This low-carb twist on a classic snack swaps out traditional tortilla chips for roasted cauliflower florets. But don’t worry – you won’t miss the chips. Loaded with all the classic nacho toppings like seasoned ground beef, melty Tex-Mex cheese, and zesty jalapeños, these cauliflower nachos are loaded with flavor!
Okay, confession time: I have a serious love affair with nachos. Whether it's a cozy movie night at home or hosting friends for game day, I think nachos are pretty much always a good idea.
But, sometimes I want to indulge without feeling like I need a nap afterward, you know? Enter these Cauliflower Nachos! Swapping out the tortilla chips for cauliflower florets makes this dish low-carb and way healthier.
Trust me, this is one of those recipes that makes you forget you’re eating vegetables. The cauliflower gets all crispy and golden in the oven, creating the perfect base for all that glorious cheese and toppings. It's basically a guilt-free way to eat nachos—and who doesn't want that?
These Cauliflower Nachos are:
- Low-Carb: Swap out the tortilla chips for cauliflower and enjoy all the flavors of nachos without the extra carbs.
- Easy to Make: With just 20 minutes of prep time, this dish comes together quickly for a satisfying snack or meal.
- Customizable: You can easily swap ingredients to suit your taste or dietary needs. Vegetarian? No problem! Just leave out the ground beef.
- Perfect for Sharing: This is a great dish to serve up for tailgate parties, casual gatherings, or just a fun family dinner.
- Versatile: Enjoy as a snack, appetizer, or main dish. The possibilities are endless!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Cauliflower: This humble veggie stands in for chips, offering a low-carb, high-fiber base. If you're not a fan of cauliflower, you could try using broccoli florets or even zucchini slices as an alternative.
Taco Seasoning: Use a good quality taco seasoning for all that classic nacho flavor. Feel free to adjust to your spice preference or use a homemade blend like my Homemade Mexican Seasoning.
Lean Ground Beef: You can substitute with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option, or use black beans or crumbled tofu for a vegetarian version. This low carb Mexican shredded chicken would be a great addition!
Bell Pepper: Adds a pop of color and crunch. Red, yellow, or orange bell peppers work great here, but green peppers will also do the trick.
Pickled Jalapeños & Black Olives: These give the nachos a zesty, briny kick. Adjust the amount of jalapeños to control the heat, or skip them if you prefer a milder spice level.
Shredded Mexican Cheeses: Feel free to use cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a mix of both. Or you can substitute a dairy-free cheese alternative if needed.
Avocado, Fresh Jalapeño, & Parsley: The avocado adds creaminess, the fresh jalapeño offers an extra kick, and parsley gives a burst of color. Cilantro or green onions can also be great garnishes!
Helpful Tips for Perfect Cauliflower Nachos
Cut Cauliflower into Bite-Sized Pieces: To mimic the size of tortilla chips, chop your cauliflower into small, bite sized florets. This helps them cook evenly and makes it easier to scoop up all those delicious toppings.
Don’t Skimp on Roasting Time: Roasting the cauliflower until it's golden and slightly crispy is key to getting that satisfying crunch. If it's not quite there after 15 minutes, give it a few more minutes in the oven.
Use a Hot Oven: The high heat (425°F) ensures that the cauliflower roasts rather than steams, which helps develop those crispy edges. So don't be tempted to skip the preheating on this one.
Layer Your Toppings: Start with the cauliflower and ground beef as the base layer, then add the cheese, then all of your other toppings. This method ensures the cheese melts evenly and binds everything together.
Serve Immediately: These nachos are best enjoyed fresh out of the oven when the cheese is melty and the cauliflower is warm and toasty. It does not keep very well – so eat up!
Variations to Try
Vegetarian Cauliflower Nachos
Skip the ground beef and add black beans, pinto beans, or crumbled tofu seasoned with taco spices. You can even make your own walnut taco “meat” if you're feeling extra ambitious.
Loaded Cauliflower Nachos
Go all out and add extra toppings like diced tomatoes, red onions, corn, or even a drizzle of hot sauce for added heat.
Breakfast Cauliflower Nachos
Swap the ground beef for scrambled eggs and add some cooked bacon bits. Perfect for a fun weekend brunch idea!
More Low Carb Ideas
If you love these cauliflower nachos, be sure to check out these other tasty recipes:
Cauliflower Nachos
These Cauliflower Nachos has all the traditional nacho toppings and are loaded with flavor, but low-carb and way healthier.
Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower, cut into florets
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3-4 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- ½ cup sliced black olives
- ½ cup sliced pickled jalapenos
- 2 cups shredded Mexican cheeses, such as cheddar or Monterey Jack
- 1 medium avocado, diced
- 1 fresh jalapeno, sliced (optional)
- 2 tablespoons minced parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place the cauliflower florets onto the prepared baking baking sheet. drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with half the taco seasoning.
- Roast the cauliflower for 15 minutes
- Meanwhile, brown the ground beef in a medium skillet over medium high heat with the remaining taco seasoning.
- Once the cauliflower has started to soften, stir then top with the ground beef, bell pepper, pickled jalapeno, black olives, and shredded cheese.
- Return to the oven for 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling.
- Remove and top with the avocado, jalapeno, and parsley. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Information
Yield 6 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 511Total Fat 35gSaturated Fat 14gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 17gCholesterol 117mgSodium 1070mgCarbohydrates 14gFiber 6gSugar 4gProtein 36g
Nutritional information for this recipe is provided as a courtesy and is my best approximation. I cannot guarantee completely accurate data due to variations in ingredients and cooking methods. Carbohydrates from sugar alcohols are not included in net carb counts as it has been shown that they do not impact blood sugar. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.
