Low-carb nachos that are full of Southwest flavor? Yes, please!
Love nachos but want to keep it light? Fall in low-carb love with these Skinny Bell Pepper Nacho Boats! Enjoy the crispy bell pepper base topped with melty cheese and bold Southwest flavor. These nachos are customizable, high in protein, and kid-approved.
The BEST Loaded Low-Carb Nachos
If you’ve been looking for a way to enjoy nachos without all the carbs and guilt, this low-carb bell pepper nachos recipe is for you.
Instead of greasy chips, we’re using crisp, sweet mini bell peppers as the base, delivering a nice crunch while keeping things healthy and satisfying. These bell pepper boats are loaded with flavor, protein, and endless customization options to fit your diet, whether it’s low-carb, vegetarian, or keto-friendly.
Perfect for easy dinners, a light party snack, or spicing up Taco Tuesday, these nachos are also a hit during football season or game day. They’re naturally gluten-free, packed with nutritious ingredients, and guaranteed to please both health-conscious eaters and snack lovers alike.
Whether you’re prepping for the next Super Bowl or just looking for a creative way to get more veggies into your meals, these mini bell peppers will hit the spot!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Healthy & Delicious Side Dish Ideas
Looking for healthy sides to serve with the Skinny Bell Pepper Nacho Boats? Try pairing them with one or more of the sides below. There’s something for everyone.
Fresh & Flavorful
A medley of onions, bell peppers, asparagus, artichoke hearts, and tomatoes, roasted to perfection. This vibrant dish adds a Mediterranean flair and pairs wonderfully with the nacho boats.
Light and aromatic, this rice dish brings a zesty kick that complements the Tex-Mex flavors of the nacho boats.
3. Spicy Kale Salad with Chickpeas & Maple Vinaigrette
A nutrient-packed salad featuring hearty kale, protein-rich chickpeas, and a sweet-spicy maple vinaigrette. It’s a refreshing counterpoint to the savory nachos.
Hearty & Comforting
4. Chili-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes filled with a robust chili make for a satisfying side or even a main course. Their sweetness balances the savory nacho boats beautifully.
5. Healthy Roasted Smashed Potatoes
Crispy on the outside and tender inside, these smashed potatoes are a crowd-pleaser and add a comforting touch to your meal.
Light & Crisp
6. Southwestern Brussels Sprout Coleslaw
A crunchy coleslaw with a Southwestern twist, offering a tangy and spicy flavor that pairs well with the nacho boats.
7. Fresh and Creamy Cucumber Salad
This salad is refreshing and light, making it an excellent starter or side, especially alongside bell pepper nacho boats.
Vegetarian & Vegan Substitutions
If you’re trying to make vegetarian nachos without meat or keep things plant-based for a vegan crowd, here are a few of my go-to swaps:
- Black beans or lentils: Easy, fiber-rich, and full of plant protein.
- Plant-based ground crumbles like Beyond Meat or Gardein: Great texture and flavor for vegetarian nachos with fake meat.
- Cashew cheese or dairy-free shredded cheese: Perfect for vegan nachos that melt like the real thing.
For a lighter twist, you can also skip the cheese and drizzle on a homemade avocado crema or spicy salsa verde.
Toppings That Make It a Meal
Want to know how to make loaded bell pepper nachos at home? The toppings are everything. Try:
- Fresh pico de gallo or salsa
- Avocado slices or guacamole
- Pickled jalapeño pepper or banana peppers
- A dollop of Greek yogurt (or unsweetened dairy-free yogurt)
- Fresh cilantro and green onions
This is also a great meal prep nachos recipe. You can slice and roast the bell peppers in advance, prep your toppings, and build your plate in under 10 minutes!
More SkinnyMs. Recipes That Pair Well
Round out your menu with a few more favorites:
- Elote Tomato Avocado Salad – A perfect light side dish
- Sparkling Lime-Mint Quencher – Because sometimes you need a little something to sip on
- Classic Guacamole – Fresh, flavorful, and naturally keto
Skinny Bell Pepper Nacho Boats
Ingredients
- 3 bell peppers
- 1 pound lean ground turkey
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
- 3/4 cup salsa no sugar added
- 1 cup cheddar cheese reduced-fat, grated
Instructions
- Remove seeds, core, and membrane from bell peppers then slice each one into 6 vertical pieces where they dip down. Set sliced bell peppers aside.
- Cook ground turkey over medium-high heat, breaking up as it cooks. Cook until the turkey loses it's pink color and is cooked through. Drain off any fat.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Combine cooked turkey with spices and salsa. Evenly distribute mixture into the bell pepper boats, top with cheese.
- Bake on a parchment lined baking sheet for 10 minutes or until cheese is melted and peppers are hot. Optional ingredients: sliced Jalapeno peppers, diced avocado, fat-free Greek yogurt or sour cream, or sliced green onions.
- NOTE: If you prefer much softer bell peppers, add a few tablespoons water to the bottom of a large casserole dish, add filled nachos, cover tightly with foil and bake 15 minutes.
Notes
Nutrition Information
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If you enjoyed these bell pepper nacho boats, we think that you will also love:
Skinny Burrito Bowls
These healthy, guilt-free burrito bowls are not only made with clean ingredients, but they also create less of a mess than traditional burritos. They will allow you to indulge in the same southwest flavors you love in a healthier way!
Skinny Mexican Rice
Pair this flavorful side dish with your favorite tacos, burritos, enchiladas, or any other Tex Mex recipe. Of course, you can also enjoy it as a meal on it’s own – if you’d like! Our skinny Mexican rice is made with brown rice, cumin, diced tomatoes, green chiles, and fresh cilantro, making it an incredibly nutritious choice!
Nacho Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Nutrient-dense sweet potatoes pair up with lean, ground turkey and crushed tomatoes to create one incredibly healthy trio. Add in the Southwest seasonings of cumin and chili powder to elevate the flavor even further! Once you top these tasty morsels off with some shredded cheese and cilantro, you’ll have yourself a meal made in flavor-heaven!
Clean-Eating Loaded Grilled Chicken Nachos
You must try our restaurant-quality, clean-eating grilled chicken nachos! The only difference is, ours are full of clean, healthy ingredients! Just because ours are good for you, does not mean they’re lacking in flavor, either! Stone ground tortilla chips, tender grilled chicken, Cheddar cheese, charred corn, black beans, fresh avocado, lettuce, and tomato are just some of the ingredients you’ll find in this delicious plate of nachos!
We’d love to hear what you think about these nacho boats! Let us know in the comments section below.
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Big hit at our house, my 4 and 6 year old said to make them again! Are you able to save any extras, if so how?
Tiffany, YEAH!!! When the kids like a recipe it’s a win win!!! 🙂
Delish.
This is one of my favorite recipes to make. It’s so simple, but so so delicious!
Cassie, Thank you so much for the feedback.
Can I cooked them and the freeze them?
Roberta, You sure can. Just be sure to let them cool down before freezing and thaw in the fridge.
Is kcal the same as calories?
Kayla, Yes, for the program we use it’s the same.
Making soon!
Keep us posted. 🙂
Doesn’t feed 9 people, I ate most of it haha. But it is delicious! Takes probably 45 minutes to make and bake… or maybe I’m just slow.
Can’t wait to make this and try it
Looks awesome. Making it tonight.
Looking good and I wanna try it
They’re delicious. 🙂