Fiesta Cauliflower with Black Beans and Queso

Fiesta Cauliflower with Black Beans and Queso

These loaded cauliflower nachos are perfect for a Superbowl or game-day appetizer or a festive meal or side dish. If you're looking for healthy (but delicious!) ways to entertain guests for a New Year's eve party or other gathering, make these nachos - and everyone will thank you for something that satisfies their munchies, but nourishes their body! 

Fiesta Cauliflower with Black Beans and Queso

I love events like Superbowl and holidays like Thanksgiving, because it’s basically an excuse to put together a large amount of delicious and beautiful food. From elaborately decorated cookie platters on Christmas to 7-layer dips on Superbowl Sunday, I’m all into the sport of event cooking. I like a thoughtfully planned food presentation, especially when it comes to side dishes, snacks, desserts, and apps.

Fiesta Cauliflower with Black Beans and Queso

I also really appreciate when the host offers at least one veggie-forward dish. This is it – and it does not sacrifice on party flavor!

Naming this dish was difficult – are they nachos? Are they ‘poppers’? In the end, I just went with “cauliflower” because that’s what this is – the cauliflower isn’t “replacing” anything or “pretending” to be anything else – it’s just topped with party (err, fiesta) fixings! I used Siete Foods’ vegan queso dip (not sponsored, I just love all of their products, and I wanted this to be a plant based meal!)

Fiesta Cauliflower with Black Beans and Queso

Black beans, chopped white onions, jalapeños, guacamole, and queso amp up the cauliflower that’s been perfectly spiced and roasted with chili powder. And heck, serve this over brown rice or quinoa and enjoy it as a main meal! If you’re not plant based, add some chipotle chicken or carnitas and make it a burrito bowl!

And may I say, if you’re having people over for or going to a Superbowl party, this will be a for sure touchdown for your guests. See what I did there! Corny or clever?

Nutritional Information & Recipe

Fiesta Cauliflower with Black Beans and Queso

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 large head cauliflower divided into florets
  • olive oil to drizzle
  • salt and pepper
  • chili powder to season (about 1/2 - 1 teaspoon)
  • 1/3 cup quartered cherry tomatoes prepare as cauliflower roasts
  • 2/3 cup rinsed black beans prepare as cauliflower roasts
  • 1/2 cup guacamole prepare as cauliflower roasts
  • 2 tablespoons chopped white onion prepare as cauliflower roasts
  • 1 medium jalapeno sliced into rounds (prepare as cauliflower roasts)
  • 1/3 cup queso dip I used Siete Foods' Mild Nacho Cashew Queso Dip

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Toss the cauliflower in a large baking sheet or dish and toss with olive oil. Season with salt, pepper and chili powder. Roast for 25-30 minutes or until cauliflower is fork tender.
  • Meanwhile, prepare all of your fixings so they're ready when the cauliflower is ready.
  • Once cauliflower is done roasting, drizzle with half of the queso. Top with all of your toppings and drizzle with remaining queso. Serve.

with love, Ali

leave a comment

Recipe Rating




comments

  • Now, that's what called Perfection. Keep up!!
  • Made this for dinner last night and it was delicious!! I didn’t have the Siete Queso Dip on hand so I made my favorite plant based cheese sauce (I make it often, it’s super easy to make and our favorite cheese replacement.) After I assembled the nachos in the baking dish, I popped the dish in the oven at 375° for 10 minutes. We had it over rice and I topped it with guacamole and a homemade cashew cream sauce. So delicious! My husband loved it
  • Did you roast the cauliflower in the baking dish or on a separate pan? I stumbled across this as I was preparing to make the new Buffalo Cauli Salads this evening! Looking forward to it.
  • I didn’t have queso. Roasted cauliflower, then tossed with jalapeños, tomatos and beans, covered with Colby jack and backed until melted. Delicious! With or without guacamole!!!
    • That sounds phenomenal! Great job!
  • These were a great side to go with chicken that a made. I love chips and dip but trying to limit them right now so this was perfect. I couldn’t find the cheese so let that out. I added fresh tomato salsa. I will definitely make these again.
    • That sounds great, Jill!! So happy you're enjoying this.