Best Vegetarian Sheet Pan Meatless Nachos Recipe
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Looking for the ultimate party snack? This Meatless Nachos Recipe is a favorite for game days and movie nights!
Loaded with beans, shredded cheese, and homemade fresh tomato salsa, these vegetarian sheet pan nachos are an explosion of flavors that everyone will love.
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While you may prefer to skip to the recipe card, we suggest reading the entire blog post to avoid missing valuable tips and substitution suggestions and to ensure you have the necessary ingredients, equipment, and understanding of the steps and timings.
Meatless Nachos Recipe
Get ready to satisfy your nacho cravings with our mouthwatering meatless nachos recipe.
We are big fans of Tex-Mex and Mexican cuisine on The Purple Pumpkin Blog, and these homemade nachos are quick, easy, and loaded with flavor!
This easy vegetarian nachos recipe is on the table in less than 30 minutes, which means easy entertaining and more time with your friends and family!
Whether you’re hosting a game day gathering or planning a Cinco de Mayo celebration, vegetarian nachos are a great choice for plant-based and meat-eaters alike.
The Best Nachos!
These loaded nachos are made with a single layer of crispy tortilla chips and a delicious combination of beans and melty cheddar cheese.
What sets these meatless nachos apart is the vibrant array of toppings that elevate the flavor profile.
Each bite offers a burst of flavor, with fresh toppings, including fresh tomato salsa and slices of black olives to tangy sour cream.
These vegetarian nachos will surely become one of your favorite go-to recipes for gatherings or satisfy your craving for delicious Tex-Mex cuisine.
Pair the loaded veggie nachos recipe with one of our Unique Margarita Recipes (my personal favorite is a Jalapeño Cantaloupe Margarita), and for a sweet dessert, a slice of Mexican Sweet Corn Cake with Cinnamon Churro Icing.
What Can I Serve With Vegetarian Nachos?
- Sweetcorn & Black Bean Salad: A refreshing salad with black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, red onions, and Tabasco. Pairs well with corn chips.
- Loaded Mexican Street Corn: Grilled or roasted corn on the cob, brushed with a mixture of mayonnaise, lime juice, and taco spices
- Guacamole: A classic and creamy avocado dip made with mashed avocados, red onion, jalapeños, and lime juice. Serve it on top of the nachos for a creamy and flavorful accompaniment.
- Watermelon & Cantaloupe Melon Pico de Gallo: Adds a vibrant and tangy element to your nachos.
- Mexican Rice: A flavorful side dish that complements the nachos and adds a filling element to the meal.
Ingredients & Equipment Used In This Recipe
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Ingredients Needed For This Meatless Nachos Recipe
- Fresh Produce – Sweet Corn Kernels, Scallions (Spring Onions/Green Onions), Parsley
- Chilled & Dairy – Cheddar Cheese, Sour Cream
- Tortilla Chips
- Canned Beans – Use your favorite kinds of beans—black beans, red kidney beans, pinto beans, or a combination.
- Fresh Tomato Salsa – buy this ready-made or use our recipe to make your own.
- Black Olives
The complete list of ingredients with measurements is on the recipe card at the end of this post.
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Equipment Needed For This Recipe
- Large Baking Sheet
- Parchment Paper – also known as baking paper or greaseproof paper.
- Sharp Knife
- Chopping/Cutting Board
The Purple Pumpkin Blog uses both cups and weighted measurements in its recipes, making American cups and kitchen food scales valuable tools for trying all the recipes. We provide US customary, imperial, and metric measurements. Still, it’s important to note that while you can combine cup measurements with weighted measures, never mix US customary/imperial (pounds, ounces, pints, etc.) with metric (kilograms, grams, liters, etc.).
Reasons You’ll Love Meat-Free Nachos
- The versatile recipe allows you to add or substitute toppings according to your preference. If you like loads of cheese, add more. Want extra protein? Add some crumbled smoked tofu. Don’t like sour cream? Try Greek yogurt instead.
