My go-to comfort food is a plate of nachos. If I load up on chips smothered in cheese, peppers, chicken, tomatoes and refried beans, my worries just seem to melt away. Unfortunately, the next day when I step on the scale, I regret my pity party. My worries might have melted away, but the extra pound or two I put on certainly didn’t help whatever it was I was feeling bad about at the time.
Nachos Lightened Up
Time to think creatively. It’s been a tough week – nachos are calling my name – I either cave, or think outside the box.
I want chips (that goes without saying, yet I said it), salsa of some sort, beans, and cheese. Instead of coating my chips with piles of fattening cheese, why not take a really fresh pico de gallo from the local grocery store, mix in some beans and heart healthy avocado (now I’m in the zone), and then add my favorite pepper jack cheese? Even better, I’ll toss in some chopped broccoli slaw just for good measure. Now I have a healthier version of my favorite nachos complete with the cheese I crave.
Nacho Dip
What did I do for chips? I opted for a whole grain tortilla chip – Tostitos Whole Grain Scoops. These chips are average in calories, but I wasn’t horrified by the ingredient list and they taste fantastic. Whatever your chip choice, look for ingredients you recognize, or even wrap the whole thing up in a corn tortilla and top it with some sour cream.
Either way, these Nachos did the trick, my week magically got better. Happy cooking!
Nacho Dip and Chips
Nachos Lightened Up
5 one cup servings for me, and 1 for you
- 1 pound pico de gallo
- 2 cups broccoli slaw, chopped
- 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 small lime, juiced
- ½ cup cilantro, chopped
- 1 medium avocado, chopped
- 1 cup pepper jack cheese, chopped in small pieces
- hot sauce , to taste
Combine ingredients. That’s it. Nice, huh?
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 217, Weight Watchers PointsPlus 6
Total Fat: 11.11g
Cholesterol: 19mg
Sodium: 484mg
Total Carbs: 21.24g
Dietary Fiber: 6.47g
Sugars: 6.78g
Protein: 10.02g
Please see disclaimer for further details. Nutrition information is compiled with MacGourmet. If you find discrepancies, please let me know. It’s important to me that I provide you with accurate information.
That is awesome! I really like your version a lot! Looks amazing and healthy!!
What a fresh and light dip…perfect for summer. It sounds so delicious and looks so vibrant, too
Tes recently posted..Prawn Moli
I love colorful dishes. People just seem to gravitate to food with lots of color.
Nachos are also my weakness. I haven’t come up with an alternative, so now I am going to have to try yours. Thanks for the recipe in advance.
Greg recently posted..Running and Wedgies
You bet! Thanks for visiting!
this looks so yummy, using just the right ingredients, thanks for sharing!
FreeSpiritEater recently posted..Nutella Macadamia Chip Cookies & Contest!
I love Mexican and this light version is went immediately in my recipe folder!
Katerina recently posted..Smoked Salmon Pasta
I hope you enjoy it. If you make additions, let me know. I love hearing how people change my recipes. It’s inspiring.
Nachos are my go-to food too. I love beans, cheese, black olives, sour cream, salsa (or hot sauce, or both), and avocado if possible. I can see how this is just as tasty. It is really hard to screw up nachos. Looks delish and I may be stealing some of your ideas soon!
It really is hard to mess up nachos, and you’re right, the fun is in making endless combinations.
I have to say those look incredible! I am with you, sometimes you just need a big ole’ bowl of chips and some sort of dip. This is making me hungry…
The Farmers Wife recently posted..BBQ Beef Sammies
When I’m feeling sorry for myself, it’s the chips I head for, not the chocolate.
I’m totally game for this plate – heaped up with yummies.
Belinda @zomppa recently posted..Advanced Superfood- Vanilla Chia Pet Pudding Recipe
Yum, I can see this appearing at a BBQ near me sometime very soon. So full of fresh zingy ingredients, I’d MUCH prefer to scoop up this nacho de-light than fatty gooey cheese. (And it helps avoid party pity? – fantastic!)
Hester Casey – Alchemy recently posted..Itsa Cookbook – worth crossing town for
You’re right, I hadn’t thought of it, but it would make a good party dip.
