Is Mexican food your favorite cuisine too? I can’t get enough of the tempting flavors.

These veggie nachos are perfect for Cinco de Mayo or any get-together. You can also serve them as a snack or an entree.

My favorite way to top nachos is with melted, bubbling cheese. Not drowning in nacho cheese that often go cold in three minutes. I love to combine two different kinds of cheese–cheddar to give it a nice sharp flavor, and Monterey Jack because it’s more creamy and gooey.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 6 servings

INGREDIENTS

8 ounces sturdy tortilla chips
1 can (15 ounces) pinto beans, rinsed and drained, or 1 ½ cups cooked pinto beans
1 packed cup (4 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
1 packed cup (4 ounces) shredded Monterey Jack cheese, or additional cheddar
1 medium red bell pepper, finely chopped
⅓ cup crumbled feta cheese
Pickled jalapeños, to taste
Avocado dip, thinned with water until it reaches a drizzly consistency, or guacamole
⅓ cup chopped green onions
2 radishes, chopped
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
Your favorite salsa (here’s my red salsa and salsa verde)

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place handfuls of chips on the baking sheet and distribute evenly, minimizing the gaps between chips. Set aside.

Sprinkle the prepared pan of chips generously and evenly with the beans, followed by the shredded cheese, bell pepper, crumbled feta and pickled jalapeños (use more if you really love jalapeños, less if you don’t). Bake until the cheese is melted and bubbling, about 9 to 13 minutes. Remove the nachos from the oven and set aside.

While the nachos are baking, make the avocado sauce and prepare the garnishes.

Once the nachos are out of the oven, drizzle avocado sauce on top as shown—any extra can be served on the side. (If using guacamole instead, dollop the guacamole over the nachos like polka dots.) Sprinkle the nachos with chopped green onion, radish and cilantro. Serve immediately, with salsa on the side.

NOTES

MAKE IT GLUTEN FREE: Use certified gluten-free tortilla chips (most are gluten-free since they’re made with 100% corn, but double check).