- Nacho recipes are incredibly easy to make, with minimal prep and cook time.
- Combining crispy tortilla chips, melty cheeses, and your favorite salsa creates a perfect balance of flavors that will satisfy any nacho lover!
- The easy nachos can be enjoyed as a shared appetizer or a main dish
Dinner Party Menu Suggestions
You’ve made the appetizer (or the main dish), but what about the rest of the courses?
Here are great options to create a menu for a dinner party or special meal:
- Another Appetizer: Black Bean Salsa Cups
- Soup: Gazpacho
- Salad: Mexican Chopped Salad
- Another Main Dish: Slow Cooker Charro Beans
- Side Dish: Cilantro Lime Rice
- Cocktail: Texas Margaritas
- Dessert: Mango Lime Frozen Yogurt
How Do I Make Meatless Nachos?
The printable recipe card with the ingredients list and instructions can be found at the end of this post.
Number of Servings: 6-8
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 25 minutes
Step 1 – Preheat & Prep: Preheat the oven to 375°F/190°C/Gas 5. Line a rimmed baking sheet with a piece of parchment paper.
Step 2 – Cook the Nachos: Place the tortilla chips on the prepared baking sheet and evenly top with beans and cheese. If desired, lightly season with salt and pepper.
Bake the nachos in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes until the cheese melts and is bubbly.
Step 3 – Add Toppings: Remove the nachos from the oven and top them with homemade salsa, sour cream, corn olives, scallions, and parsley. Serve family-style and enjoy!
More Recipes Using Beans
One of the hero ingredients in this recipe is beans, so here are some more using the same:
Recipe Tips
- For extra flavor, season the beans with chili powder, garlic powder, and a squeeze of lime juice before layering them on the nachos.
- Use parchment paper to line the baking sheet for easy cleanup and to prevent the nachos from sticking.
- To make vegan nachos replace the cheddar cheese with dairy-free alternatives like vegan shredded cheese or nutritional yeast. Swap the sour cream with vegan sour cream or vegan plain yogurt.
- You can customize your nachos by adding your favorite toppings like diced red bell pepper, sliced spring onions, or even avocado crema for a touch of indulgence.
Storing Leftovers & Freezing
- Storing Leftovers:
- Store any leftover nachos in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 1-2 days.
- To reheat, spread the nachos in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes or until heated through.
- Freezing Instructions:
- Nachos are not suitable for freezing.
- With all leftovers, ensure the food looks and smells okay before consuming.
- You can always consult the Food Standards Agency in your country for the most up-to-date advice on storing and freezing foods: Food Standards Agency (UK) | Food Safety (USA).
Printable Meatless Nachos Recipe Card
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7-Layer Meatless Nachos
Discover your new favorite meatless nachos recipe! A scrumptious snack packed with the goodness of beans, salsa, and olives.
Ingredients
- 10 oz (300g) bag tortilla chips
- 1 (14-oz/400g) can beans, rinsed and drained*
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup salsa
- ¾ cup sour cream
- ½ cup sweet corn kernels
- ½ cup black olives, sliced
- 3 scallions, thinly sliced
- ½ cup fresh parsley, roughly chopped
- Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 375°F/190°C/Gas 5. Line a rimmed baking sheet with a piece of parchment paper.
Place the tortilla chips on the prepared baking sheet and evenly top with beans and cheese. If desired, lightly season with salt and pepper.
Bake the nachos for 10-15 minutes until the cheese melts and is bubbly.
Remove the nachos from the oven and top them with homemade salsa, sour cream, corn, olives, scallions, and parsley. Serve family-style and enjoy!
Notes
*Use your favorite beans in this recipe, such as kidney beans, black beans, or pinto beans
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 179Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 27mgSodium: 553mgCarbohydrates: 16gFiber: 3gSugar: 5gProtein: 7g
This site uses Nutritionix to provide estimated nutrition. Nutritional information is always approximate and will depend on the quality of ingredients used and serving sizes. If you need exact calories and macros, please do your own calculations.