Great idea on ‘cleaning up’ a traditionally fatty appetizer! It’s got all the good stuff and just enough of the cheese to satisfy!
Hope this week is better for you!
Susan recently posted..Dutch Cocoa Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip Cookies
I still need a little of my favorite cheese, or it wouldn’t be nachos to me.
I love the idea of nacho dip. I love all the ingredients you combined; can’t wait to try this. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
kitchenarian recently posted..From the Recipe Box- Chocolate Risotto
I wish I would have thought of this when my kids were growing. I could have gotten more broccoli into them!
Very nice. We love nachos and I always eat too many. Your recipe gives me a little more leeway. Don’t forget to pick up the award I have for you on my blog.
Thank you so much! I’m honored that you would think of me!
This is awsm .. i like this dip .. so simple and yet so flavorful.
I love this post so much! Nachos are also one of my many comfort foods. I LOVE your ideas and plan on trying your recipe! Thanks!!!
I’m a big one for adding veggies to almost anything I make.
wow Kristi, I could eat this as a salad too, with maybe a little romaine, and certainly try it in a wrap… hey you’ve just given us a whole lot of options for an easy meal
Drick recently posted..Leek- Asparagus- Tomato & Sweet Sausage- Pepperoni Pizzas
You really could add almost anything to it, couldn’t you. Shredded chicken and you could turn it into a wrap, as you say.
Nachos are a GREAT go to comfort food. I love your lightened up version of them.
They are, aren’t they? I’m such a chip fan that I need to lighten up the dips.
These look so tempting. I love nachos, but I usually avoid them because of its high calorie content. I would love to try your version, they look a lot healthier.
Sruthi @ Exercise, Food & Beyond recently posted..And I ran
My husband had no problem eating this two days in a row, even with the broccoli slaw added to the mix.
Your nachos sure look very yummie with all the goodies in it…very comforting indeed. Have a great day!
Oh my gosh this is creative! I love the slaw and black bean combination of flavors not to mention the contrasting texture. Yummy!!!!
redkathy recently posted..Easy Grill Roasted Rosemary Potato Medley
I wondered about the broccoli slaw, but you know me – got to get more veggies in!
I love nachos and a litter version is great to have in the repertoire. This looks so delicious …. a little less guilt can be a good thing!
Lisa @ Tarte du Jour recently posted..Homemade lemon curd and raspberry tartlets the taste of sunshine
So true. These were so good, I wasn’t missing my gooey plate of cheese and chips!
Yep, this recipe would definitely fix my Mexican food cravings. I love how you’ve lightened it up with the broccoli slaw, something I would not have thought of. Very clever and tasty at the same time.
Sam
My Carolina Kitchen recently posted..Wild Mushroom Toasts with Eggs Recipe and the Winner of the Give-away
The best part was you couldn’t taste the broccoli slaw, so kids would eat it too.
[...] of the Week: Nachos Lightened Up – From listener [...]
Bravo! I could totally get into this. I love nachos but it’s the combination of flavors that I’m after, not necessarily all the fat that usually goes along with it. I love the Scoops too.
The Mom Chef ~ Taking on Magazines One Recipe at a Time recently posted..Slow-Cooker Steak and Guinness Pie from Fine Cooking Magazine- April-May 2011
You say it perfectly! I love the flavors, so I wasn’t missing the gooey cheese, in fact, I liked it much better!
[...] of the Week: Nachos Lightened Up – From listener [...]
I love nachos because they are super quick to make and once I buy all of the goods, I can eat nachos (or taco salads) for a good week. Since everyone puts different types and amounts of toppings on their nachos,
Adam recently posted..Olive Garden’s Sweepstakes Gives Away Italian Vacations and Free Meals
Isn’t that the best thing about taco salads and nachos? You can use almost anything in the frig and come up with a tasty version.
Sounds like a lighter version to me! I like the way you think! I’ll have to try this soon!!
Tammi recently posted..Day 1 of 28 Day Challenge
I’m a big nacho fan, so I had to find a way to lighten them up. Have a good New Year!