These nachos are a meal in and of themselves. You can prepare them nachos-style, or serve them like a multi-layer dip, with baked tortilla chips on the side. The recipe makes plenty of cheese sauce, so you may have leftovers; try this versatile sauce on potatoes, with raw or cooked vegetables, and added to cooked whole grains and legumes.

Recipe from the Forks Meal Planner. (Sign up now to receive weekly fast and easy recipes, a shopping list and weekend prep instructions!)

By Julieanna Hever,

Ingredients

  • 8 corn tortillas
  • CHEESE SAUCE
  • ½ cup raw cashews, soaked in warm water for at least 10 minutes and drained
  • 1 tablespoon tahini
  • 1 roasted red pepper (from the jar), roughly chopped (½ cup)
  • ¼ cup nutritional yeast flakes
  • 1½ tsp. reduced-sodium tamari sauce (or Bragg's Liquid Aminos or low-sodium soy sauce)
  • Zest and juice of 1 lemon
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • ¼ cup water
  • BEAN DIP
  • 1 (16-ounce) can oil-free refried beans or canned pinto beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 cup prepared salsa
  • 1½ teaspoons chili powder
  • GARNISHES (optional)
  • 1 avocado, diced
  • ½ cup prepared salsa
  • ½ cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped (parsley or lettuce can substitute)

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Cut the tortillas into bite-size triangles. Place tortilla triangles on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, until crisp.
  • In a blender, combine cashews, tahini, roasted red pepper, nutritional yeast, tamari, lemon zest and juice, cayenne, and water. Blend on high until smooth, and set aside.
  • In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the beans, salsa, and chili powder, and stir gently. Once the beans are smooth warmed through, turn off heat.
  • To assemble nachos-style: Place the baked chips on a platter, then top each with some of the beans and cheese sauce. Garnish with avocado, salsa, and cilantro. To assemble as a layered dip: Layer the cheese sauce over the bean mixture in a shallow bowl or baking dish, and garnish with avocado, salsa, and cilantro. Serve with the baked tortilla chips for dipping.
Nutritional Information:

Per serving (¼ of recipe): 406 calories, 60.7 g carbohydrates, 19 g protein, 12.7 g total fat, 2.3 g saturated fat, 0 g cholesterol, 603 mg sodium, 15.4 g fiber, 5.6 g sugar

Note: Nutritional information is provided as an estimate only.

Comments (5)

(5 from 5 votes)

Recipe Rating

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Christy H

We call this “birthday dip” or “once a year” dip in our household as I only make it on special occasions and my children and guests alike LoVE it. I quadruple the batch and it is still gone within a few days. I layer bean mix, cilantro, “cheese”, then homemade guacamole with the avocado seed on top to keep the guac green and not turn brown, using a glass dish to appreciate the layers.

Tom

Not great. The tortilla chips came out super chewy. The bean dip part is good. I would use it for other recipes. I used the FOK "queso," which was terrible.

Cathy

We make this often. Great party dish - even meat lovers like it!

Kari

Great! My kids and husband loved this recipe. We layered it and served guacamole on the side.

MamaS223

Delish! Even my kids ate it!

About the Author

Headshot of Julieanna Hever, RD

About the Author

Julieanna Hever

Julieanna Hever is author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Plant-Based Nutrition, columnist for VegNews magazine, and a special consultant to Forks Over Knives. Hever is also a nationally sought-out speaker and was featured on The Dr. Oz Show. For updates from Hever, visit PlantBasedDietitian.com and follow her on Facebook and Instagram.
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