Crispy Roasted Sweet Potatoes Not-Chos

If you love nachos but not the high-carb amount, you'll love our high-protein Crispy Roasted Sweet Potatoes Not-Chos.

Okay, okay, these aren't traditional nachos, and you won't find high-carb tortilla chips or ridiculous amounts of high-calorie cheese in the ingredients list. What you will find, though, is that every bite will remind you that healthy, glucose-friendly meals can be delicious and fun!

Be sure to check out Jen's section below on why these Not-Chos are dietitian-approved for insulin resistance, prediabetes and/or type 2 diabetes.

Ingredients for Crispy Roasted Sweet Potatoes Not-Chos

Crispy Roasted Sweet Potatoes:

• Sweet Potatoes: We're replacing high-carb chips with antioxidant-rich, diced sweet potatoes that will crisp up in a high temperature oven.
• Olive Oil Spray: (affiliate link) To keep calories in check, we'll use a few pumps of olive oil. This will help the outside of the sweet potatoes get crispy.
• Kosher Salt: As always, I test all our recipes with Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt, (affiliate link) which is about 50% less salty than other salts, so please adjust accordingly. (See notes in the recipe card)
• Cumin Powder: A little cumin gives the sweet potatoes a Mexican flavor that mimics the beef seasoning.

Ground beef ingredients:

• Lean Ground Beef: Aim for a minimum of 90% lean ground beef to keep this meal as low-calorie as possible.
• Onion: White, yellow, or red onion all work here.
• Taco Seasonings: We'll make our own taco meat seasoning with cumin, chipotle powder (or other chili powder), sweet paprika, garlic powder, and salt.

Toppings:

• Cheddar Cheese: Or another cheese that melts well, like Monterey Jack or pepper jack.
• Avocado: Diced or, if you prefer, smashed up into guacamole.
• Greek Yogurt: We're replacing sour cream with lower calorie, high protein Greek yogurt. Once you get used to this swap, you won't miss sour cream. Pinky promise.
• Scallions: Green onions, or scallions, sliced thinly for a little bit of sharpness in every bite.

How to Make Crispy Roasted Sweet Potatoes Not-Chos

For the Sweet Potatoes:

1. Pre-heat your oven to 475°F
2. Place the diced sweet potatoes on a parchment-lined or non-stick baking sheet sprayed with extra virgin olive oil.
3. Spray the sweet potatoes a few times with olive oil to coat (or drizzle with olive oil) and toss them.
4. Season with salt and cumin, toss to coat, and place the sheetpan in the oven.
5. Bake 20 minutes, tossing the potatoes halfway through cooking for even roasting.
6. Remove the pan from the oven at the 20-minute mark, but leave the oven on for the final step (as outlined below).

For the Taco Meat

1. Heat a pan over medium-high heat and spray lightly with olive oil.
2. Place the ground beef in the pan and break it up into small pieces with a spatula.
3. Cook for about 5-6 minutes, tossing regularly to ensure even cooking.
4. Add the onions to the pan and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until they begin to soften.
5. If necessary, add another spray or two of olive oil to the pan, and then add the taco seasonings and salt to the beef and onion mixture and toss to coat. Finally, cook the beef and spices for another 3-4 minutes.
6. Remove the pan from the burner.

Assemble The Not-chos

1. When the sweet potatoes are done cooking, remove the pan from the oven and top them with the seasoned beef.
2. Sprinkle the shredded cheese over the sweet potatoes and beef and place the pan back in the oven.
3. Bake 3 more minutes or until the cheese is melted and remove from the oven.
4. Garnish the sweet potatoes and beef with the avocado, Greek yogurt and scallions and serve. (Alternatively, have each person garnish their own portions as desired).

What to Serve With Crispy Roasted Sweet Potatoes Not-Chos

• Garnish with diced tomatoes, salsa, or pico de gallo for the ultimate nachos experience.
• Drizzle with your favorite hot sauce. We love Valentina brand (affiliate link) hot sauce for its authentic Mexican flavor!
• Top with sliced fresh or pickled jalapeños.
• Serve with a simple green salad for a more nutrient dense meal.
• Replace the Greek yogurt with our Cilantro Lime Greek Yogurt Dressing or our Greek Yogurt Chipotle Sauce.

Recipe

Dietitian Approved by Jen Birge MS, RDN, CDCES

If you've been checking out our recipes, you might notice that we love sweet potatoes. They are nutrient-dense with high levels of vitamin A, potassium, and fiber, and a great source of vitamin C.

Most importantly, sweet potatoes are a "whole food" carbohydrate, meaning they are intact and have not been processed like other carbs (think tortillas, chips, bread). The fiber content and whole, intact food aspect allow for slower digestion, which can help stabilize glucose levels instead of spiking them.

The ground beef provides 39 grams of protein per serving. With 39 grams of carbs, this meal has a good protein-to-carb ratio. A good ratio is important for keeping glucose and insulin levels balanced. Read our article about why it's helpful for insulin resistance here.

Nachos are one of my favorite foods, so when Jackelin had the idea to make a lower-carb version for the blog, I was immediately agreeable. The way she makes sure that every dish is full of flavor and satisfying is perfect for anyone wanting to reduce their carbohydrate intake. You won't miss the carbs, and you'll love the "Not-chos" as much as I do. Promise!

Please Provide Feedback

We hope you enjoy this healthier, delicious alternative to traditional nachos. If you make it, please let us know about your experience below and leave us a rating. And thanks in advance for sharing our recipes with your friends and family!