Cheese Nachos Recipe Vegetarian: Easy & Delicious Snack

Updated On: October 7, 2025

Cheese nachos are a classic crowd-pleaser that bring together the perfect combination of crunchy tortilla chips and gooey, melted cheese. Whether you’re hosting a casual get-together or just craving a delicious snack, this vegetarian cheese nachos recipe is easy to whip up and endlessly customizable.

The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity—just a handful of fresh ingredients, a quick assembly, and you have a plate of warm, cheesy goodness ready to enjoy. Plus, being vegetarian-friendly means it’s suitable for many dietary preferences without sacrificing any flavor.

In this recipe, we’ll show you how to create the ultimate vegetarian cheese nachos using fresh veggies and a blend of cheeses that melt beautifully. From layering techniques to tips on toppings and variations, you’ll learn everything you need to make this classic appetizer your new favorite.

So grab your chips, get your cheese ready, and let’s dive into making some irresistible cheese nachos!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This cheese nachos recipe is a fantastic mix of comfort food and wholesome ingredients. It’s quick to prepare, requiring minimal cooking skills yet delivering maximum flavor.

The combination of melted cheese and crispy chips makes every bite satisfyingly crunchy and creamy.

What’s more, this recipe is entirely vegetarian and can be easily adapted to suit vegan diets by swapping the cheese. It’s perfect for sharing at parties, game nights, or simply as a cozy treat after a long day.

Best of all, you can customize the toppings to suit your taste, adding everything from fresh salsa and jalapeños to creamy guacamole or sour cream.

Whether you’re a seasoned nacho lover or trying it for the first time, this recipe offers a delicious, accessible way to enjoy a classic snack with a fresh twist.

Ingredients

  • 200g tortilla chips (choose your favorite brand or homemade)
  • 150g shredded cheddar cheese (sharp or mild, based on preference)
  • 100g shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 1 small red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 small green bell pepper, diced
  • 1 small red onion, finely chopped
  • 1 jalapeño pepper, thinly sliced (optional for heat)
  • 100g canned black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 100g sweet corn kernels, fresh or canned
  • 100g diced tomatoes (fresh or canned)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • Optional toppings: sour cream, guacamole, salsa, sliced olives, chopped green onions

Equipment

  • Baking tray or oven-safe dish
  • Mixing bowl
  • Grater for shredding cheese (if not pre-shredded)
  • Knife and chopping board
  • Oven or toaster oven
  • Spoon for spreading and layering ingredients
  • Serving plate

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). This ensures your nachos bake evenly and cheese melts perfectly.
  2. Prepare your vegetables: Dice the red and green bell peppers, finely chop the red onion, slice the jalapeño (if using), and chop the cilantro. Set aside.
  3. Mix the black beans and corn: In a mixing bowl, combine the rinsed black beans and corn with the ground cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Toss gently to coat the beans and corn with spices.
  4. Layer the chips: Arrange half of the tortilla chips evenly on your baking tray or oven-safe dish, making sure they cover the bottom but do not overlap too much.
  5. Add toppings: Sprinkle half of the diced bell peppers, onions, spiced black beans and corn mixture, and tomatoes over the chips.
  6. Cheese time: Generously sprinkle half of the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses over the toppings. The cheese helps bind everything together.
  7. Repeat layers: Add the remaining tortilla chips on top, followed by the rest of the vegetables, beans, and cheese.
  8. Bake: Place the tray in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and starting to turn golden.
  9. Add fresh toppings: After baking, scatter the fresh cilantro and sliced jalapeños (if desired) on top. Optionally add dollops of sour cream, guacamole, or salsa.
  10. Serve immediately: Nachos are best enjoyed fresh and hot. Use a spatula to serve portions onto plates.

Tips & Variations

For the crispiest nachos, avoid overcrowding the chips on your tray. Spread them out in a single layer for even cheese coverage and prevent sogginess.

You can customize this vegetarian cheese nachos recipe in many ways. Try adding sautéed mushrooms or zucchini for extra veggies.

For a spicy kick, add pickled jalapeños or hot sauce after baking.

If you want to make it vegan, substitute the cheese with a plant-based alternative and skip sour cream or use a vegan version. For a smoky flavor boost, try adding chipotle powder with the cumin and paprika.

