You're in for a real treat! š Why we love this Nacho recipe:
1) It's a Healthy-ish alternative to processed cheese and high-fat meats in regular Nachos. (You're still eating a Lot of tortilla chips here, so it's not 100% healthy, but still better than other options! š)
2) I was able to modify the original recipe from 90 minutes down to 45-60 minutes! ā°
3) Unlike most dairy-free cheese recipes, this does Not use soaked cashews! So if you have IBS and/or get (ahem) painful-gassy from cashews but still want something cheesy, this is for YOU.Ā Ā
Hubby gives it a 5/5 ā
NachoMamaās Queso - VegWithMandy.com
Queso makes enough for 2 trays of nachos, feeding 2 hungry people, each. šĀ Done in ~45 mins or less.
IF thereās only 2 of you, save leftover queso and tomorrow: Make a new tray of Nachos, -OR- pour leftover queso on cooked macaroni noodles with some drained kidney beans for a healthy āChili macā.Ā
Preheat oven to 350F
First, the Queso -In a medium saucepan, prepare enough instant mashed potatoes for 2 servings, replacing water/butter with vegetable broth/Olive oil, respectively.
Specifically:
2/3 c. vegetable broth, boiled. Then remove from heat and add:
1Tbsp olive oil
2/3 c. potato flakesĀ
1/4 c. unsweetened almond milk
Let cool a moment.
In blender, add:
Prepared instant mashed potatoes (above)
1/4 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 clove garlic, minced
1/2 Tbsp soy sauce, low sodium
1/2 Tbsp lime juice, freshly squeezed
1/4 c. Nutritional yeast
1/2 c. water
2 Tbsp carrot baby food (yep! Just make sure the only ingredient is carrots)Ā
If blender āchokesā thin with another ~ 1/4 c. unsweetened almond milk*
Pour in a bowl and add.Ā
4-5 Tbsp Rotel, drained but liquid saved!
2 Tbsp Rotel liquid
Stir and set aside.
Next, the āmeatā. In a saute pan on medium low, add
~1-2 tsp olive oil
8 oz tempeh (plain), first crumbled a few seconds in food processor (optional)
Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā -OR- 1 can black beans, low sodium, drained/rinsed, slightly mashed (optional)
1/2 taco seasoning packet, low sodium
~1/4 c. water to make seasoning stick
Stir well, Warm in pan x 2-3 min.
Next, Assemble your Nachos, yay!
On 1 baking sheet (2 sheets if serving 4 people) lined with:Ā
aluminum foil, and lightly sprayed with
Olive oil cooking spray, Layer as follows:
Tortilla chips
Prepared NachoMamaās Queso (above)
Prepared Tempeh taco meat (above)
Repeat, making sure all chips get a little bit of the queso love.
Bake at 350F x 8-10 minutes, checking halfway through.
On top of baked Nachos, add:
Beefsteak tomato, dicedĀ
Avocado, diced
Enjoy! <3
Notes: *The queso will get thinner once you add Rotel liquid, so donāt overdo it!
Gather Ingredients
Make Instant Mashed Potatoes
After blending mashed potatoes with additional ingredients, pour in bowl and add Rotel to your liking; Stir.