9 Best Canned Cheese for Nachos
Nachos are so good!
You can make an appetizer, a snack, or an entire meal out of nachos and they are almost always a crowd pleaser. Sometimes making nachos can be quite the chore, depending on how fancy you want to get with your cheese and toppings.
Why not save yourself some time and just use canned cheese for nachos when you are in the nacho making mood?
Use the canned cheese, toss the can, and no one will ever be the wiser! In fact, you might find that you like the canned cheese just as much or more than making it on your own. It’s so convenient as well!
What is the best canned cheese for nachos? The best canned cheese for nachos should be easy to warm and spread so it can cover the chips well. You will want a high-quality cheese made with quality ingredients that still has a “real” cheese flavor.
In this guide, we will share with you the 9 best canned cheeses for nachos. We’ve done our best to find the best brands out there. Our hope is that we can help you choose a great option without having to do time-consuming research of your own.
Stick with us to learn the 9 best canned cheeses for nachos and more!
How to Choose Canned Cheese for Nachos
Before we start diving into our top picks of canned cheese options, let’s talk just a little bit about things that can be helpful in making a decision.
There are some specific qualities that you may want to keep in mind and we certainly used these while we narrowed down the lists.
If you take these tips into consideration, you are sure to get the very best cheese for your nachos. You really can’t go wrong with any of them that we picked out for you.
Personal Preference
Okay, this one may be a little obvious.
One of the first things that you should consider is your personal preferences. This is important to make sure you actually get the best cheese for you. We all have different flavor preferences.
Maybe you like your nacho cheese to be on the spicy side or maybe you prefer to keep it mild.
Maybe you like white cheese more than yellow nacho cheese.
We made every effort to provide a variety of options here so that you can hopefully find something that will fit into your personal preferences.
We sure don’t want you to end up with a canned cheese that doesn’t meet your personal taste preferences so don’t forget to keep this in mind while you make a selection.
Thickness
Canned cheese for nachos should be the perfect blend of thickness. You want it to be thick and scoopable so it won’t just be runny over your nachos and all fall into the plate or bowl that you are using.
At the same time, you don’t want the cheese to be so thick that it is hard to work with or spread over your nachos. It should be liquid enough to spread over your meal or snack and look decadently delicious.
Most of the time, canned cheese is used as a topping or a dip so try to find a happy medium as far as thickness goes so that your cheese will work well for you.
The thickness you need could possibly depend on how you plan to serve your nachos. For example, if you are serving as a dip, you probably don’t want it to be quite as thick. If you are serving as a topping, you want a happy medium between thick and runny.
Additional Ingredients
The ingredients in your nacho cheese might be something to pay attention to.
The reason is that some companies will throw in all sorts of unnecessary ingredients. This is nacho cheese so you can expect to see things like jalapeños, Mexican seasoning, pimiento, and peppers.
You obviously would expect to see some dairy compilation. You might see seasonings.
But be sure to take a look at the ingredient label to make sure there are no harmful additives or additives used for fillers that really don’t have any value for the cheese.
Size
One thing you will notice as you look through the options we found is that there are several size options. From single serving cups to giant 6-pound cans, you are bound to have cheese for days!
Be sure to check out the can sizes and get what works for you. It is very common to find these in bulk sizes because they spread far and work well for gatherings and parties and even concessions.
The good news is that you can typically store the cheese if you don’t use it all. This type of cheese can be frozen and preserved for later use.
The Best Canned Cheeses for Nachos
Now we get to the heart of the matter. We took all of this information and went on a search to find you the very best. Our goal was to provide you with a variety of quality options and provide you with choices so you can pick out which one will be best for you.
So here are our top picks:
| Rank | Product | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Rosarita Nacho Cheese Sauce | Mild with hint of spice, 6lb 10oz |
| 2. | Chef Mate ¡Que Bueno! Nacho Cheese Sauce | Zesty, 6lb 10oz |
| 3. | La Preferida Nacho Cheese Sauce | Mild, gluten-free, 15oz |
| 4. | Tostitos Salsa Con Queso | Medium heat, 15oz |
| 5. | Chef Mate ¡Que Bueno! White Queso Sauce | Mild, white/yellow cheese, 6lb 10oz |
| 6. | FUNacho Nacho Cheese Single Serve Cups | Mild zest, 48 individual servings |
| 7. | Rico’s Gourmet Nacho Cheese Sauce | Mild/plain, 6lb 10oz |
| 8. | Faraon Nacho Cheese | Mild, 15oz (12pk) |
| 9. | Trenton Farms Nacho Cheese Sauce | Mild, 6lb |
Below, you will find our top picks for the best canned cheese for nachos with complete reviews to help you pick out a canned cheese for your next round of nachos.
1. Rosarita Nacho Cheese Sauce
This first option is our top pick overall. Rosarita is a well-known brand when it comes to items you can use for making Mexican food and this cheese sauce is among the best. The nacho cheese is highly-rated across the board and one of the top picks that we could find.
