Friendsgiving Nachos Recipe

Introduction

Friendsgiving Nachos are a fun and delicious way to use up holiday leftovers in a crowd-pleasing dish. Combining mashed potatoes, turkey, stuffing, and all the classic Thanksgiving flavors on crispy tortilla chips creates a comforting and festive snack or meal.

Ingredients

• 1 large bag tortilla chips
• 2 1/2 cups leftover or store-bought mashed potatoes, warmed
• 2 cups shredded leftover turkey or rotisserie chicken
• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar
• 1 cup shredded fontina, white cheddar, or gouda
• 1 1/2 cups leftover stuffing or 1/2 (6-oz.) box stuffing, prepared according to package directions
• 3 oz. Brussels sprouts, shredded with a knife (about 1 cup)
• 1 (14-oz.) can whole cranberry sauce
• 1 fresh jalapeño, stemmed, seeded, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup packed fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
• 1/4 cup leftover or store-bought gravy
• 1 scallion, thinly sliced
• 1/3 cup pickled jalapeños

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 425ºF. On a large baking sheet, spread the tortilla chips in a single even layer. Dollop small spoonfuls of warmed mashed potatoes over the chips, then gently spread to cover evenly.
2. Step 2: Top the chips and potatoes with shredded turkey, sharp cheddar, fontina (or your choice of cheese), stuffing, and shredded Brussels sprouts.
3. Step 3: Bake the layered nachos in the oven for about 10 minutes, or until the chips are toasted and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
4. Step 4: While the nachos bake, mix the whole cranberry sauce, fresh jalapeño slices, and chopped cilantro in a medium bowl to create a bright and spicy topping.
5. Step 5: Remove the nachos from the oven. Drizzle with gravy and some of the cranberry sauce mixture. Sprinkle sliced scallions and pickled jalapeños on top.
6. Step 6: Serve the nachos immediately with the remaining cranberry sauce mixture on the side for dipping. Enjoy your festive Friendsgiving creation!

Tips & Variations

• For extra creaminess, add dollops of sour cream or a drizzle of ranch dressing before serving.
• Substitute turkey with leftover ham or chicken if preferred.
• Add a sprinkle of crispy bacon bits for smoky flavor.
• Use a mix of cheeses to boost flavor depth and melt quality.

Storage

Store leftover nachos in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in a 350ºF oven for 10–15 minutes to keep the chips crispy. Avoid microwaving to prevent sogginess.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these nachos vegetarian?

Yes, you can skip the turkey and use vegetarian stuffing and plant-based gravy. Adding extra vegetables or beans can boost protein and flavor.

What can I use if I don’t have leftover mashed potatoes?

You can prepare fresh mashed potatoes quickly or substitute with a layer of refried beans or creamy cheese sauce for a different twist.

Friendsgiving Nachos Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 116 reviews

These Friendsgiving Nachos are a festive and comforting twist on classic nachos, featuring Thanksgiving leftovers like mashed potatoes, turkey, stuffing, and Brussels sprouts piled high on crispy tortilla chips. Topped with melted cheddar and fontina cheeses, drizzled with gravy, and served with a zesty cranberry jalapeño salsa, this dish combines savory, tangy, and spicy flavors for the perfect holiday appetizer or snack.

• Author: Cleo
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients

• 1 large bag tortilla chips
• 2 1/2 cups leftover or store-bought mashed potatoes, warmed
• 2 cups shredded leftover turkey or rotisserie chicken
• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded fontina, white cheddar, or gouda cheese
• 1 1/2 cups leftover stuffing or 1/2 (6-oz.) box stuffing, prepared according to package directions
• 3 oz. Brussels sprouts, shredded with a knife (about 1 cup)

Toppings and Sauces

• 1 (14-oz.) can whole cranberry sauce
• 1 fresh jalapeño, stemmed, seeded, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup packed fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
• 1/4 cup leftover or store-bought gravy
• 1 scallion, thinly sliced
• 1/3 cup pickled jalapeños

Instructions

1. Preheat and Arrange Chips: Preheat your oven to 425ºF. On a large baking sheet, spread the tortilla chips out in a single layer to ensure they crisp evenly and the toppings will distribute well.
2. Add Mashed Potatoes and Layer Ingredients: Dollop small spoonfuls of the warmed mashed potatoes over the chips, then spread gently to form an even layer. Next, top with shredded turkey, sharp cheddar, fontina (or your chosen cheese), stuffing, and shredded Brussels sprouts, layering evenly across the chips.
3. Bake Nachos: Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake the nachos until the chips are toasted and the cheese has melted beautifully, about 10 minutes.
4. Prepare Cranberry Jalapeño Sauce: While the nachos bake, combine the whole cranberry sauce, fresh jalapeño slices, and chopped cilantro in a medium bowl. This mixture will add a bright, spicy kick to complement the savory ingredients.
5. Finish and Serve: Once baked, remove the nachos from the oven. Drizzle evenly with gravy and spoon some of the cranberry jalapeño sauce mixture on top. Sprinkle sliced scallions and pickled jalapeños for extra flavor and crunch. Serve immediately, accompanied by the remaining cranberry sauce mixture on the side for dipping.

Notes

• Use leftover Thanksgiving ingredients or store-bought alternatives to save time.
• Adjust the amount of jalapeños to control the heat level.
• Shredded Brussels sprouts add a nice texture contrast but can be omitted if unavailable.
• Use gluten-free stuffing and gravy to make this recipe gluten-free.
• For a vegetarian version, substitute turkey with cooked mushrooms or a plant-based protein.
• Serve these nachos immediately for the crispiest texture.

Keywords: Friendsgiving, nachos, Thanksgiving leftovers, turkey nachos, mashed potato nachos, holiday appetizer