Ingredients
Bell Peppers
- 6 large bell peppers
Beef Mixture
- 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- ¾ cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
- ¾ cup sweet yellow corn, thawed
- 1 jalapeño, sliced (optional)
Toppings
- ½ to 1 cup reduced-fat shredded Mexican cheese blend
Instructions
- Prepare Oven and Bell Peppers: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or coat it with nonstick oil. Use a sharp knife to core the stem out of each bell pepper, then slice each pepper in half lengthwise, followed by slicing each half into three equal strips, yielding 6 “chips” per pepper. Arrange the bell pepper chips in a single layer on the baking sheet with the insides facing up.
- Cook the Meat Mixture: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef or turkey and cook, stirring until fully browned and crumbled. Stir in the taco seasoning along with 2/3 cup water, mixing well. Add the rinsed black beans, thawed corn, and sliced jalapeño if using. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is heated through and well combined.
- Assemble and Bake: Spoon the meat and vegetable mixture evenly over the prepared bell pepper chips on the baking sheet. Sprinkle the reduced-fat shredded Mexican cheese blend evenly over the top. Bake in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and is bubbly.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve the bell pepper nachos warm. Add your favorite toppings such as salsa, guacamole, sour cream, or chopped cilantro as desired.
Notes
- Bell peppers serve as a lower-carb, nutrient-rich alternative to traditional tortilla chips.
- Using ground turkey can reduce the fat content compared to ground beef.
- Adjust the amount of jalapeño based on your preferred heat level.
- Reduced-fat cheese helps keep the dish lighter while still providing flavor.
- Serve immediately for the best texture to prevent sogginess.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-inspired
- Diet: Low Fat
