Loaded Veggie Nachos are topped with a spicy vegan taco meat made from a blend of walnuts and mushrooms. They're hearty and flavorful, with a dose of fibre, protein and healthy fats. Perfect for weekend snacking or even dinner!
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*This post was originally published in April 2018. It has been updated with new photos and text, including helpful tips for readers. The recipe remains the same.
Table of contents
Loaded veggie nachos
If you're anything like my husband, you're going to be a bit skeptical as I start to describe these nachos. That's because they aren't vegetarian in the sense that they're loaded with lots of lentils, black beans or chick peas (although that would be super delicious too).
No, these nachos are actually loaded with a spicy walnut and mushroom mixture that resembles the taste and texture of ground beef.
Seriously, I was even skeptical when I started making these a few years ago, but I was pleasantly surprised by how delicious and convincing walnuts and mushrooms can be as taco meat. And my husband is now completely sold on it too!
Details on a few ingredients
- Walnuts: It's best to use raw walnuts in this recipe - so avoid roasted and salted. I went with walnut halves, but you can also use walnut pieces. If you only have chopped walnuts, I suggest blitzing the mushrooms in your food processor first and then just stirring in the walnuts.
- Mushrooms: While the recipe calls for cremini mushrooms, you can also use bella or white mushrooms. Just make sure they are firm and well cleaned. I usually cut the mushrooms in half before adding them to the food processor, but avoid cutting them into smaller pieces as they blitz up faster than the walnuts and the mixture gets mushy.
- Veggie toppings: For these nachos, I added red and orange peppers and corn, but you can use other veggies and plant-based toppings such as green peppers, green onions, radishes, tomatoes, jalapeños, black beans or pinto beans.
- Tortilla chips: You can use store-bought or homemade tortilla chips. If using store-bought, I usually go for unsalted corn tortilla chips. But you can use whatever kind and brand you like. You can also use homemade tortilla chips such as these air fryer tortilla chips (the recipe includes five different flavor options)!
How to make this vegetarian nachos recipe
Making the taco 'meat'
Pre-heat some oil in a large skillet over medium-heat.
Place your walnuts and mushrooms in a food processor and pulse a few times until the mixture is crumbly.
Add the mixture to your skillet and stir in chopped red onion, chopped jalapeño pepper, lime juice and a mix of salt and spices (detailed in the recipe card).
Cook on medium-low until the onions and peppers have softened (about 7-8 minutes).
Assembling and baking the nachos
Arrange your tortilla chips on a baking sheet or in a cast iron skillet and top with the faux taco meat.
Add the veggies and cheese on top.
Bake on 400F for 10 minutes or until the cheese has melted.
Serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
Go for cheeses that melt well. Cheddar and Monterey Jack are common choices, and we also enjoy mozzarella. I actually like to use a mix of cheeses, and while I normally go for light cheese, full fat cheese tends to melt better.
Absolutely! This is easy to do since the taco 'meat' is already vegan. Just use vegan cheese shreds in place of the dairy cheese.
Not necessarily. It depends on your toppings and chips. While these nachos are topped with plant-based protein, they are still high in calories. If you don't need these nachos to be vegetarian, lean meats such as ground chicken or turkey are a great choice. I also like to load mine up with extra veggies and limit the amount of cheese. You can also go for no salt added or low sodium chips for a healthier option.
Just spread out the leftover nachos on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper and bake on 350F until heated through and crispy.
What to serve with nachos
- You can't go wrong with guacamole, salsa and sour cream.
- Cashew queso is always delicious, as is this jalapeño dip or chipotle dip.
- And you can always get adventurous and add some vegan chili to the top of your nachos before serving.
Recipe tips and substitutions
- To avoid mushy taco 'meat', try not to cut your mushrooms too small or over-process the walnut/mushroom mixture.
- I like to prepare these nachos in a cast iron skillet, and you can do this in two different ways. You can create multiple layers of chips and toppings, which ensures most of the chips are covered in toppings. Or you can bake all the toppings in your skillet, and then use the chips to scoop it out.
