The idea is pretty simple. Take roasted cauliflower, which I already love on its own, and top it with taco meat, cheese, and all of your other favorite nacho toppings. Genius! I just took it a step further by making it vegan, for an entirely plant-based meal. (I saw this original idea on Delish.com.) This variation is topped with a dairy-free cheese sauce adapted from my Healthy Queso recipe. I didn’t want this meal to feel too nut-heavy, so I lightened up the walnut “meat” portion of it by adding fresh carrots to the mix. I love adding walnuts to my meals, because they are loaded with antioxidants that are thought to reduce inflammation and boost heart health. In one review of 31 trials, people who included extra nuts in their diets lost 1.4 more pounds and lost an extra half-inch off their waist circumference. (source) It’s also nice that both toppings can be whipped up in just about 15 minutes, while your cauliflower is roasting to perfection.
These aren’t exactly the type of nacho you’ll want to pick up with your fingers, but I don’t think you’ll mind grabbing a fork and digging in. I nearly ate the whole pan the first time I tried them– but perhaps you’ll want to share? I wouldn’t make any promises.
Notes: As always, please leave a comment below if you try a substitution with this recipe. I haven’t tried this recipe using other nuts or seeds yet, but if you need a nut-free cheese sauce I’d recommend checking out my Sweet Potato Cheese Sauce as a nut-free alternative. I hope you enjoy it! — Reader Feedback: What other favorite game-day snacks or junk food favorites need a healthy makeover?
