Indulge your taste buds in a symphony of flavors with our Shrimp Nachos – an appetizer masterpiece featuring succulent shrimp, creamy cheese, and zesty taco toppings. Once you dive into these irresistible nachos, the rich blend of seafood goodness will keep you coming back for more. Make sure you make our homemade tortilla chips to take these to the next level!

a platter of shrimp nachos from overhead.

ingredients and substitutions

Shrimp

Opt for small, frozen raw shrimp, thawed and deveined. Consider chopping larger shrimp for even distribution. Precooked shrimp works too—no need for sautéing, just warm before adding to the nachos. Experiment with a variety of seafood alternatives, such as crab, lobster, scallops, or flaky white fish. Adjust cooking times and seasoning to suit your chosen seafood.

Taco Seasoning

Infuse the shrimp with taco seasoning, and add more to the cheesy mixture for a burst of flavor. For an extra punch, craft your homemade taco seasoning.

Creamy Cheese Sauce

Embrace the richness of cream cheese combined with heavy cream for a luscious sauce. Pepper Jack and mozzarella cheeses bring a delightful kick and melt to perfection.

Toppings

Customize with tomatoes, red onions, cilantro, and jalapeño peppers. Feel free to omit or add your favorite toppings to suit your taste. Allow guests to personalize their experience with sour cream, salsa (or Pico de Gallo), and lime wedges.

A platter of shrimp nachos from the side.

Prep & storage tips

Can I Prepare These Ahead of Time?

Yes, streamline your preparation by making components ahead. Cool the cheese sauce, store it in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days, and reheat when ready to assemble. Dice jalapeños and red onions in advance for added convenience.

Storage

While best enjoyed fresh, store any leftovers for a day or two. For optimal texture, store the cheese sauce and toppings separately to prevent the chips from becoming soggy. Reheat the sauce and add toppings when ready to relish.

A platter of shrimp nachos from overhead.

Shrimp Nachos

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 6 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Indulge your taste buds in a symphony of flavors with our Shrimp Nachos – an appetizer masterpiece featuring succulent shrimp, creamy cheese, and zesty taco toppings. Once you dive into these irresistible nachos, the rich blend of seafood goodness will keep you coming back for more.
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Ingredients

  • ¼ cup ½ stick / 57 g unsalted butter
  • 1 package (12 ounces) small frozen raw shrimp, thawed, peeled, deveined
  • 2 teaspoons taco seasoning, divided
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1 ½ cups (357 g) heavy cream
  • 1 cup (113 g) Pepper Jack cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup (113 g) mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 1 bag (11 ounces) tortilla chips

Toppings

  • 1 medium tomato, finely diced
  • ¼ cup red onion, finely diced
  • ¼ cup cilantro, chopped
  • 1 medium jalapeño pepper, seeded, finely diced
  • sour cream, for serving
  • salsa, for serving
  • lime wedges, for serving

Instructions

  • In a medium nonstick pan over medium-low heat, melt butter. Add shrimp and 1 teaspoon taco seasoning. Cook for 3-5 minutes, or until the shrimp is lightly browned and cooked through. Transfer shrimp to a plate and tent to keep warm. Set aside.
  • In the same pan add cream cheese and heavy cream. Stir continuously until the cream cheese is completely melted and fully incorporated into the cream.
  • Add the cheeses and the remaining taco seasoning. Stir until the cheese is melted. Remove from heat.

Assembly

  • Spread tortilla chips on a large serving platter. Pour the cheese sauce evenly over the chips. Top with shrimp, tomato, red onion, cilantro, and jalapeno.
  • Serve with sour cream, salsa, and lime wedges. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Serving: 8g | Calories: 571kcal
Course: Appetizer
Keyword: nacho, nachos, shrimp nachos
Servings: 8
Calories: 571

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