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Shrimp Nachos

Shrimp Nachos FTW! Upgrade your nachos with an easy cheesy skillet of seasoned shrimp and crispy chips topped with melty pepper jack queso and all your favorite toppings!

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
35 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 337 kcal
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 1 lb Shrimp (fresh or frozen/thawed)
  • 6-8 oz tortilla chips
  • 1 tsp Cajun seasoning blend
  • ¼ tsp garlic powder
  • ¼ tsp cumin
  • ¼ tsp sweet paprika or spicy cayenne pepper
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 TBSP avocado oil (or favorite cooking oil)
  • white queso (see recipe below)
  • choice of toppings from the list below
PEPPER JACK QUESO
  • 1 TBSP unsalted butter
  • 1 TBSP all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup milk (2% or whole)
  • 1 oz cream cheese
  • 4-5 oz freshly grated pepper jack cheese (Cabot is my favorite!)
  • ¼ tsp cayennne pepper
  • salt and pepper to taste
TASTY TOPPING OPTIONS: choose your favorites!
  • shredded lettuce
  • shredded cabbage or slaw
  • fresh or pickled onion
  • salsa
  • Pico de Gallo
  • Sour Cream or Greek yogurt
  • guacamole
  • Sliced fresh jalapenos
  • pickled jalapenos
  • chopped tomatoes
  • olives
  • Sliced avocado
  • salsa verde
  • fresh cilantro

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
  2. Clean and prep shrimp, defrosting if needed. Cover and chill in the fridge while you prep the toppings and queso.
  3. To make the cheese sauce, freshly grate your pepper jack cheese (pre-shredded cheese won't work here) and measure out all ingredients. This queso comes together fast!
  4. Warm your milk in the microwave for 30-40 seconds and set aside. Heat a small sauce pot and add your butter. Once melted, add flour and whisk into butter vigorously until they become bubbly and foamy. Continue to cook and whisk constantly for about a minute to cook off the flour taste.
  5. Add warm milk and whisk vigorously into flour mixture. Allow milk to come to a simmer, whisking occasionally as it thickens. Once it has thickened, turn off burner and remove pot from heat. Add cream cheese and whisk until melted. Next slowly add grated cheddar in 3 batches, stirring it in until the cheese is fully melted. I like to keep the pot off the heat here so the cheese doesn't overhead and turn gritty. If you work quickly the milk should be hot enough to melt the cheese. Season with cayenne pepper and salt. Adjust spices to taste and you're good to go!
  6. Pat shrimp dry and season with cajun seasoning blend, garlic powder, cumin, paprika/cayenne, salt, and pepper. Mix well to coat both sides.
  7. Heat a cast iron skillet to medium-high heat with 1 TBSP of oil and sauté your shrimp. Cook on each side for about 2 minutes until shrimp curl and become opaque. The cook time will depend on the heat setting you choose and the size of your shrimp, but regardless they’ll be perfectly cooked in a matter of minutes. Set shrimp aside and clean skillet if needed.
  8. If using larger shrimp, feel free to transfer to a cutting board and chop into smaller pieces so you have enough to get a little seafood goodness in every bite.
  9. Using the same cast iron skillet, layer half the chips, shrimp, toppings, and queso. Add the remaining chips and repeat.
  10. Place skillet in oven and bake 10 minutes. Add any remaining cold toppings (like lettuce or sour cream) and dive in while they're hot!

Notes

  • Nutrition Facts below are estimated for the nachos and queso using an online recipe nutrition calculator. Adjust as needed based on extra toppings chosen and enjoy!

Nutrition Information

Calories 337kcal (17%) Carbohydrates 22g (7%) Protein 24g (48%) Fat 17g (26%) Saturated Fat 7g (35%) Cholesterol 219mg (73%) Sodium 837mg (35%) Potassium 196mg (6%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 2g (4%) Vitamin A 587IU (12%) Vitamin C 3mg (3%) Calcium 341mg (34%) Iron 3mg (17%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 337

% Daily Value*

Calories 337kcal 17%
Carbohydrates 22g 7%
Protein 24g 48%
Fat 17g 26%
Saturated Fat 7g 35%
Cholesterol 219mg 73%
Sodium 837mg 35%
Potassium 196mg 4%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 2g 4%
Vitamin A 587IU 12%
Vitamin C 3mg 3%
Calcium 341mg 34%
Iron 3mg 17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.