Test Kitchen director Chris Morocco relies on some version of these lunch nachos at least once a week as he brainstorms what to feed his two young kids. It’s worth it to commit the formula to memory: a bag of chips, a can of refried beans, maybe some leftover meat or roasted veg from the night before, shredded cheese, and some kind of quickly cooked, spiced veg like cauliflower or brussels sprouts. It’s a lightning-fast lunch (or dinner) that can be tweaked to suit anyone’s preferences.
Recipe information
Yield
2 servings
Ingredients
1
½
3
2
½
1
1
1
8
1
8
Preparation
Step 1
Toss radishes and vinegar in a small bowl to combine; set aside.
Step 2
Preheat oven to 400°. Heat 2 Tbsp. oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Cook garlic, tossing often, until golden around edges, about 2 minutes. Add cauliflower; cook, undisturbed, until golden brown underneath, about 3 minutes. Toss, then continue to cook, tossing occasionally, until browned all over and crisp-tender, about 3 minutes more. Add coriander, cumin, paprika, and remaining 1 Tbsp. oil. Cook, tossing, until very fragrant, about 1 minute; season with salt.
Step 3
Spread half of chips on a small rimmed baking sheet. Arrange half of cauliflower on top. Dollop half of beans over, then sprinkle with half of cheese. Repeat layers one more time. Bake until cheese is melted, 10–12 minutes. Top with drained radishes, avocado, cilantro, and yogurt.
How would you rate Lunch Nachos With Spiced Cauliflower?
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Reviews (35)
Back to TopProbably tastes good but how am I to pack this to be a school lunch? Do YOUR kids come home for lunch? I would make it, but not for a school lunch.
Susan
Vancouver, BC
3/29/2024
This is one I will use often. Can't wait to try it. I like the fact that it's meatless. Keep the recipes coming!!
Anonymous
new york
3/30/2023
Had to come back and add a review. I make this spiced cauliflower every month, it's been in my permanent rotation since Chris did his video on it during covid. Sometimes I add it to nachos and follow the recipe but most times it's my go-to taco filling, salad topper, pizza topping, ground beef substitute when I'm feeling like I need more vegetables in my life. Easy, flavorful, and versatile.
S Whit
Houston, TX
8/29/2022
Fast, filling, flavorful vegetarian recipe with plenty of protein from the beans + corn chips, and cheese of course. Loved all the veggies, and the pickled radishes are choice. Adding shredded purple cabbage makes it even prettier to look at. From personal experience, this is a great single sheet pan dinner for two (hunched over the tray like two seagulls over a spilled pile of fries).
Anonymous
1/23/2022
Awesome! We are satisfying full & happy for the pile of vegetables. 😁 The pickled veg was dead-simple, I made extra. They pretty much take the place of salsa. I used store bought crumbled cauliflower which was a bit too moist, I'll use a fresh head next time.
Terri Heal
Victoria, BC Canada
2/28/2021
This is one I will use often. Can't wait to try it. I like the fact that it's meatless. Keep the recipes coming!!
Jodi
2/9/2021