Recipe: Loaded Black Bean Nachos
Serves4 to 6
Allow me to introduce you to the most satisfying way to eat a bag of chips for dinner: loaded black bean nachos. While this version is based on the beloved party snack — with salted tortilla chips, gooey melted cheese, salsa, and jalapeños in the mix — it’s heartier and leans hard on wholesome toppings, like smashed black beans, tangy Greek yogurt, and guacamole, to make it meal-worthy.
A Template for Nachos for Dinner
When it comes to loading up a tray of nachos, the secret to success is having a great template, rather than a recipe. It can be broken down into three key parts: the tortilla chips, beans, and toppings.
Tortilla Chips + Beans + Toppings
Get this part down and you can start customizing it based on your mood or whatever beans are lingering in the pantry or veggies in the crisper.
Beans Make It a Meal
A couple cans of protein-packed black beans are the key to turning this crowd-pleasing snack into a meal with substance. Mixed into a pan with softened red onion, garlic, and a medley of spices, the beans are smashed and quickly cooked down into a mixture that’s just the right balance of smooth and chunky.
This recipe takes a strategic approach to assembly, building the tray of nachos in layers, so you can be sure you’re getting a big bite of beans with every chip.
Weeknight Veggie Dinners
Ready to help your family eat even more veggies? Of course you are. Us too! This week we’re sharing family-friendly vegetarian recipes that will show you the ease and versatility of including a meat-free night in your meal plan. These dinners are easy to pull together on busy weeknights and will satisfy adults and kids alike.
Loaded Black Bean Nachos
Serves 4 to 6
Nutritional Info
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon
olive oil
- 1/2
medium red onion, diced
- 2 cloves
garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon
ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon
chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon
kosher salt
- 2
(15-ounce) cans black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 cup
water
- 1
(8-ounce) bag tortilla chips, divided
- 2 cup
grated cheddar cheese or Monterey Jack cheese (about 8 ounces), divided
- 1 cup
pico de gallo, divided
- 3
medium scallions, greens part only, thinly sliced, divided
- 1/2 cup
pickled jalapeños (optional)
- 1 cup
plain Greek yogurt
- 1 cup
guacamole
Instructions
Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 400°F.
Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat until shimmering. Add the onion, garlic, cumin, chili powder, and salt. Stir to coat with the oil, and cook, stirring occasionally until soft, about 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, mash the beans in a large bowl with a fork, keeping them a little chunky. Stir the beans and water into the saucepan. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat.
Spread half of the tortilla chips in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Dollop half of the bean mixture evenly over the chips and sprinkle with half of the cheese. Top with half of the pico de gallo and half of the scallions. Repeat the layers with the remaining tortilla chips, black bean mixture, cheese, and pico de gallo, but do not top with the remaining scallions.
Bake until the cheese is melted and bubbling, about 5 minutes. Top with the remaining scallions, pickled jalapeños (if using), yogurt, and guacamole. Serve immediately.
Recipe Notes
Make ahead: The mashed black beans can be made up to 1 day in advance and stored in a covered container in the refrigerator. Remove from the refrigerator about 15 minutes before preparing the nachos.