Homemade vegetarian nachos: a crunchy, gourmet feast

Entertaining for the Superbowl or Cinco de Mayo? I've got the perfect recipe for you: Homemade Vegetarian Nachos.

It's super easy to make, and comforting. Although this dish is often associated with Mexico, it's not a traditional Mexican dish, but rather one derived from Tex-Mex cuisine.

A little history about Nachos

Nachos are a Tex-Mex-inspired culinary specialty, loved the world over for their simplicity and delicious taste. Here's a glimpse into the fascinating history of nachos:

Nachos take their name from their creator, Ignacio "Nacho" Anaya. In 1943, Ignacio was working as a maître d' at the Victory Club, a restaurant in Piedras Negras, a Mexican border town near Eagle Pass, Texas. One day, a group of American servicemen arrived at the restaurant after closing time. Ignacio, wanting to offer them something to nibble on despite the closed kitchens, improvised using the ingredients available in the kitchen.

Ignacio took pieces of corn tortillas, cut them into triangles, and then topped them with grated cheese. He popped the filled tortillas into the oven until the cheese melted, then added slices of jalapeño for a little spice. The soldiers loved this impromptu creation, and nachos were born!

The name "nachos" is derived from the Spanish diminutive of the first name Ignacio, i.e. "Nacho". The dish quickly became popular in the region, then gained fame throughout Texas and the rest of the United States.

Over the years, nachos have evolved to include a variety of toppings, including salsa, beans, ground meat, sour cream, guacamole and more. Today, nachos are served in many Mexican, American and international restaurants, and are often enjoyed at sports nights, parties or simply as a gourmet treat to share with friends.

Nachos remain a classic example of how culinary creativity can be born out of necessity and improvisation, transforming simple ingredients into an iconic dish enjoyed the world over.

Nachos variants

There are lots of different ways of making nachos. Here, I propose a vegetarian version of nachos. And in this area alone, you can vary the ingredients, which is why I've included several optional extras in the recipe. I'm sure you'll be able to find others too.

Of course, carnivores can add meat, usually beef or chicken, but sometimes sausage or duck.

Vegans, on the other hand, will opt for vegan cheese for vegan nachos.

Some will use brown gravy and cheese curds for a "nachos poutine" (or would that be a poutine nachos?).

For the more adventurous, you can even try your hand at a nacho recipe for the dessert. There's something for everyone!

Get cooking!

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