Weekends in the Fall mean one thing for many people – FOOTBALL!  The sports season brings gatherings of all types from the neighbor next door coming over to a giant group of screaming fans watching the game together.  One thing is certain, you should have plenty of game food ready.  I decided to create a bigger and better version of the standard nachos with salsa and melted cheese or chili.  Why not go big or go home (it is ball season after all)?  Amp up your nachos – it’s GAME DAY!

Game Day Nachos

The ingredients are chips, cheese, avocados, tomatoes, black beans, garlic, lettuce, sour cream, and meat.  The meat is up to you.  I chose ground turkey to reduce the saturated fat, but you may choose beef or chicken or no meat – it’s up to you.  I also add jicama for a sweet crunch, it is also super healthy.  

Ingredients

First preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  As the oven heats, make the bean dip.  Rinse and drain the canned black beans and chop one or two garlic cloves.  In a food processor, blend these together with a table spoon or so of olive oil.  Once the mixture is “dip consistency,” stop mixing.

Bean Dip Coming Up

Cook the meat.  I like to brown it in a pan with garlic and onion.  I also add a touch of salt, pepper, and paprika for flavor.  Cook thoroughly.

Brown the Meat

On a sheet pan, spread a layer of chips.  You may do several layers of chips also for more nacho goodness.

Spread Chips

Grate cheese on chips.  You may use grated cheese but I think the flavor of freshly grated cheese tastes better. Generously grate the cheese.  Then layer dollops of the bean dip across the cheese and chips.

Cheese and Bean Dip

Next add the meat to the top of the chips.

Add the meat

Place into the oven once the meat is added.  This will need to bake until the chips are warm and the cheese is completely melted.  It shouldn’t take more than 10 minutes.  While the chips are baking, chop the vegetables.  I used jicama, tomatoes, avocado and shredded lettuce.

Chop the vegetables

After the chips have baked to perfection, remove the pan from the oven and layer the vegetables across the pan.  Be generous with your portions.  The color is gorgeous.

Colorful Nachos!

Delicious!