In poutine nachos, what replaces cheddar cheese?

In poutine nachos, cheese curds replace the cheddar cheese.

Poutine nachos combine the structure of nachos with ingredients associated with poutine. Instead of relying on the shredded cheddar commonly used on many nacho plates, this variation uses cheese curds and gravy. The curds provide a springy, distinct texture, while gravy adds moisture and savory flavor that ordinary nacho cheese does not provide.

This is a variation rather than the traditional form of either dish. Classic nachos are built around tortilla chips, cheese, and often jalapeños. Traditional poutine consists of french fries topped with cheese curds and gravy. Poutine nachos transpose the poutine toppings onto tortilla chips, preserving the nacho base while borrowing the defining curds-and-gravy combination.

The substitution also helps distinguish poutine nachos from ordinary loaded nachos. Other toppings may vary by recipe, but the defining idea is the replacement of cheddar with cheese curds, usually alongside gravy. The result is still classified as nachos because tortilla chips remain the base.