- You can also make these nachos in a more traditional way by spreading the tortilla chips out on a sheet pan and loading on the toppings.
- While I love these nachos with homemade corn tortilla chips, if you want crispier nachos, I suggest using thick cut store-bought tortilla chips that can withstand lots of toppings.
More nachos, tacos and fajitas
- Pulled Pork Breakfast Nachos
- Taco Cups with Ground Turkey
- Air Fryer Fish Tacos
- Ground Beef Fajitas
- Air Fryer Nachos
If you make this recipe, I'd love to hear what you think in the comments below!
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Vegan taco meat recipe inspired by Pinch of Yum's Cauliflower Walnut Taco Meat.
📖 Recipe
Loaded Veggie Nachos (with Vegan Taco Meat)
Ingredients
For the vegan taco meat:
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cups raw walnuts, halves or pieces
- 2 cups cremini mushrooms, sliced in half
- ½ medium-sized red onion, diced
- ½ jalapeño pepper, seeded and diced
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
For the nachos:
- 8 cups no salt added corn tortilla chips
- ½ cup chopped red and orange peppers
- ½ cup cooked corn
- ½ cup shredded cheese, mix of cheddar, mozzarella and Monterey Jack
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 400F and line an oven safe skillet or baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Pre-heat the oil in another large skillet over medium heat. (Ensure the oil coats the bottom of the pan).
- Add the walnuts and mushrooms to a food processor and pulse a few times until the mixture is crumbly.
- Add the walnut/mushroom mixture to the pre-heated skillet and stir in the onion, jalapeño, lime juice, spices and salt.
- Cook on medium-low until the onions and peppers have softened (about 7-8 minutes). Stir frequently to ensure the mixture doesn't burn onto the skillet.
- Arrange tortilla chips in the prepared skillet or pan, and top with the taco meat, veggies and cheese (see notes).
- Bake for 10 minutes or until the cheese has melted. Serve immediately.
Notes
- While the recipe calls for cremini mushrooms, you can also use bella or white mushrooms.
- To avoid mushy taco 'meat', try not to cut your mushrooms too small or over-process the walnut/mushroom mixture.
- I like to prepare these nachos in a cast iron skillet, and you can do this in two different ways. You can create multiple layers of chips and toppings, which ensures most of the chips are covered in toppings. Or you can bake all the toppings in your skillet, and then use the chips to scoop it out.
- You can also make these nachos in a more traditional way by spreading the tortilla chips out on a sheet pan and loading on the toppings.
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Enter your email address and I'll send it straight to your inbox. You'll also receive new recipes from me regularly!
Nutrition Facts per Serving
Disclaimer
Nutrition information is an estimate only and will vary depending on the substitutions made and the brands used.
Did you make this recipe or have any questions?
I love reading your comments and addressing your questions, so please leave your comments and ratings or questions below!
Kelly | Foodtasia says
That is so clever!! I can't imagine how it would seem like meat, but it really does look like ground beef! So cool!! And of course nachos are an all time favorite of mine - YUM!
Leanne says
Thanks Kelly! It's spicy so you can't really taste the mushrooms or walnuts that much. And yes, nachos are always a fave around here too!
Tasia ~ two sugar bugs says
First Leanne, the photos are STUNNING! I would love a big plate of these nachos!! My husband would totally be suspicious of this combo as well, so I'm just going to make them and not tell him!
Leanne says
Haha! Thank you Tasia! I'd be interested to know if your husband could tell the difference!
Haylie / Our Balanced Bowl says
Leanne, this is my perfect idea of snack food!!! I’ve been wanting to get on the meatless taco meat train for a while..looks so delicious! And just like you, I love ALL of the toppings!!
Leanne says
Thanks Haylie! Nachos are always a fun snack!
