Bell Pepper Nachos: A Game Day Gastronomic Touchdown

The biggest football game of the year allllllways falls on my birthday weekend (Who am I kidding?? I have a birthday week month.), so I guess it’s a good thing I like football. But if there’s one thing I absolutely will not stand for on my birthday, it’s inferior food. Which is why I’ve been known to whip up some superior snackage come Sunday game day. I also know it’s an inevitability that I’ll be stuffing my face with plenty o’ junk the entire evening, so I do try to prepare something that might fall into the category of healthified junk food. Like these bell pepper nachos. Because bell peppers? Good. Taco meat? Good. Melty cheese? Goooooooooood. (*FRIENDS reference alert!!* Because I’m sorry – if Joey wasn’t your favorite FRIEND, we can’t be friends.)

I make these just like I would regular nachos, only I swap in bell pepper strips in place of tortilla chips, which cuts down on carbs and ups your veggie intake. Sounds like a touchdown to me. (With an extra point for that solid football pun.)

One request I’ve been getting a lot lately: groceries on a budget. So I figured this was a perfect time to hit up my local ALDI for allllll my nacho ingredients. Obviously prices vary from location to location, but this entire haul only set me back about $20, and even after making my game day nachos, I still had herbs + jalapeños + tomatoes + salsa + guac leftover to use for future meals. Not a football fan? These are an excellent meal-prepped option to have on-hand, because they’re quick, easy, nourishing and reheat beautifully. You’ll have a couple days’ worth of dinners for two – made with affordable, high-quality ingredients!

I must say, I was insanely impressed with the prices at ALDI, as well as their selection of easy grab + go items like that Park Street Deli fresh guac + salsa, so if you’re looking to keep your grocery bill down, ALDI is a fantastic resource. Some tips before you go: if you wanna grab a shopping cart on your way in, make sure you bring a quarter with you because they’re pay-to-push. As long as you return your cart to the cart stall afterward (As every responsible shopper should – nothin’ gets me riled up quite like an abandoned buggy parked smack-dab in the middle of a perfectly good parking spot), you’ll get your quarter right back! Also, in an effort to cut down on plastic, they don’t provide free bags, so make sure you bring your own – otherwise it’s 10 cents per recycled plastic bag. Not a big deal for me, because I tote my reusable bags around with me everywhere. It’s because of these types of efficient practices that you can score so much more for your money at ALDI.

Click here to find your closest ALDI, then run out and get the ingredients to make these bell pepper nachos immediately!!! And of course, tag me in your game day spread if you do!

Print Recipe

Bell Pepper Nachos

These are perfect for when I need a nacho fix, but wanna get in some veggies too.

Author: Katy Allan

Ingredients

• 1 lb Simply Nature organic 100% grass-fed ground beef
• 1 (15 oz) can black beans drained + rinsed
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 4 bell peppers any color you prefer
• 1 (8 oz) block Happy Farms sharp cheddar cheese grated
• 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes on the vine quartered
• 1/2 cup Park Street Deli fresh cut mild salsa
• 1/2 cup Park Street Deli chunky guacamole
• 3 scallions minced
• 1/4 cup minced cilantro
• 1 jalapeño thinly sliced

Instructions

• In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until cooked through, then stir in the beans and all the spices.
• Cut the bell peppers into strips, then arrange on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Top with beef mixture, shredded cheese + jalapeños.
• Broil for a few minutes in the oven, just until the cheese is melted. 
• Top with salsa, guacamole, scallion + cilantro, then DEVOUR.