Say goodbye to boring nachos! These pumpkin nachos are a delicious twist on a classic appetizer. With their sweet and savory flavors, they’re sure to be a hit at your next party or gathering.
As you all may have noticed, I have been on a bit of a pumpkin kick lately. I just love all things fall time related, and pumpkins just seem to fit!
We have had our fair share of sweets coming out of the kitchen, including pumpkin bread and pumpkin muffins, but it’s been a minute since we had a savory pumpkin recipe. So here we are.
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Why you will love this recipe
- It doesn’t get much easier than throwing everything together and baking until warm!
- Fun snack for the whole family! Set this dish out during your next game night!
- Easily customizable with chicken, beef, or pork.
Ingredients
- Tortilla chips: The base for our delicious nachos. Choose your favorite type of tortilla chips, whether they’re plain, seasoned, or loaded with flavor. Just go with a thick, sturdy chip for best results.
- Ground beef: A classic protein option that adds a savory flavor to the nachos. Feel free to substitute with ground chicken or turkey if you prefer.
- Roasted pumpkin: Adds a sweet and earthy flavor that complements the savory ingredients. Roasting the pumpkin brings out its natural sweetness and intensifies its flavor.
- Bell pepper: Provides a colorful and crunchy addition to the nachos. Choose your favorite color of bell pepper, such as red, yellow, or green.
- Onion: Adds a savory and slightly sweet flavor to the nachos. I prefer to use red onion for its mild flavor and slightly sweet taste.
- Cheese: Choose your favorite type of cheese to top your nachos. I love using a combination of cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese for a melty and cheesy texture.
- Lettuce: Adds a fresh and crunchy element to the nachos. Shredded lettuce is a great option for a light and refreshing topping.
- Diced tomatoes: I used tomatoes because we are at the end of tomato season, and I had just enough for this recipe. Feel free to top the nachos with whatever you have on hand!
Variations
- For a spicier version, add a pinch of chili powder or cayenne pepper to the pumpkin and ground beef.
- You can use any type of cheese you like, but cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Colby are all good options.
- For a vegetarian option, Simply leave out the ground beef.
- Serve with your favorite toppings, such as salsa, guacamole, sour cream, or hot sauce. You can also check out my chipotle chicken tacos for topping ideas!
Pumpkin Nachos recipe
Prepare the pumpkin:
- Peel the pumpkin, cut it in half, and remove the seeds and stringy bits.
- Dice the pumpkin into 1-inch squares.
- Place the pumpkin squares on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt.
- Roast in a preheated oven at 425°F for 20-25 minutes or until tender.
Brown the ground beef and prepare the vegetables:
- While the pumpkin is roasting, brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat—season with salt and pepper.
- Dice the onion and bell pepper.
Assemble the nachos:
- Layer the tortilla chips in a baking dish.
- Top with the browned ground beef, bell pepper, onion, and diced pumpkin.
- Sprinkle with your favorite cheese.
Bake and serve:
- Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F for 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish with lettuce and tomatoes, and serve immediately.
Check out the step-by-step process here!
Expert tips
- Choose the right pumpkin: A pie pumpkin is best for this recipe, as they are sweeter and have a smoother texture.
- Save time by roasting the pumpkin ahead of time: If you are short on time, you can always roast the pumpkin ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for several days before making your nachos!
- Don’t overcook the nachos: Watch the nachos closely in the oven to avoid overcooking and burning the tortilla chips.
- Use a baking sheet with a rim: A baking sheet with a rim will help to prevent the toppings from falling off the nachos.
- Serve immediately: Nachos are best served immediately to keep the chips from getting soggy.
- Store leftovers properly: If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Please note these are best enjoyed immediately.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can use canned pumpkin puree for convenience. However, roasting the pumpkin is so much better.
Yes, you can prepare the pumpkin, ground beef, and vegetables ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator. Assemble the nachos and bake them just before serving.
I don’t suggest freezing leftover nachos, as the chips will become quite soggy! Serve it fresh for the best results.
Related recipes
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Roasted Pumpkin Nachos
Ingredients
- 1 pie pumpkin
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 bell pepper diced
- 1 onion diced
- Sea salt
- Ground black pepper
- Shredded cheese
- lettuce for garnishing
- tomatoes for garnishing
Instructions
- Peel, seed, and dice the pumpkin into 1-inch squares.
- Toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Roast on a baking sheet at 425°F for 20-25 minutes, or until tender.
- Brown the ground beef and season with salt and pepper.
Assemble the nachos:
- Layer tortilla chips in a baking dish.
- Top with browned ground beef, bell pepper, onion and diced pumpkin.
- Sprinkle with cheese.
- Bake at 400°F for 10-15 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish with lettuce and tomatoes. Serve immediately.
Notes
-
- Choose the right pumpkin: A pie pumpkin is best for this recipe, as they are sweeter and have a smoother texture.
- Save time by roasting the pumpkin ahead of time: If you are short on time, you can always roast the pumpkin ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for several days before making your nachos!
- Don’t overcook the nachos: Watch the nachos closely in the oven to avoid overcooking and burning the tortilla chips.
- Use a baking sheet with a rim: A baking sheet with a rim will help to prevent the toppings from falling off the nachos.
- Serve immediately: Nachos are best served immediately to keep the chips from getting soggy.
- Store leftovers properly: If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Please note these are best enjoyed immediately.
So delicious!