As much as I love being in the kitchen, there are nights when getting dinner on the table can feel like a real chore. Long day at the office, traffic, and thunderstorms on the drive home, rushing to get Uno outside after being crated all day, and homework covering the kitchen table when I walk in the door. I can't be the only one that has days like this? Am I? Yet, the family still needs to eat!

My solution to making dinner feel less like a chore after a long day? Pantry baskets! I try to have several make-ahead pantry baskets in the house at all times. In partnership with Our Family®, I have created a variety of recipes that I use to assemble these pantry baskets. Attach a recipe card to the basket so that anyone in the family can grab a basket and get dinner started!

The majority of the time, this is how I make them. Make this recipe your own, be creative! Add leftover taco meat, pulled pork, or rotisserie chicken. I've also switched out the refried beans for leftover chili. Even a high-quality canned chili would be perfect with these! Kids eat all your tortilla chips? Substitute frozen french fries or tater tots! There are no rules to pantry nachos!

These are so versatile! Like many of my posts, this is just a guide to get you started. Stock up on the pantry ingredients, then take the opportunity to use up leftovers, take advantage of what's in season, and use fresh tomatoes and jalapeños. Play with your favorite toppings, add sour cream, avocado, salsa, raw onions, anything you like on top of your favorite tacos would work great with this recipe! The options and combinations are only limited to your imagination!

These Pantry Nachos are a family favorite. I make sure I always have this pantry basket filled and ready to go!

Nachos, appetizers, Mexican, Pantry Meals

Snack, Dinner

Yield: 6-8

Author: Teresa Fiocchi

Pantry Basket Nachos

Ingredients

1 12 ounce of Our Family® Tortilla Chips
1 29 ounce can of Our Family® Refried Beans
1 medium onion, chopped
1 4 ounce can of Our Family® diced green chilies
1 16 ounce bag of Our Family® shredded Mexican Cheese
1 14.5 ounce can of Our Family® diced tomatoes
1 12 jar of Our Family® jalapenos (mild, medium or hot based on how many you add)
1 15 ounce can of Our Family® black olives

Toppings (Optional)

Cilantro
Sour Cream
Salsa
Guacamole
Avocado

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Line a 12x18 sheet pan with aluminum foil. Alternately, a ventilated pizza pan or even a 9x13 casserole dish work fine.
Spread ¾ of the bag of tortilla chips on the bottom of the sheet pan. Chips should be two to three layers thick to support all the toppings. Set aside.
In a small bowl, add refried beans, chopped onion and the diced green chilies. Mix until all ingredients are well blended. Spread bean mixture on top of tortilla chips.
Top with the cheese, diced tomatoes, jalapenos, and black olives.
Bake in oven for 20-30 minutes or until the cheese is melted.

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