Dive into a recipe that is as delicious as it is nutritious: Loaded Potato Skins. This dish puts a healthy spin on a classic appetizer, transforming it into a guilt-free pleasure you can enjoy anytime. Bursting with nutrient-rich tomatoes, a pinch of chives, a sprinkle low-fat cheese and a touch of reduced-fat sour cream, these loaded potato skins offer all the indulgence without the calorie overload.
The humble potato, often relegated to the side-lines, can actually be a star player in your journey towards healthier eating. Packed with essential vitamins and minerals like Vitamin C, potassium and fiber, potatoes are incredibly versatile and delicious. When prepared properly, potatoes can easily fit into any healthy eating regimen, providing a satisfying base for a variety of dishes.
One such dish is our Loaded Potato Skins recipe. Comfort foods, while typically associated with indulgence and high calories, can be tweaked and transformed into healthier versions without losing their soul-satisfying nature. This recipe does just that! It retains all the hearty, comforting flavors of traditional loaded potato skins, but with a nutritious twist that makes it a guilt-free pleasure.
What makes this recipe truly stand out is its ability to strike a perfect balance between health and flavor. Each bite offers a delightful combination of crispy potato skin, creamy filling, and a burst of fresh veggies. It’s a dish that proves that healthy eating doesn’t have to be boring or tasteless.
So, why not give this recipe a try? Embrace the journey towards healthier eating by incorporating this scrumptious Loaded Potato Skins recipe into your repertoire. Make it for a family dinner, a game night with friends, or simply when you’re in need of some comforting goodness that’s good for you too. Trust us, your taste buds (and your body) will thank you!
How to Make Loaded Potato Skins
Indulge in the guilt-free pleasure of our Loaded Potato Skins. This recipe serves one and comes in at a mere 177 calories per serving. On Nutrisystem, you can log it as half of a SmartCarb, one PowerFuel and one Extra in the NuMi app. Multiply the recipe if you are serving a crowd!
To create this delightful dish, you’ll need the following ingredients: a small russet potato, non-stick zero-calorie cooking spray, pepper, a quarter-cup of shredded low-fat cheese, two tablespoons of diced tomatoes, a pinch of chives, and 1 tablespoon of reduced-fat sour cream.
Let’s get started with the preparation. First, preheat your oven to 400 F. Take your russet potato and pierce it several times with a fork or knife. Place the potato on the oven rack and bake until a knife can easily pierce through it. This should take about 50 minutes.
Once your potato is baked, let it cool for 10 minutes. Then slice it in half lengthwise. Using a spoon, scoop out the flesh of the potato, leaving about ¼ inch intact. You can either toss the remaining flesh or save it for another recipe.
Next, spray the scooped-out potato with non-stick spray and season it with pepper. Broil it until it’s crisp, which should take about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the potato from the oven and fill each skin evenly with cheese. Place it back into the oven and broil until the cheese has melted.
For the final touch, remove the potato skins from the oven and top each skin with sour cream, diced tomatoes, and a sprinkle of chives. Now, you’re ready to enjoy your healthy and delicious Loaded Potato Skins!
Customizing the Loaded Potato Skins Recipe
One of the best things about this Loaded Potato Skins recipe is its versatility. There are many ways you can customize it to suit your taste buds or dietary needs.
- Protein Boost: If you’re looking to increase your protein intake, consider adding some grilled chicken, turkey bacon or even low-sodium sausage.
- Vegan Version: For a vegan-friendly version, use vegan cheese and a dairy-free sour cream substitute. You could also load up on more veggies like bell peppers, onions or corn for added flavor and nutrition.
- Spice it up: If you enjoy a bit of heat, add some jalapeños or chili flakes to give your potato skins a spicy kick.
- Go Green: Add some green goodness by topping your potato skins with some fresh spinach, kale or arugula. These leafy greens will not only add a pop of color but also a wealth of nutrients.
- Cheese Varieties: While we’ve used low-fat cheese in our recipe, feel free to experiment with different varieties like sharp cheddar, gouda or even blue cheese for a unique twist.
Remember, the key to a healthy diet is balance and moderation. So while it’s perfectly fine to customize your Loaded Potato Skins, try to keep your portions in check and ensure you’re getting a good balance of nutrition in each bite. Refer to the Nutrisystem Grocery Guide for more information on counting add-ins!
Servings: 1
Calories per Serving: 177
On Nutrisystem, Count As: ½ SmartCarb, 1 PowerFuel and 1 Extra
Ingredients:
- 1 small russet potato (3 oz)
- Non-stick zero-calorie cooking spray
- Pepper
- ¼ cup shredded low-fat cheese
- 2 Tbsp. tomatoes, diced
- Pinch of chives
- 1 Tbsp. reduced fat sour cream
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 400 F.
- Pierce potato several times with a fork or knife. Place potato on oven rack and bake until knife easily pierces the potato, about 50 minutes.
- Let potato cool for 10 minutes.
- Slice potato in half lengthwise. Using a spoon, scoop out flesh, leaving about ¼ inch intact (toss remaining flesh or save it for another recipe).
- Spray potato with nonstick spray and season with pepper.
- Broil until crisp, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from oven.
- Fill each skin evenly with cheese, place back into oven and broil until cheese is melted. Remove from oven.
- Top each skin with sour cream, diced tomatoes and a sprinkle of chives.