Waffle fry nachos are something I started making regularly because it was a quick sheet pan dinner. They’re also a great movie snack!

When I decided to write about “Shaun of the Dead,” I knew I wanted to pair it with a pub food, and this dish combines two: nachos and fries (or chips, as they’re called in England).

This vegan, gluten-free recipe makes approximately 4-6 servings. If making it gluten-free, pay close attention to the ingredients in the meat substitute and fries you pick.

Ingredients
1 22-ounce bag frozen waffle fries
1 13.4-ounce carton black beans, liquid drained out
1 12-ounce jar green salsa
1 13.7-ounce bag frozen vegan crumbles
1 7.1-ounce bag vegan cheese, shredded
1 10-ounce tub pico de gallo
1 lime, cut into wedges
cilantro
guacamole (optional)
vegan sour cream (optional)
vegan queso (optional)
additional salsa (optional)

Instructions
Preheat your oven to 450°F and line a large, lipped baking sheet with foil. Spray it with cooking spray.

Spread the fries out for a sturdy bottom layer.

Top with the beans, green salsa, crumbles, cheese (I used a Mexican blend) and pico de gallo, making sure each layer is evenly distributed. You want to be sure folks get a taste of each ingredient in every bite.

Bake at 450°F for 20 minutes.

Sprinkle cilantro leaves (fresh or dried) over the top.

Squeeze the lime juice over the top of the nachos.

Serve with guacamole, vegan queso, vegan sour cream, additional salsa and/or any toppings you like.

Enjoy a bowl full with “Shaun of the Dead!”

The Easy Route
Considering I bought shredded cheese and used premade guacamole, salsa and pico de gallo, this recipe is probably the easiest it can possibly be.

If you have a food establishment that makes premade vegan, gluten-free waffle fry nachos near you, please drop the name in the comments.

The Pairing
I wrote about “Hot Fuzz” last summer, so I knew it would only be a matter of time before I chose the first film in Edgar Wright’s Cornetto Trilogy: “Shaun of the Dead.”

This zombie comedy, or “zomedy” if you will, is an early showcase of the brilliance of Wright as a filmmaker and the amazing acting of Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, both as an incredibly dynamic duo and individually. Pegg also co-wrote the screenplay, which showcases his love of the horror genre while also poking a little fun at it.

Shaun (Pegg) and Ed (Frost) are roommates that find themselves fending off zombies as a virus spreads across England.

As in most films and shows of the zombie genre, they quickly find themselves as part of a pod of survivors, which include Shaun’s girlfriend, Liz (Kate Ashfield); Liz’s roommate, Dianne (Lucy Davis); Dianne’s boyfriend, David (Dylan Moran); Shaun’s mom, Barbara (Penelope Wilton); and Shaun’s stepdad, Philip (the one and only Bill Nighy).

In brainstorming a place for the group to wait out this virus, Shaun lands on The Winchester, his favorite pub.

After a harrowing journey, they find themselves in the pub, but their difficulties don’t end there.

I first watched “Shaun of the Dead” when I was in my early twenties, shortly after it came out. This film helped me get more curious about the history of zombie films and the horror genre as a whole, leading me to exploring the work of George A. Romero and other icons of horror.

Gateway films like this one mean so much to me, and I will say if you’re not a huge horror fan, “Shaun of the Dead” is still worth checking out. And if you do enjoy horror, it’s worth watching for the references to other classics.

If you decide to make waffle fry nachos and/or watch “Shaun of the Dead,” let us know! Tag us in your Instagram posts & stories, threads, tweets or TikTok videos: @veg_out_recipes