Make these Vegetarian Nachos For Two next time you need a flexible snack or quick dinner. Tortilla chips are layered with refried beans, salsa, melty cheese, and lots of veggies. This recipe makes the perfect amount for a date night or small get-togethers!
Everybody loves nachos!
But not everyone loves to struggle through a giant platter. That’s why I’ve created these Vegetarian Nachos for Two! It’s the perfect amount of food for you and a friend or for small get-togethers.
I can’t even begin to describe how much I love nachos. The combination of chips, melty cheese, spicy jalapenos, and veggies to top it off is irresistible. Better yet, it’s a low-maintenance option for dinner that doesn’t require a trip to the grocery store and will please almost anyone.
I’ve included only simple ingredients in this vegetarian nacho recipe with a few tips to help the flavors pop. You can use any of your favorite toppings, chips, salsa, or cheese to please you and your friends.
Where did nachos come from?
Just like quesadillas and tacos, nachos originated in Mexico. They were first made in 1943 by simply melting cheese over top of freshly made tortilla chips. Nachos have since turned into so much more after all of these years, taking on a ton of different flavors and spice levels.
Nachos are delicious as a quick snack or a satisfying meal no matter how you mix them up. Customize your nacho platter with a variety of meats, cheeses, and beans, or simplify the recipe using your favorite salsa and shredded cheese.
Nacho ingredients
Classic vegetarian nachos need simple, easy ingredients. I’ve included a few tips to help make this party snack even more exciting:
Salsa and beans
We’re mixing these two common ingredients together before adding them on top of the chips to play with the flavors. Feel free to use any type of salsa you have at home.
You can either use canned refried beans or make your own! It’s a great ingredient to keep in your fridge and can be used in a variety of Mexican or Tex-Mex dishes.
Melty cheese
They aren’t nachos without melted cheese! Pepper jack cheese is my favorite because it’s a little spicy, melts flawlessly, and is super creamy. Sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack are two other great choices that will melt nicely on nachos.
Feeling saucy? Double up the cheese by adding queso on top of the nachos after pulling them out of the oven.
Nacho toppings
The true beauty of nachos is that you can add whatever makes you happy. Layer on all of your favorites or add whatever you have at home. You can clean out your fridge and make a nacho platter at the same time - win-win!
My favorite toppings are jalapenos, green onion, tomatoes, and avocado. Drizzle on some sauce at the end, whether it’s extra cheese sauce, plain lime juice, crema, or sour cream with lime juice like I’ve done in this recipe.
Vegetarian nachos with meat
Looking to add some meat to your vegetarian nachos? Use a soy chorizo or an imitation ground meat to maintain their vegetarian label. Add a little flair by stirring in chili, cumin, or cayenne powder to the meat alternative before adding them on top of the chips.
Alternatively, use the real thing! Fry up some ground beef or rotisserie chicken for loaded nachos for two.
How to make this recipe
These step-by-step instructions show you how to make delicious vegetarian nachos for two:
Step 1: Set your oven to broil. Spread the chips in an even layer on a parchment-lined quarter baking sheet. Set aside. Stir the beans and salsa together in a small bowl until uniform.
Step 2: Sprinkle half of the cheese onto the chips. Spoon the bean and salsa mixture on top of the first layer of cheese.
Step 3: Top the nachos with the remaining cheese and green onions.
Step 4: Broil until the cheese is melty, bubbly, and browned around the edges, about 10 minutes. While the nachos cook, stir together the sour cream and lime juice until uniform.
Step 5: Once the nachos are done, drizzle them with the lime sour cream and top with avocado, tomatoes, and jalapenos. Enjoy while hot!
Vegetarian nachos are best enjoyed hot out of the oven while sipping on a fresh grapefruit Paloma.
Tips for the best nachos ever
Make your own chips
Heck ya, you can make your own nacho chips! It’s surprisingly easy and you only need three ingredients. Follow this guide and make your own chips out of corn tortillas.
Layer them however you like
There is no wrong way to layer nachos. My favorite way is to lay out the chips, add half of the cheese, add the beans and toppings, and finish it off with the rest of the cheese. This way there is no shortage of tasty toppings sandwiched between melted cheese in every bite.
Mix up the beans
Vegetarian nachos with beans are filling and satisfying, no matter the type of bean. You can swap the refried beans for cooked black beans, pinto beans, lentils, or a combination of all three.
More topping suggestions
Need to satisfy more than your own cravings with these nachos? Try adding more toppings like roasted corn, bell peppers, onion, black olives, salsa verde, pulled pork, barbeque jackfruit, or chicken breast.
Broiling vs. baking
We’re using a broiler to cook the nachos because this recipe has only one layer of chips, cheese, and toppings. The layer of cheese will melt and cook evenly in just 10 minutes. Save yourself some time and melt the cheese faster using a broiler.
Baking nachos in the oven is the way to go when cooking a larger batch with multiple layers. This way, the cheese melts on every level and will cook the nachos evenly.
Recommended kitchen tools
The best (and only) tool for this two-person nacho recipe is quarter sheet pans. Using this size of a pan will help the nacho chips and toppings stay in a uniform layer and cook evenly in the oven. Plus, you can serve them right on the sheet pan!
Time to cook!
Okay, friend! It's your turn to put together your own small batch of nachos! I can't wait to see what you come up with. When you make them, snap a pic and share with me by tagging @cupofzest so I can see how ya did!
Vegetarian Nachos for Two
Ingredients
- 4 ounces tortilla chips about 4 ½ cups
- 4 ounces pepper jack cheese, grated about 1 ¼ cups
- ½ cup refried beans
- ¼ cup salsa
- 1 green onion, chopped about ¼ cup
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon lime juice about ½ lime
- ½ avocado, chopped
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes, chopped
- ¼ cup pickled jalapenos
- cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Set oven to broil and line a quarter sheet pan with parchment paper.
- Spread chips in an even layer on the baking sheet.
- Evenly sprinkle with half of the cheese.
- Stir beans and salsa together until uniform, and spoon on top of the first layer of cheese.
- Top with remaining cheese and green onions.
- Broil until the cheese is melty, bubbly, and browned around the edges, about 8 minutes.
- While the nachos cook, stir together the sour cream and lime juice until uniform.
- Once the nachos are done, drizzle with the lime sour cream, and top with avocado, tomatoes, and pickled jalapenos. Top with cilantro if you like!
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