Hearty Nacho Bake (vegan & gluten-free)
This Hearty Nacho Bake is the perfect comfort food. Rice, beans, salsa and cheesy sauce topped with tortilla chips turn this traditional snack into a tasty meal!
Servings: 4 people
Ingredients
Cheesy Sauce
- 2 tablespoon brown rice flour
- 1-2 tablespoon nutritional yeast (depending on your taste)
- 2 tablespoon oil (avocado or olive oil work well)
- 2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1½ tablespoon Bragg's soy seasoning (if using soy sauce instead, use ½-1 tablespoon depending on taste)
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder (optional - for colour)
- ¾ cup water
For the Bake
- 2 cups cooked long grain brown rice
- 2½ cups black beans (drained and rinsed if from a can)
- 2 420ml jars Que Pasa Mild or Medium Salsa
- ½ cup diced red onion
- ½ cup diced red pepper
- ½ cup sweet corn kernels
- 1 350g bag Que Pasa Salted Tortilla Chips (you'll probably use about half the bag)
- 1½ cups vegan cheese shreds
- 1 small jalapeño, thinly sliced (remember to wear gloves when doing this!)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F/175°C.
- To make the cheesy sauce, add all ingredients to a saucepan and cook on a low heat for 15-20 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Then, when the sauce has thickened (it should have a similar consistency to a queso dip), remove from the heat. Set aside.
- To make the bake, pour the cooked brown rice into a large oven-proof dish with high sides.
- Spread the rice in an even layer, then add the black beans on top in the same way, creating a second layer.
- Empty the jars of salsa into a large bowl, then stir ⅓ cup each of the diced red onion, red pepper and sweet corn into it.
- Spread the mixture over the beans and rice in an even layer.
- In overlapping rows, spread tortilla chips over the tomato mixture, ensuring that virtually all the salsa is covered (you'll likely use about half the bag for this).
- Dollop the cheesy sauce over the tortilla chips. This will likely get a bit messy and uneven but that's ok!
- Finally, sprinkle your remaining diced red onion, red pepper and corn kernels over the tortilla chips, and then sprinkle the vegan cheese shreds and jalapeño slices on top.
- Bake in the oven for about 15 minutes, or until cheese has melted and tortilla chips are turning golden.
- Scoop hearty portions of the bake onto warm plates and eat immediately!