As I sit here writing this article, I'm eating one of my favorite appetizers in the world. Baked Nachos! This recipe is inspired by one of my favorite items to order at a New England ski resort. Since I only get to eat their nachos about once a year, I have come up with a pretty comparable, low fat mexican food recipe to make at home.

This is a really upscale nacho recipe that is sure to impress your family and friends. No fake orangey nacho cheese here! You don't have to use totally fresh ingredients, unless you want to. I sometimes make these baked nachos on a large cookie tray for parties. If you're making them for yourself, simply use an 8" or a 9" cake pan to bake them in.

Oh, and if low calorie/low fat cheese and sour cream and lean beef doesn't appeal to you, simply replace the ingredients with your favorites. I'm sure the version I get at the restaurant is high in fat, but when I use low fat/low calorie ingredients at home, I honestly can't tell the difference!

While you're cooking your baked nachos, make sure to pour yourself a margarita. For some of my low calorie margarita ideas, check out my article here: Low Calorie Margarita Recipes.

Let's get started!

• Tortilla Chips (For a gorgeous presentation, use gourmet red & blue corn chips)
• Lean Ground Beef
• Low Fat/Fat Free Mexican Cheese Blend (Colby, Cheddar, Monteray Jack)
• Diced tomatoes
• Chopped onions
• Hot or Mild Banana Peppers (These are a must! I use the canned kind that taste like pickles)
• Sliced olives (omit if you'd like, but remember that the fat from olives - monounsaturated- isn't bad for you like trans fats!)
• Fat free Sour Cream
• Mild or medium salsa
• Guacamole (Omit if you'd like...but remember that avocados are full of healthy fat that is great for you in moderation)
• Taco seasoning
• Dehydrated onion
• Cilantro
• Lime juice (or use some juice from the banana peppers jar)

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit and preheat a burner on your stove to medium heat.
2. Spray your cooking pan with non-stick spray because lean ground beef can sometimes stick. Start cooking the beef and add taco seasoning and dehydrated onion, to taste.
3. While your beef is cooking, lightly spray your baking tray or round cake pan (for a personal serving). Place one layer of tortilla chips. The trick here is to overlap the chips slightly, so when the cheese melts, it sticks them together.
4. Now take a handful of shredded cheese and sprinkle it over the first layer of chips. Try to sprinkle it so when it melts, it will help the chips stay together. (This is helpful for when you transfer them to a plate, so they stay in a nice formation) Not necessary, but I like my food to look nice. :)
5. After your ground beef is done cooking (no pink left), take about 1/3-1/2 of the amount and spoon it on top of the chips and cheese.
6. Next, place one final layer of chips. Spoon on top the rest of your ground beef and as much cheese as you'd like.
7. Now, add some diced tomatoes, onions, etc. Don't forget the banana peppers! (If you've never tried them, they are marinated in vinegar and taste like spicy pickles! They are not very comparable in taste to red or green peppers)
8. Once you've layered everything to your liking, squeeze some fresh lime juice on top. If you don't have lime juice, I like to use some of the juice that came from the banana pepper jar.
9. Bake at 350* fahrenheit for about 5 minutes, so they become heated thoroughly.
10. Next, turn your oven's broiler on. Broil for 1-3 minutes (watch closely!) and immediately remove them once they start to brown and look crispy.
11. Sprinkle some fresh cilantro on top and you're ready to go.

That's it!!! Carefully remove the nachos from the pan onto a plate and serve with a dollop of salsa, low fat sour cream and if you'd like, guacamole.

Yum! I hope you enjoy this low fat mexican recipe as much as I do!

• Low Calorie Lunch Ideas - Get some great recipes and ideas for a low calorie lunch.
• Low Calorie Breakfast Ideas - Here you'll find some great recipes and ideas for satisfying low calorie breakfasts at home or on the go.
• Low Calorie Margarita Recipes - These are a few of my cocktail recipes for frozen, sugar free margaritas.
• Low Fat, Dairy Free, Vegan, Hot Spinach Artichoke Dip - Love hot spinach artichoke dip? Try this super healthy and super satisfying dip that is great for parties.