More Vegetarian Recipes
Looking for more vegetarian dishes to make? Check these recipes out next:
FAQs About Nachos
Here are some questions people often ask about making meatless nachos.
Click the question to read the answer. If you have one of your own, please comment on this post.
Several veggies go well with nachos, adding both flavor and texture.
Some popular choices include diced tomatoes, sliced jalapeños, chopped bell peppers, raw onions (red or green), black olives, corn kernels, and diced avocado.
You can also consider adding fresh cilantro or lime juice for added freshness.
You can add plenty of other delicious toppings to your nachos.
Some popular options include refried beans, black beans, seasoned ground beef, shredded chicken, or plant-based alternatives, nacho cheese sauce, sour cream, guacamole, salsa, and pickled onions. If you like spicy food, add some hot sauce or jalapeños.
You can customize your nachos with your favorite things to your taste and dietary preferences.
Nachos can become soggy when they are loaded with too many wet ingredients or when they are left sitting for too long.
It’s best to layer your ingredients evenly and avoid adding too many liquid-based toppings to prevent sogginess.
Additionally, you can try baking your nachos at a higher temperature for a shorter duration to keep them crispy.
The best way to serve nacho is hot.
But there is often a contrast between the warm components like melted cheese, beans, meat, and/or vegetables and cold toppings like Pico de Gallo, sour cream, and fresh herbs.
In most cases, the appeal of nachos comes from the contrast between the warm, melted components and the cool, refreshing toppings.
Cold nachos are less common and may not provide the same satisfying texture and flavor experience as hot nachos.
However, there are variations like Nacho Salad or Nacho Bowls, where some ingredients might be served cold, like fresh vegetables, salsa, or sour cream, with corn chips.
The secret to achieving crispy nachos is properly layering the ingredients and controlling the cooking time.
Start by layering a single layer of tortilla chips on a baking sheet or large skillet, then add a moderate amount of toppings evenly over the chips.
Avoid overloading the nachos with toppings, as this can lead to sogginess.
Bake them at a high temperature—around 400 degrees F (200°C)—for a shorter period, typically 8-10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the edges of the chips turn golden brown.
The best cheeses for melting on nachos typically have a good melting quality and a rich flavor.
Common choices include cheddar cheeses, Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or a combination of these.
You can also experiment with other melting cheeses like queso blanco or pepper jack for a unique twist.
Shredded cheese usually melts more evenly than sliced cheese.
Nachos are best enjoyed immediately after preparation, as reheating can lead to sogginess.
However, if you have leftover nachos, you can reheat them in the oven or toaster oven to revive some of the crispiness.
Spread them out on a baking sheet and bake at a high temperature for a short time, around 5-7 minutes, until they become warm and slightly crispy again.
Keep in mind that the texture may not be as perfect as when they were freshly made.
Yes, you can air fry leftover nachos to reheat them and regain some of the crunchiness.
Preheat your air fryer to around 375°F (190°C) and spread out the nachos in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
Air fry them for a few minutes until they are heated through and crispy.
Keep an eye on them to avoid burning, as cooking times can vary depending on the thickness of the nachos.
Yes, nachos can absolutely be enjoyed as a snack.
They are a versatile and popular snack choice, often served at parties, sports events, or as a casual appetizer.
However, adding additional toppings like protein, beans, or veggies can also become a more substantial meal.
Nachos offer a satisfying and flavorful option, whether as a snack or a meal. And, of course, they are perfect for a nacho night with a bottle of beer or margarita!
Many love nachos due to their combination of flavors, textures, and versatility.
The crispy tortilla chips satisfy the crunch, while the melted cheese adds creaminess and richness.
The variety of toppings allows for endless customization to suit individual tastes.
Nachos also unite people as a communal and fun dish, perfect for sharing with friends and family.