guacamole, and other favorites for extra flavor.
- Hearty and Filling: Thanks to the bratwurst, these nachos are filling enough to serve as a main dish or a hearty snack.
- Perfect for a Crowd: With 4-6 servings, these nachos are great for sharing at parties, game days, or casual gatherings.
- Low-Fat Option: You can keep it low-fat by using lean bratwurst and skipping the heavy sauces.
Ingredients
- 1 lb (≈450 g) bratwurst links, cooked and sliced
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 1 Tbsp oil (canola or olive oil)
- 1 bag tortilla chips (≈12 cups)
- 2–3 cups shredded cheddar (or taco-style) cheese
Optional toppings:
- Sliced jalapeños
- Chopped tomatoes
- Sour cream
- Guacamole
- Cilantro
- Spicy mustard
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
- Cook the Bratwurst: Slice or crumble the bratwurst links and brown them in a skillet over medium-high heat until crispy and heated through. Set aside.
- Caramelize the Onions: In the same pan, heat the oil and sauté the sliced onion with a pinch of salt (and pepper if desired) over medium heat. Cook until translucent and caramelized, about 15–20 minutes.
- Assemble the Nachos: Arrange a layer of tortilla chips on a baking sheet or platter. Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over the chips, then top with the sliced bratwurst and caramelized onions. Add any optional toppings like jalapeños, chopped tomatoes, mustard, sour cream, or guacamole.
- Cook the Nachos:
- Broiler Version: Broil at 400°F for 2–3 minutes until the cheese melts and bubbles.
- Oven Version: Bake at 350°F for 5–10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve Immediately: Once the cheese has melted, serve the nachos immediately while they’re hot and cheesy. Garnish with cilantro or any other desired toppings.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 4–6 servings
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25–30 minutes (includes onions and baking)
- Total Time: 35–40 minutes
Variations
- Veggie Option: Add bell peppers, tomatoes, or corn for a veggie-packed version.
- Spicy Kick: Add pickled chiles or fresh jalapeños for more heat and tang.
- Guacamole or Sour Cream: Top with a dollop of guacamole or sour cream to add a cool contrast to the warm nachos.
- Cheese Variety: Swap out cheddar for pepper jack or a taco-style blend for a bit more flavor.
Storage/Reheating
- Storing Leftovers: Store leftover nachos in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven or under the broiler for a few minutes to melt the cheese again.
- Freezing: While nachos are best served fresh, you can freeze the cooked nachos for up to a month. To reheat, bake at 350°F for 10–15 minutes until heated through.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of sausage?
Yes, you can substitute bratwurst with other types of sausage like Italian sausage or even a turkey sausage for a leaner option.
Can I make this dish vegetarian?
Yes, you can skip the bratwurst and load the nachos with additional veggies, such as mushrooms, black beans, or roasted corn, for a vegetarian version.
Can I use store-bought caramelized onions?
Yes, you can use store-bought caramelized onions if you’re short on time, but homemade onions will add extra flavor.
Can I make the nachos ahead of time?
You can prepare the toppings ahead of time (like cooking the bratwurst and caramelizing the onions) and then assemble and bake when ready to serve.
Can I add more cheese?
Absolutely! You can use any kind of cheese you like. For a creamier texture, add a cheese sauce on top before baking.
Conclusion
Bratwurst Nachos bring together the best of German sausage and Tex-Mex flavors for a delicious and hearty snack. With just six ingredients, these nachos are easy to prepare and perfect for sharing with friends or family. Whether you bake or broil them, the melty cheese and savory bratwurst will have everyone coming back for more.
Bratwurst Nachos – 6 Ingredients to the Best Cheesy Brats Ever
- Total Time: 35–40 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings
Description
Bratwurst Nachos combine savory bratwurst, melty cheese, and caramelized onions on crispy tortilla chips, creating a fusion of German and Tex-Mex flavors. With customizable toppings like jalapeños, guacamole, and sour cream, these nachos are perfect for sharing at any gathering.
Ingredients
1 lb (≈450 g) bratwurst links, cooked and sliced
1 large onion, thinly sliced
1 Tbsp oil (canola or olive oil)
1 bag tortilla chips (≈12 cups)
2–3 cups shredded cheddar (or taco-style) cheese
Optional toppings: Sliced jalapeños, chopped tomatoes, sour cream, guacamole, cilantro, spicy mustard
Instructions
- Cook the Bratwurst: Slice or crumble the bratwurst links and brown them in a skillet over medium-high heat until crispy and heated through. Set aside.
- Caramelize the Onions: In the same pan, heat the oil and sauté the sliced onion with a pinch of salt (and pepper if desired) over medium heat. Cook until translucent and caramelized, about 15–20 minutes.
- Assemble the Nachos: Arrange a layer of tortilla chips on a baking sheet or platter. Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over the chips, then top with the sliced bratwurst and caramelized onions. Add any optional toppings like jalapeños, chopped tomatoes, mustard, sour cream, or guacamole.
- Cook the Nachos:
- Broiler Version: Broil at 400°F for 2–3 minutes until the cheese melts and bubbles.
- Oven Version: Bake at 350°F for 5–10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve Immediately: Once the cheese has melted, serve the nachos immediately while they’re hot and cheesy. Garnish with cilantro or any other desired toppings.
Notes
Veggie Option: Add bell peppers, tomatoes, or corn for a veggie-packed version.
Spicy Kick: Add pickled chiles or fresh jalapeños for more heat and tang.
Guacamole or Sour Cream: Top with a dollop of guacamole or sour cream to add a cool contrast to the warm nachos.
Cheese Variety: Swap out cheddar for pepper jack or a taco-style blend for more flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25–30 minutes (includes onions and baking)
- Category: Appetizer, Snack
- Method: Baking, Broiling
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex, German
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