Katerina | Once a Foodie says
Oh my goodness, these loaded nachos look absolutely stunning! I like the idea of a spicy walnut and mushroom mixture as a substitute for meat - I can't wait to give these a try. And yes, we're working hard to define our weekends too - it's getting harder and harder though!
Leanne says
I agree with you Katerina. It's getting harder to differentiate between the weekdays and weekend. Hope you get to try these nachos soon!
Alex @ It's Not Complicated Recipes says
Nachos are one of my favourite meats without a doubt - and these look so yummy! (I am so hungry now!!)
I love all mushrooms as a meat substitute - SO tasty, Leanne!
Leanne says
We love them for a meal too. Thanks Alex!
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen says
I'm famished reading through this post. I LOVE nachos! And I'm so intrigued by the vegan taco meat. I can't wait to try these!
Leanne says
Thanks so much Kelsie!
Katherine | Love In My Oven says
I cannot wait to make these Leanne!! Your pictures look FANTASTIC - literally mouth-watering. We love snacking on Friday and Saturday nights too, they're my favorite way to spend the weekend night (social distancing or not). Sign me up for a big plate of these!
Leanne says
Thanks Katherine! We're the same way. It's our fave way to spend weekend nights!
Marissa says
I'm a sucker for nachos and these look amazing, Leanne! I'm so intrigued by your vegan taco meat - love the ingredients. Truly excited to try this!!
Leanne says
Thanks Marissa! Hope you get a chance to make them!
Kim | The Baking ChocolaTess says
These look so amazing Leanne! I want these like now!! YUM!
Leanne says
Thanks Kim! They make a great weekend snack!
Codrut I Increderea in Sine says
I think I only ate veggie nachos once years ago... I cannot wait to try these again, thanks for the recipe! 🙂
Leanne says
Veggies nachos are my go-to. Hope you like them Codrut!
MDIVADOMESTICA says
I love that you found a resources and fun way to use those mushrooms! Lots of times the best ideas come out of necessity (or scrounging in the cupboard).
The nachos look amazing and you would be hard pressed to find anyone who could resist them.
Leanne says
Thanks so much! It's so true. Sometimes the best recipe ideas come when you have limited ingredients. And besides, the mushrooms work really well in this recipe! Happy Wednesday!
Ben|Havocinthekitchen says
I'm not a nachos expert (We extremely rarely have it, perhaps once or twice a year), but this skillet sounds looks fantastic! I'm a huge fan of the mushroom-walnut combo, so I'm totally in!
Leanne says
Thanks Ben! Nachos are a treat for us, but I think we'll be eating them a lot more now that my husband is onboard with this vegetarian taco meat! Enjoy the rest of your week!
Lily {Gastro Senses} says
These looks amazing! The combination of the walnuts and mushrooms! DA BOMB! Even better that this is all homemade. Can’t wait to whip up a batch of these!
Leanne says
Thanks so much Lily! Be sure to let me know what you think if you make them!
Ben Myhre says
Interesting combination for the faux beef recipe. Huh... I am going to have to give that a try. One thing that can be really great about Mexican cuisine and vegetarianism is that the flavors can help mask up some of the faux beef. NOT that the ingredients aren't good on their own, but it can be a bit hard to make something that REALLY tastes like ground beef. Even the store-bought stuff, I tend to like getting the 'fiesty' varieties, as they just taste better IMO. And nachos? There are so many other components that make it taste SO good that the beef tends to take a back seat anyway to all the other flavors. This Nacho dish looks great.
Leanne says
Thanks Ben! You're right. The seasoning is definitely what makes this combo work as faux taco meat. The jalapeños and red onion do a great job in helping to disguise the taste of the walnuts and mushrooms. Hope you get a chance to give these nachos a try!
Melissa Griffiths says
Sounds delicious! I'll have to add this walnut/mushroom combo to my meatless Monday rotation!
Leanne says
Thanks Melissa! It's definitely a great addition to meatless Monday! Let me know what you think if you make them!