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Colorful Bell Pepper Nachos loaded with ground meat, melted cheese, guacamole, diced tomatoes, red onions, jalapeƱos, and fresh cilantro on a white plate.
Layla

Bell Pepper Nachos

Crisp bell peppers loaded with spiced beef, melty cheese, and all your favorite toppings for a fresh, low-carb twist on game day snacking.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican-American, Tex-Mex
Calories: 485

Ingredients
  

For the Bell Pepper Base
  • 4 large bell peppers mix of red, yellow, and orange, halved and seeded
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 0.5 tsp kosher salt
For the Beef Topping
  • 1 lb ground beef 80/20
  • 2 tbsp taco seasoning store-bought or homemade
  • 0.25 cup water
For Assembly and Toppings
  • 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend cheddar and Monterey Jack mix
  • 0.5 cup black beans drained and rinsed
  • 0.25 cup pickled jalapenos sliced, plus more for serving
  • 0.5 cup sour cream for serving
  • 0.25 cup fresh cilantro chopped, for serving
  • 0.5 cup salsa your favorite kind, for serving

Equipment

  • Large Rimmed Baking Sheet
  • Large skillet

Method
 

Prep the Bell Peppers
  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Arrange bell pepper halves cut-side up on a large rimmed baking sheet. Brush with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Roast for 12 to 15 minutes until just tender but still holding their shape. They will not be fully cooked yet.
Cook the Beef
  1. While peppers roast, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until no pink remains, about 6 to 8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed. Stir in taco seasoning and water, then simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture thickens slightly and looks saucy but not wet.
Assemble and Bake
  1. Remove peppers from oven. Divide the seasoned beef evenly among the pepper halves, pressing it down slightly. Top with shredded cheese, then scatter black beans and pickled jalapenos over the cheese. Return to the oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the cheese is fully melted and bubbling with light golden spots.
Finish and Serve
  1. Let the nachos rest for 3 minutes so the cheese sets slightly. Transfer to a serving platter or serve directly from the baking sheet. Top with dollops of sour cream, a sprinkle of fresh cilantro, and serve salsa on the side for drizzling or dipping.

Notes

Choose bell peppers that are wide and flat-bottomed so they sit steady on the baking sheet without tipping. For a vegetarian version, swap the beef for an extra can of black beans or 2 cups of seasoned cauliflower crumbles. These are best eaten right away, but you can roast the pepper halves and cook the beef up to 2 days ahead, then assemble and bake when ready to serve.