These vegan nachos with black beans and cashew cheese sauce are the ultimate easy family dinner for those weeknights when you’re ready to call in for take-out. It’s a crowd pleasing meal that’s healthy and nutritious while also being mouth watering delicious!

My husband is crazy for nachos, and so are my kids. All I need to do is set this pan of nachos on the counter, turn my back for a moment, and like magic they’ve disappeared, replaced by happy smiling munching faces. Add this easy recipe to your vegan prep meals rotation!

I’m going to be real. Not all the plant-based recipes I make for my family go over well. I always think they’re awesome, but with a family of omnivores who enjoy the traditional American signature recipes, it’s sometimes a challenge to create a recipe that makes everyone happy.

I’ve got my husband who would much prefer real melted cheese, my oldest, who is weird about all cheese, and then my youngest who would be happy to eat every sort of cheese you put in front of him.

Being a plant-based vegan I haven’t had real cheese in years. Compromise is hard to find, but creating a meal like these vegan nachos is one of those recipes I can customize to each family member.

The great thing about these nachos is that my whole family digs the ingredients I include, and when I pour the cashew cheese over the nachos and bake it, they don’t even know it’s not the real thing!! Well, my husband knows, but he’s a good sport. The kids are clueless! Win for mom!!

Why You’ll Love these Vegan Nachos with Black Beans and Cashew Cheese…

Easy Weeknight Meal
Sheet pan recipe for easy clean-up
Family friendly
Crowd pleasing
Less than 30 minutes
Simple pantry ingredients

Ingredients You’ll Need to Make Vegan Nachos

For the Nachos:

1 5 oz bag of Organic tortilla chips
1 15 oz can of organic black beans
1⁄2 cup diced tomatoes
1⁄2 cup diced red pepper
½ cup corn (fresh or frozen)
1⁄2 cup avocado diced
1⁄4 cup cilantro roughly chopped

For the Cashew Cheese:

1 cup raw cashews
2 tablespoons of nutritional yeast
1 tablespoon lemon juice
5 tablespoon water
1 clove of garlic
Pinch of Salt
Pinch of pepper

You only need about ½ cup of the cashew cheese sauce, unless of course you like super cheesy nachos. You can reserve the rest of the cheese sauce to pour over steamed veggies.

Tools and Equipment You’ll Need to Make Vegan Nachos

I love sheet pan recipes because they are quick and easy to make and clean-up. Perfect for a weeknight meal when you don’t want to do dishes!

How to Make Vegan Nachos with Black Beans and Cashew Cheese – Step by Step

Step 1: Preheat oven to 350 F.

Step 2: Make the Cashew Cheese.

Bring a pot of water to a bowl
Place raw cashews in boiling water for 10 minutes
Drain cashews
Add cashews, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, water garlic, salt, and pepper in high speed blender
Blend until smooth

Step 3: Spread tortilla chips on a sheet pan. Drain and rinse canned organic black beans, and spread evenly over chips. Add tomatoes, peppers, and corn. Drizzle cheese on top.

Step 4: Bake for 12 minutes.

Step 5: Remove from oven and add the diced avocado and cilantro on top. Serve with a wedge of lime.

Top Tips for Making Vegan Nachos

This recipe is versatile. Use your favorite veggies to spread over the nachos. You can also use your favorite beans.
Add salsa
Choose baked tortilla chips with low-salt to keep this recipe healthy.
I’ve had trouble finding oil-free tortilla chips to stay true to the whole food plant-based oil free diet, but you can make your own oil-free tortillas!
You’ll only need about ½ cup of cashew cheese for these nachos, although use as much as you want. I reserve the rest of the cashew cheese to pour over steamed veggies!

Are Vegan Nachos with Black Beans and Cashew Cheese healthy?

Plant-Based Ingredients-These nachos use all whole food plant-based ingredients. It’s important to find natural low-salt tortilla chips when making this recipe. I’ve found some good choices at Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s.
High in Plant-Based Protein-These vegan nachos have 13 grams of protein per serving thanks to the black beans and cashew cheese. The cashews in the cheese give this recipe a protein boost.
Low Calorie-These nachos come in at 340 calories per serving. A huge reduction when compared to traditional ground beef nachos with cheese!
High in Fiber-These nachos have nearly 9 grams of fiber per serving thanks to the black beans, and vegetables!

Are tortilla chips vegan?

Most tortilla chips are vegan, but it’s always important to read the ingredient label before buying tortilla chips from the store. Most tortilla chips are made with ground corn meal, water, salt, and oil.

There are so many brands and varieties of tortilla chips on the market. From blue corn, yellow corn, white corn, quinoa, black bean, cauliflower, and so many other varieties. If you’re looking for oil-free, try finding a chip that is baked or make your own. If you need a gluten-free variety look for one that is certified gluten-free. I also suggest buying a tortilla chip that is organic and non-GMO. I like Garden of Eaten (although this brand does use oil).

What do you serve with Vegan Nachos with Black Beans?

I suggest a side salad or steamed veggies to get a few extra servings of veggies in. You can also use the extra cheese sauce to pour over the steamed vegetables.

CHECK-OUT THESE OTHER SOUTHWEST Vegan RECIPES!

If you’ve tried these Vegan Nachos with Black Beans, please rate the recipe and let me know how it turned out. You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest for more vegan plant-based family recipes your whole family will enjoy!

Vegan Nachos with Black Beans