These are large cans of nacho cheese so you will have plenty of cheese to serve plenty of people. If you don’t need these huge cans all at one time, you can always save or freeze leftover cheese until you are ready to use it. With 6 of these huge cans, you will have plenty of cheese to last you awhile.
The ingredient list has typical cheese items and also includes chili peppers, jalapeño peppers, and some seasoning.
It’s not the best as far as totally natural but the majority of ingredients used are for preservation or creation purposes. The sodium content is not awful considering this is a canned cheese.
You can easily heat up this cheese in the microwave and it is great for both dipping and topping. It has just that right consistency overall to be useful and versatile.
Pros:
- Perfect consistency for any kind of nachos
- Trusted brand
- Bulk order of 6 extra-large cans
- Easy to heat and use
- Good mild flavor with just a hint of spice
Cons:
- This is not very thick so if you prefer thick this is not for you.
- Quality control issues seem to be a problem with packing and shipping and many end up with dented cans.
2. Chef Mate ¡Que Bueno! Nacho Cheese Sauce
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This next option is another really great choice. This nacho cheese sauce will make some of the best simple nachos you can ask for. The sauce is slightly thick and very creamy and has just a hint of zest.
The ingredients on this option are pretty similar. It has heart cheddar cheese and then gives you that small bit of zest with jalapeños, green chilies, tomatoes, peppers, and spice. The flavor is just right if you like just a small kick with really good overall flavor.
This canned cheese has 0 grams of trans fat in it, which is always nice. This cheese is cooked before it is canned in order to really perfect the flavor and avoid you struggling with issues like canned flavor or scorching.
You can microwave the cheese or heat it however you prefer and your nachos will be delicious.
Pros:
- Works well as a dip or a topping
- Cooked prior to being canned to perfect the flavor
- Made with real cheddar cheeses
- Contains no trans fat
- Perfect hint of zest to the flavor
Cons:
- You can only purchase the bulk 6-pound cans.
- Cheese tends to clump up quickly.
3. La Preferida Nacho Cheese Sauce
Maybe you just want some small cans of nacho cheese to have on hand, rather than large cans. These simple 15 ounce cans are well-made and another highly-rated canned nacho cheese for you to take a look at. You can purchase the 15-ounce cans in a pack of 3, 6, or 15 so you can have plenty in your pantry for your needs.
This is ready to use nacho cheese with a zesty flavor. It is also gluten-free, which gives this particular cheese a nice advantage.
In fact, it is only 70 calories per serving! This nacho cheese is creamy and smooth. It has a good consistency that works for dip or topping uses and you can easily mix it with other things like tomatoes, meat, or jalapeños.
This particularly canned nacho cheese is made in cans with a BPA-free lining. They come ready to simply heat and serve so you don’t have to worry about cooking the sauce for preparation.
This is flavored with some jalapeño and spice to give it zest and you can add more to your taste preferences.
Pros:
- Zesty cheese sauce flavor
- Consistency works for dips or toppings
- Gluten-free cheese sauce
- Ready to simply heat up and use
- Comes in smaller can options
Cons:
- The flavor is mild but can easily be spiced up with peppers and flavors.
4. Tostitos Salsa Con Queso
This one comes in a jar instead of a can but it really is the same concept. You won’t want to pass up this Tostitos brand queso with a hearty flavor. This is a simple option that comes in a 15-ounce container, sealed with a lid much like a canned option. It’s affordable and delicious.
This brand is made with real cheese, which is definitely a bonus from some of the canned options. It does have salsa-type ingredients added so you get some robust flavor with medium heat and it’s perfect for dips or toppings.
The sodium content is pretty low here and the calorie content is even better. The ingredient list isn’t bad and we see the addition of things like red bell peppers, chili peppers, diced tomatoes, and jalapeños for that delicious salsa and cheese combination.
Pros:
- Robust salsa queso flavor with medium heat
- Easy to use as a topping or dip
- Comes in a glass jar and is still canned
- Ready to heat and use
- Made with real cheese
Cons:
- The cheese may become a bit watery as it sits.
5. Chef Mate ¡Que Bueno! White Queso Sauce
If you like white queso, then this option is just for you! There is something different in the flavor of white and yellow cheese sauce and this white cheese is absolutely delicious for nachos. It’s well-made and another highly-rated option across the board.
This comes in a bulk extra-large 6-pound can. The flavor is a hint of aged white cheddar with green chilies and jalapeños for a bit of zest to the flavor. This cheese is cooked and prepared before canning, so it is ready to simply heat up and use.
This cheese has a good ingredient list. There are no artificial flavors or colors added, which is uncommon with canned nacho cheese. They use real aged white cheddar to make this cheese and it has good flavor without being too spicy
There are also 0 grams of trans fat per serving, which is always a nice boost and means you can enjoy so much more, right?
