How to Make Vegetarian Nachos – A Quick And Easy Recipe

Who doesn’t love Nachos? Whether you’re at a sporting event, a party, or just hanging out with your friends, there’s nothing better than a plate of warm, crispy nachos. Nachos are the ultimate party food, but it’s harder to find satisfaction when you’re a vegetarian.

Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll show you how to make vegetarian nachos quickly and easily, and this recipe will make everyone in the house happy! 

Vegetarian nachos are a classic appetizer. They go great with drinks at parties, and they are a simple and fun dinner that comes with added health benefits.

Vegetarian Nachos Recipe

If you are a vegan or trying to cut out meat from your diet, then these vegetarian nachos are a delicious and fun way to spice up your next meal. They’re also quick and easy to make.

Here’s the recipe that you can make at home!

For the Toppings:

  • ½ cup of chopped red bell pepper
  • ½ cup of chopped green bell pepper
  • ½ cup of thinly sliced red onion
  • 1 Tomato (chopped)
  • ½ cup of cooked black beans
  • Black olives to garnish

Chipotle Sauce:

  • 1 cup cashews (soaked for 10-15 minutes)
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • 2 tbsp of nutritional yeast (optional)
  • 2 tbsp lime juice
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup water
  • 2 tbsp of Tabasco or hot sauce

Cheese sauce:

  • ½ cup of cashews
  • ½ tsp of garlic powder
  • ½ tsp of onion powder
  • Pinch of pink salt
  • Pinch of pepper
  • 3 tbsps of olive oil
  • ½ cup of water
  • ½ tsp of nutritional yeast

Instructions:

To make these vegetarian nachos, follow the ‌instructions below.

  1. First, spread the tortilla chips on a baking tray.
  2. Take the red and green bell pepper, chop them finely, and spread them over the tortillas.  
  3. Dice the onion and tomato and spread over the chips. 
  4. Take the beans and olives and spread them on top.
  5. To prepare the chipotle sauce, blend cashews, half a cup of water, a pinch of salt, and hot sauce.
  6. In the same blender, add ½ cup of cashews,½ cup of water, half a tablespoon of nutritional yeast,½ teaspoon of onion and garlic powder, a pinch of salt, and pepper, a drizzle of olive oil, and blend to create a cheese sauce.
  7. Cover the tortillas and veggies in cheese and bake until the cheese is melted.
  8. Add fresh cilantro on top to garnish.
  9. Serve with the chipotle and cheese sauces on top or on the side for dipping.

Alternatives for Chipotle Sauce:

You can replace the chipotle sauce with any of the following:

  1. Hot sauce or tabasco sauce
  2. Beans 
  3. Vegetables
  4. Cheese 
  5. Meat for non-vegans
  6. You can make tomato-based sauce by combining canned tomato paste, a pinch of cumin, chili powder, and some garlic powder.

Preserve the Crispiness of Your Nachos:

Vegans can add breadcrumbs or cheese between the nachos and any sauces or other toppings and bake them in the oven for a few minutes. Cheese or breadcrumbs act as a buffer between tortilla chips and toppings and prevent them from getting soggy.

FAQs

Where did nachos originate?

Nacho’s originated in a small town in Mexico called Piedras Negras in 1943. The word nachos comes from the name of the chef: Ignacio Anaya, whose nickname was “Nacho.” 

One day, Nacho was in the restaurant when a group of U.S. military wives came in to eat. Nacho was alone and the cook was nowhere to be found, but he didn’t refuse the customer. Instead, he ducked into the kitchen and prepared a new dish with the only ingredients he could find. 

He fried the tortilla chips and topped them with sliced jalapenos and grated cheese. He served it to the ladies with the name: “Nachos Especiales.” This unique recipe swiftly spread and now is famous around the globe.

Nachos have a crunchy texture and salty flavor with cheese and jalapenos usually on top, which enhances the taste. Nowadays, nachos come with many different toppings like sour cream, olives, salsa, beans, chicken, beef, and much more.

Are nachos healthy?

These vegetarian nachos are a healthier choice, not only because each serving contains about 306 calories but the veggie-packed nachos also make up for a filling snack. 

Vegetables contain vitamins and nutrients that are good for your health and if you are worried about the fat content of cheese, it is entirely your choice whether to add it or not. 

The other great thing about nachos is that you are in control of the recipe. You can customize the toppings based on your personal taste and ingredient availability. Since it is a one-pot meal, you don’t need to clean up the entire kitchen or spend a whole day in preparation.

How do I plan a nachos meal for kids?

If you are planning to prepare vegetable nachos for kids, consider skipping on the hot sauce and red chili flakes to make them less spicy. Alternatively, you can add some sweet corn and other sweet vegetables to make the recipe more attractive to children.

Are nachos gluten-free?

This is another common question that people may have because of a gluten allergy or a personal preference. The simple answer is “yes, they can be gluten-free.” All you have to do is to check the packaging of the tortillas to ensure they don’t contain any gluten.

Final Thoughts

All it takes is a few simple ingredients and you can make this Mexican classic at home. They’re not just for the meat-eaters anymore. These crispy cheese-topped treats are a perfect party appetizer or a meal. 

They are not only going to add more flavor to your party menu but the crunch and savoriness are sure to satisfy your cravings. 

Nachos are one of those foods you can never get tired of. They are cheesy, crunchy, salty, and best of all—easy to make. When you want something quick and easy, there’s nothing better.

Brett White
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