Another great addition is black olives or sliced avocado after baking, which add richness and texture contrast.

Nutrition Facts

Nutrient Amount per serving (approx.)
Calories 350 kcal
Protein 15g
Fat 18g
Carbohydrates 30g
Fiber 6g
Sodium 450mg

Serving Suggestions

Cheese nachos make a perfect appetizer or snack, but they can also be part of a larger meal. Serve them with a side of fresh salsa, guacamole, or a crisp green salad to add freshness and balance to the richness of the cheese.

For a heartier meal, pair them with vegetarian chili or a bowl of warm soup.

Looking for more recipes to complement your cheese nachos? Check out our flavorful Thelma Sanders Squash Recipe for a veggie-packed side, or try the comforting Bariatric Meatloaf Recipe (vegetarian versions available).

Don’t forget to spice things up with a tangy twist from the Pickled Cherry Pepper Recipe as a topping or side condiment!

Conclusion

Our vegetarian cheese nachos recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that’s easy, quick, and delicious. It strikes the perfect balance between crunchy and cheesy while offering plenty of room for customization.

Whether you’re preparing a snack for friends, a family movie night treat, or a festive appetizer, these nachos hit the spot every time.

With fresh vegetables, flavorful spices, and a blend of cheeses that melt beautifully, this dish is as satisfying as it is simple. Plus, it’s a versatile recipe that suits many dietary preferences and can be easily adapted for vegan or gluten-free diets.

Next time you want a fuss-free, tasty snack, remember this recipe—and maybe pair it with some of our other delightful dishes for a complete meal experience!

📖 Recipe Card: Cheese Nachos Recipe Vegetarian

Description: A delicious and easy-to-make vegetarian cheese nachos recipe perfect for snacking or parties. Loaded with melted cheese, beans, and fresh toppings for a satisfying treat.

Prep Time: PT10M
Cook Time: PT10M
Total Time: PT20M

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 200g tortilla chips
  • 150g shredded cheddar cheese
  • 100g black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 medium tomato, diced
  • 1/4 cup sliced jalapeños
  • 1/4 cup chopped red onion
  • 1/4 cup sliced black olives
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup guacamole

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).
  2. Spread tortilla chips evenly on a baking sheet.
  3. Sprinkle black beans evenly over the chips.
  4. Add shredded cheddar cheese over the chips and beans.
  5. Top with diced tomato, jalapeños, red onion, and olives.
  6. Bake for 8-10 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
  7. Remove from oven and sprinkle with fresh cilantro.
  8. Serve immediately with sour cream and guacamole on the side.

Nutrition: Calories: 350 kcal | Protein: 15 g | Fat: 18 g | Carbs: 35 g

{“@context”: “https://schema.org/”, “@type”: “Recipe”, “name”: “Cheese Nachos Recipe Vegetarian”, “image”: [], “author”: {“@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “GluttonLv”}, “description”: “A delicious and easy-to-make vegetarian cheese nachos recipe perfect for snacking or parties. Loaded with melted cheese, beans, and fresh toppings for a satisfying treat.”, “prepTime”: “PT10M”, “cookTime”: “PT10M”, “totalTime”: “PT20M”, “recipeYield”: “4 servings”, “recipeIngredient”: [“200g tortilla chips”, “150g shredded cheddar cheese”, “100g black beans, drained and rinsed”, “1 medium tomato, diced”, “1/4 cup sliced jalape\u00f1os”, “1/4 cup chopped red onion”, “1/4 cup sliced black olives”, “2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro”, “1/2 cup sour cream”, “1/2 cup guacamole”], “recipeInstructions”: [{“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Preheat oven to 180\u00b0C (350\u00b0F).”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Spread tortilla chips evenly on a baking sheet.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Sprinkle black beans evenly over the chips.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add shredded cheddar cheese over the chips and beans.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Top with diced tomato, jalape\u00f1os, red onion, and olives.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Bake for 8-10 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Remove from oven and sprinkle with fresh cilantro.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Serve immediately with sour cream and guacamole on the side.”}], “nutrition”: {“calories”: “350 kcal”, “proteinContent”: “15 g”, “fatContent”: “18 g”, “carbohydrateContent”: “35 g”}}

Photo of author

Marta K

Leave a Comment

X