A Bit Lighter and Healthier Nachos Served in Foil Pouches
Recipe: #9580
May 14, 2013
Categories: Snacks, Turkey, Appetizers, Mexican, Cinco de Mayo, Game/Sports Day, Sunday Dinner, Oven Bake, Low Calorie, Low Fat, No Eggs, Fresh Tomatoes, Spicy, Mexican Dinner, more
"These have all the same flavors ... but a bit healthier. I can't say it qualifies as "diet" food; however, these nachos still have tons of flavor ... just a few less calories and fat. Honestly, I love them! Now, one thing I do, is use my own taco seasoning. You can use a packaged seasoning; but, by using your own blend, you really control the salt content. Two other notes - grate your own cheese, it does make a difference; and, bake your own nacho chips. I love to serve these in small foil pouches for each person. This way, each person has their own package of nachos, which they can finish with the toppings of their choice. Also, it is a bit of 'portion controlled' this way. You can always add extra chips on the side for those who want more."
Ingredients
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- TURKEY AND BEANS
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- Toppings (use your favorites):
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Nutritional
- Serving Size: 1 (511.5 g)
- Calories 748.3
- Total Fat - 22.9 g
- Saturated Fat - 7.1 g
- Cholesterol - 54.2 mg
- Sodium - 684.8 mg
- Total Carbohydrate - 102.1 g
- Dietary Fiber - 13.4 g
- Sugars - 25.8 g
- Protein - 35.9 g
- Calcium - 308.6 mg
- Iron - 5 mg
- Vitamin C - 118.3 mg
- Thiamin - 0.7 mg
Step by Step Method
Step 1
Tortilla Chips ... By making your own tortilla chips, you are really cutting the amount of salt in this dish. Stack the tortillas, then cut into quarters. Lay them out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and spray with a nonstick spray or brush lightly with olive oil. Then, bake in a 400 degree oven, middle shelf for 6-8 minutes until golden brown. Keep an eye on them, they go quickly. Now, you can salt them, but there is enough flavor in this dish, so I don't - but, you can if you want to. Once they are done, set to the side to cool. These can easily be made a day ahead.
Step 2
Turkey and Beans ... Add the olive oil to a pan and bring to medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, and saute 2 minutes until slightly tender. Then add the turkey, taco seasoning, and cook, breaking up the turkey as it cooks. It should take around 5-7 minutes. If the pan gets a bit dry, you can add a bit more olive oil if needed. Once the turkey is cooked through, add the beans, taco sauce, and mix to combine. Let it cook another 5 minutes to combine and heat through.
Step 3
Note: You can always add a little extra chili powder for a bit more spice if you want.
Step 4
Toppings ... Nachos are all about the toppings as far as I am concerned. These is why I put 3-4 big chips in a small foil pouch; top with the turkey and beans, then top with cheese and bake in the oven to melt. Then - the toppings. I serve them all al la carte. Me, I add everything; but, I realize everyone, doesn't like ... everything. So, this is perfect for a game or movie night; game day; or a party. Like a Taco Bar! But, I have found that most people will add most of the toppings.
Step 5
Foil Pouches ... I use heavy duty foil, or you can use 2 sheets of regular foil - about a 8x8" sheet. Pinch up the ends a bit to make a small boat. Then, add 3-4 chips per pouch; and top with the turkey and bean mixture, and finish with the cheese.
Step 6
Broil ... Add to the 2nd or 3rd shelf down under the broiler for 3-4 minutes - just until the cheese melts. The chips are already crisp.
Step 7
Serve and ENJOY! ... Now, if you know your guests, you can add the toppings before serving ... Me, I serve them naked (just the turkey/bean mix, and cheese), and let everyone make their own. It is fun to entertain with; fun for parties, game or card night, a great dinner for kids or family night too.
Tips
No special items needed.
Editorial Notes
The ingredient tips, suggestions, variations, facts, questions and answers below are not edits to the original author's recipe. They are not meant to imply any change would improve the recipe. They're offered for convenience, alternative ideas, and points of interest. If you have any comments about them, please post in the Help & Ideas forum.
- Be sure to use fresh ingredients for the best flavor.
- If desired, you can substitute ground beef for the ground turkey in the recipe.
- Ground turkey can be substituted with ground chicken for a leaner alternative. The benefit of this substitution is that it adds a leaner protein to the dish, reducing the amount of fat and calories.
- Mexican blend cheese can be substituted with a low-fat cheese for a healthier option. The benefit of this substitution is that it reduces the fat content and calories of the dish, making it a healthier choice.
Vegetarian Nachos To make this a vegetarian dish, swap out the ground turkey for a vegetable protein such as crumbled tofu or tempeh. Cook the same way as the turkey. Additionally, you can also add some extra vegetables such as zucchini and mushrooms to the mix.
Vegetarian Black Bean Nachos To make this variation, swap out the ground turkey for black beans. Additionally, add some extra vegetables such as bell peppers, jalapenos, and onions. Top with a sprinkle of cheese and bake in the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve with a dollop of sour cream and some diced avocado.
: Mexican Street Corn Salad
: Mexican Street Corn Salad is a great dish to pair with this recipe. It is a light and flavorful salad that is a great side for the nachos. The combination of the creamy mayo, tangy lime juice, and spicy chili powder make it a great accompaniment to the nachos. Plus, the addition of the corn and cilantro add a nice texture and flavor to the dish. It is a great way to add a healthy and delicious side to the meal.
Grilled Shrimp: Grilled Shrimp is another great dish to serve with this recipe. The smoky, charred flavor of the shrimp pairs perfectly with the nachos. Plus, the shrimp is a healthy source of protein that can help balance out the indulgent nachos. This dish is also easy to prepare, making it a great addition to the meal.
FAQ
Q: How can I make this dish healthier?
A: You can use less salt by making your own taco seasoning, grate your own cheese, and bake your own nacho chips. You can also use leaner meats like ground turkey and low-fat sour cream. Lastly, you can serve the dish in portion-controlled foil pouches.
Q: Is this dish vegan-friendly?
A: No, this dish is not vegan-friendly as it contains cheese, sour cream, and meats. However, you can make it vegan-friendly by using vegan cheese, vegan sour cream, and vegan meats.
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Fun facts:
The first Nachos were invented by a Mexican maître d’ named Ignacio “Nacho” Anaya in the 1940s. He created a snack from the ingredients he had on hand - tortilla chips, melted cheese, and jalapeños - and named it after himself.
In 2018, actress and singer Selena Gomez posted a photo of her own version of Nachos on her Instagram account, which was liked by over 11 million people. She topped her Nachos with refried beans, cheese, jalapeños, and tomatoes.