Pros:
- White canned cheese option
- Creamy cheese that is great for dipping and works for topping
- Added flavor of jalapeño and green chilies
- Cooked before canned and ready to use
- No artificial flavors or colors added
Cons:
- Very mild flavor and you may need to add seasoning. It does have a spice presence already.
- This cheese is on the thick side and sometimes tends to chunk up a bit.
6. FUNacho Nacho Cheese Single Serve Cups
This next one is really FUN, much like the name suggests. You get single serving nacho cheese cups that you can dip into or use for topping when you need a quick nacho cheese option. These are in simple packages and you get 48 single serve cups that you can use whenever or however you need.
These are pretty highly-rated across the board. They have good flavor and they are so versatile. You can warm them up but they also taste great cold if you aren’t able to heat them up where you are. The ingredients are simple with typical canned cheese ingredients as well as some jalapeño for a bit of zest as well.
This nacho cheese sauce is made in the USA. They really are pretty fun. These have good portion sizes and are relatively low calorie for what they are. We love that these are simple and convenient and the quality is there too.
Pros:
- Single serving nacho cheese cups
- Good flavor with reasonable ingredients
- Can be used hot or cold
- Made in the USA
- Convenient and simple solution
Cons:
- The little cups cannot be microwaved so you may have to pour it in a bowl to heat up.
- Fairly high sodium content for the serving size.
7. Rico’s Gourmet Nacho Cheese Sauce
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This one has been a popular canned nacho cheese for many years. It has a good medium flavor that has just a little zest to it without being spicy and also has good overall flavor. This brand has been used for concession stand nachos for a very long time and it continues to be a popular choice.
This is a bulk-sized can that is 6 pounds and 10 ounces in weight. It has plenty to serve up for gatherings and you can easily save leftovers in the freezer if you don’t use the entire can. This cheese is so easy to use because it’s ready to go. You just heat it up and then use it as a topping or a dip.
The ingredient list is reasonable and even better than some comparisons. They do not use real cheddar like some do. They add jalapeño peppers for a little bit of flavor and they seem to have the recipe down quite well to meet that sweet spot.
Pros:
- Made for bulk use
- Good flavor with just a slight hint of spice
- Easy to use, just need to heat
- Quality brand that has been used in concession stands for years
- You can freeze any leftovers
Cons:
- The flavor is so simple it may seem downright bland if you don’t add flavors or seasoning to it.
8. Faraon Nacho Cheese
Here is a simple nacho cheese that is highly-rated across the board. You get a pack of 12 and these are simple 15-ounce cans so you don’t have to worry about having a bunch of leftover cheese from a giant can and then have to figure out what to do with all that cheese!
This is fully-cooked cheese so it is ready for you to simply heat up and serve however you like with your nachos. It is a nice, creamy consistency so it works well as a topping or a dip. The flavor is mild with just a hint of spice to it.
A single can is able to serve about 7 people. The sodium content is reasonable and the calorie content is also reasonable, which is always a plus.
The ingredients list is comparable to most other canned cheeses we have shared. The flavor includes jalapeño peppers but remains mild overall.
Pros:
- Simple can with good flavor
- Fully cooked and ready to use
- Reasonable sodium and calorie content
- Regular-sized cans in a pack of 12
- Good balance of spice and flavor
Cons:
- There doesn’t appear to be a lot of quality control with shipping; you may receive dented cans.
9. Trenton Farms Nacho Cheese Sauce
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This last one that we leave you with is a good option to wrap up our top picks for canned cheeses for nachos. This one is flavorful and robust, made in the USA from a family-owned and operated company. It is another bulk-size can but remember you can freeze leftovers if needed.
This sauce is made to be slightly spicy with a salsa de queso style recipe that is robust and flavorful. They make the sauce with 100% real cheese and add yellow jalapeños as well as green chilies for flavor and spice.
This company cooks the cheese before canning so it is ready to go, you just need to heat it and prepare it to your liking. This is a creamy cheese sauce so it works well for both dipping and topping purposes. The ingredient list is well-made and better even than some options out there.
Pros:
- Made with 100% real cheese
- Added jalapeños and green chilies for a touch of spice
- Bulk-size can
- Made in the USA from a family-owned company
- Low calorie and reasonable sodium content
Cons:
- This cheese has definite spice compared to most canned cheeses so be aware of that.
- The cheese flavor is slightly weak while the spice is strong.
Other Things to Make with Canned Cheese
There are plenty of ways to use any leftover nacho cheese. The obvious use is to make nachos but if you have leftover cheese or you just want to try something different, you can consider some of these options.
- Smothered Chicken
- Lasagna
- Make your own Dip
- Baked potatoes
- Chili cheese tater tots
- Enchiladas
- Quesadillas
- Burgers
This is not an all-inclusive list but it is just meant to give you some inspiration for using your cheese.
Up Next: The Best Ways to Reheat Nacho Cheese
