Nachos for Dinner: Surprising Sheet Pan Meals the Whole Family Will Love

by Dan Whalen

Crispy Base + Melty Sauce + Flavorful Topping = Nachos make a perfect sheet pan dinner! It’s like a dream come true! First, because you now have an invitation to eat a plate of nachos as a real meal, and second, because here are dozens and dozens of recipes and ideas to transform this beloved snack into a nourishing sheet pan dinner. Plus dessert. Written by the irrepressible Dan Whalen, Nachos for Dinner combines the mad-genius spirit of his previous books, ‘Smores and Tots!, with the practical brilliance of Sheet Pan Suppers. First Whalen breaks down the nacho’s intrinsic appeal to its three essential components—a crispy base, a melty sauce, and a flavorful topper. And then he gives you the three flavor profiles—a lot of umami, a little heat, and something bright-tasting, whether pickled or fresh. From there the world is your nacho plate. Of course there’s the chips-and-cheese classic, but then the nachos veer decidedly into dinner, with favorites from every part of the meal from French Onion Nachos, Buffalo Chicken Nachos, and Cobb Salad Nachos to Fish Taco Nachos, Banh Mi Nachos, and Shrimp and Grits Nachos. And there are plenty of not-chos (that is, nachos that use other ingredients for the chips)—like Lasagnachos, Scallion Pancake Nachos, and Pretzel and Brat'chos. Even Apple Pie Nachos for dessert.

• ISBN10: 152351048X
• ISBN13: 9781523510481
• Publish Date: 11 January 2022
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: Workman Publishing
• Imprint: Workman Adult
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 160
• Language: English

Reviews

[annieb123]

Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Nachos for Dinner is a cool collection of sheet pan recipes developed and curated by Dan Whalen. Due out 11th Jan 2022 from Workman Publishing, it's 160 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

I liked this book's layout. It begins with an introduction covering tools and supplies and a little history including the different ingredients (most will already be on hand) and also staples to keep on hand (ditto - they'll be available in a well stocked kitchen).
The recipes are arranged thematically: basic nachos (including homemade tortilla chips!), soups salads &appetizers, sandwiches & tacos (nachofied), comfort food, and brunches & midnight snacks. Each recipe includes serving yields, special notes, variations, and tips, and prep times. Recipe ingredients are listed in a bullet style in a sidebar along with optional ingredients. All measurements are given in American standard measures only (there is a measurement conversion table included in the back of the book). The directions are given step by step, numbered sequentially. The nutritional information is not provided.

The photography is not abundant. Roughly 15-20% of the dishes are accompanied by photos. All the serving suggestions are attractive and appropriate and the food is styled and presented very well. (I just wish there were more photos).

The recipes' ingredients are easily sourced and the resultant dishes are family friendly and appealing to kids and adults. For cooks who are living alone or couples, very many of the included recipes are freezer friendly and could be scaled up or down easily. There are a number of these which will become staples for my family. The salsas and sauces especially have a lot of versatility for other types of dishes than just nachos and would be great as sides and marinades.

Four stars. Timesaving, nutritious, and tasty.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.