Loaded Cauliflower Nachos (with taco meat)

Name: Loaded Cauliflower Nachos
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 1/2 lb ground beef; 1 tbsp chili powder; 1 cup water; 1 large cauliflower; 3 tbsp olive oil; 1 tbsp chili powder; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1/8 tsp cumin; 1/8 tsp salt; 1/8 tsp black pepper; 1 cup shredded cheddar; 3 tbsp sour cream; 3 tbsp chunky salsa; 3 green onions

These Loaded Cauliflower Nachos are roasted in the oven and topped with melty cheese, taco meat, salsa and sour cream. Just like the usual nachos but with crispy roasted cauliflower that will leave you wanting more.

Jump To:

🥘 Ingredient notes
👨🏻‍🍳 Steps by step instructions
🍴 More appetizers you might enjoy
📋 Substitutions and Variations
⏲️ How to store leftovers
👨🏻‍🍳 Top tip
♨️ Serving suggestions
💭 Frequently asked questions
🍽 Other recipes you may like
Recipe Card
🌡️ Food safety

I was inspired to make these nachos after making my Keto Crack Chicken recipe as I felt it was similar to nachos as it used a lot of the same toppings.

Nachos are the perfect appetizer or I can eat these as a meal. The added taco meat makes you feel like you are having a meal. You may also enjoy this Low Carb Tex-Mex Chicken and Rice recipe.

🥘 Ingredient notes

Made with taco meat, sharp cheddar cheese, creamy sour cream and chunky salsa, these nachos will be a crowd pleaser even without the nacho chips. A healthier option without the carbs.

Cauliflower: roasted in the oven until tender and crispy to give more of a nutty and sweet flavour.
Taco Meat: browned ground beef with a touch of chili powder quickly made on the stovetop.
Sour Cream: tart and tangy with a thick creaminess, a must for nachos.
Chunky Salsa: savoury and zesty, use spicy, medium or mild

👨🏻‍🍳 Steps by step instructions

How to make the Loaded Cauliflower Nachos

STEP 1: Brown the ground beef in a medium frying pan, add chili powder and water and allow to simmer until water is evaporated. Remove from stove top and allow to cool.

browning taco meat on stove and adding spoon of chili powder

STEP 2: Preheat oven to 425°F

STEP 3: Cut, trim and wash the head of cauliflower. Cutting the cauliflower with sharp flat edges to allow more contact with the sheet pan for more browning.

STEP 4: Add the cauliflower to a large bowl and toss with olive oil, chili powder, garlic powder, cumin and salt and pepper.

STEP 5: Place the cauliflower on a sheet pan and bake at 425°F for 20 minutes, toss and bake another 5 minutes. I didn't use parchment as I like the contact with the pan to create crispy edges to the cauliflower.

STEP 6: Once cooked remove from oven but leave the oven on. Push the cauliflower to the centre of the baking pan and top with ground meat and cheddar cheese. Place back in the oven for 5 minutes until the cheese melts.

cauliflower in centre of sheet pan topped with taco meat and shredded cheddar cheese — BEFORE GOING INTO THE OVEN

roasted cauliflower with melted cheese and taco meat

STEP 7: Remove from oven and allow to cool for a couple minutes. Top with salsa, sour cream, sliced green onions and more shredded cheddar if desired.

loaded cauliflower nachos on a sheet pan

🍴 More appetizers you might enjoy

📋 Substitutions and Variations

Nachos can be topped with a variety of ingredients. Here are a few that I think would go well with a cauliflower base.

Lettuce - shredded lettuce like iceberg lettuce would go well on top of these nachos. Just make sure the nachos have cooled, because nobody likes soggy lettuce.
Jalapenos - spice it up and add some jalapeno slices or any other spicy peppers
Guacamole - add some quac to these nachos and load up on that avocado
Fresh Cilantro - you either love or hate cilantro but adding some this fresh herb does lighten up these nachos while giving them that "mexican" feel.
Vegetarian - skip the taco meat and make these veggie nachos.... yum!

See this spicy instant pot chili recipe.

⏲️ How to store leftovers

Store any leftover in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When ready to consume heat them up in the oven at 350°F for 10 minutes

👨🏻‍🍳 Top tip

Use an old sheet pan if you have one. Cauliflower may stick to the pan a bit to get those crispy edges and may scrape the sheet pan. Otherwise you can use parchment paper or spray the pan with cooking spray but cauliflower may not come out as crispy.

♨️ Serving suggestions

Margaritas: make it a mexican theme and serve these nachos with these Low Carb Margaritas
Appetizers: nachos go great with other appetizers like Cilantro Lime Chicken Wings or Crispy Air Fryer Green Beans
Salads: Serve with a fresh salad like this Panzanella Salad or a Chicken Ranch Cobb Salad

💭 Frequently asked questions

How do I make cauliflower nachos without getting soggy?

We make the cauliflower extra crispy so they can hold up to moisture. Plus we don't add the salsa or sour cream until after it has baked in the oven and cooled.

Can I use another low carb option rather than cauliflower?

Yes, pork rinds chips are a great option to use instead of cauliflower. Skip the cauliflower and simply toss the pork rinds on a parchment lined baking sheet, top with taco meat and cheese and place in the oven just until the cheese melts. Remove from oven and top with the nacho toppings.

🍽 Other recipes you may like

Cauliflower nachos topped with sour cream green onions and cheddar

🌡️ Food safety

Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
Wash hands after touching raw meat
Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
Never leave cooking food unattended
Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

See more food guidelines

Comments

5 from 42 votes (31 ratings without comment)