</head>Nachos may flourish in sports bars alongside jalapeño poppers and chicken tenders, but I give them the consideration of a four-star meal. You can't just dump chips and cheese together and expect crunchy-melty-salty-spicy excellence. After years of experimenting for my annual nacho party (held during one very big football game), I've landed on a few rules for each component.

The Five Keys To Reaching Nacho Nirvana

1. The Chip

The ideal specimen is medium-thick. Greasy, thin versions--like the ones some restaurants fry in-house--won't hold up here. I'm into Tostitos Simply Natural chips.

2. The Cheese

Liquid cheese, the kind that comes in a side compartment at the concession stand, tastes like candle wax. Gruyere? Save it for grilled cheese. I go for a blend of sharp yellow cheddar and Monterey Jack; they melt well and aren't overpowering.

3. The Meat

You want shredded or pulled meat for easy building and eating. Pork is my gold standard--it crisps up nicely but remains juicy under blasts of cheese-melting heat. Try our carnitas , or buy pulled pork from a barbecue joint. Omitting the meat is fine, too; just don't anger the nacho gods with tofu.

4. The Fixings

As with any dish, balance is paramount. Meat and cheese beg for heat, freshness, and acidity. So I finish with radishes and cilantro and set out jalapeños, salsa, guacamole, and sour cream for garnishing.

5. The Strategy

Nachos leave room for personal preferences (switch up the fixings, use a different chip), but proper assembly is nonnegotiable. Start with a baking sheet: You need surface area, plus it makes a statement to present a tray of nachos that generous. Spread out a layer of chips, followed by an even distribution of meat and beans, then lots--I mean lots--of cheese. Complete coverage guarantees you don't commit the cardinal sin of nacho making: the sad chip with no topping. Repeat until you have an impressive tray a few layers high, then bake. Pour yourself a Margarita, let guests yank out a cheesy chipful, and watch them go nuts.

Get the Recipes

• Nachos with All the Fixings

• Beer-Braised Carnitas

• Charred Tomatillo Salsa

• Dried Chile Salsa

Related

• More Nacho Fixings

• DIY Taco Party