Guest Post: Hot Mexican Dip from Lightlife

Hey guys! Happy Friday. :) Today's post is brought to you by Meredith Kimelblatt on behalf of Lightlife®. I'm a big fan of their vegetarian and vegan products, and I thought this dip would be perfect for enjoying during the Pats game on Sunday. Enjoy!

You probably thought you were past heavy-eating season now that the holidays are over, right? But between college bowl games, the NFL playoffs, and the Super Bowl in early Februrary, the same dips and goodies that were present at your holiday spreads always seem to reappear during January and Februrary. If your New Year’s resolution this year was something along the lines of eating healthier or eating more vegetarian diet food, don’t worry! It’s definitely possible to enjoy winter get-togethers and delicious foods while still keeping your body feeling great—and you won’t even feel like you’re eating healthy!

This Hot Mexican Dip is a great example of a stereotypically “bad for you” dip that’s been lightened up a bit. Not only is this dip vegetarian and only 126 calories per serving, but it’s also incredibly delicious. The kick from the mix of green chilies, onion powder and chili powder, and the combination of soy ground beef and beans makes it hearty enough to fool even your most carnivorous friends. Play around with spices to fit your taste preferences and feel free to experiment with different soy cheese options to find your favorite. If you’re a tomato fan, adding some diced tomatoes or salsa to the top after it comes out of the oven gives this dip another layer of flavor and freshness. Try it out the next time you have company over for a healthier alternative to traditional taco dip. Enjoy!

Photo Credit: Lightlife®

Hot Mexican Dip (from Lightlife®)
Yields: 15 servings
-1 package (12 ounces) Smart Ground® Original
-1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
-1 teaspoon onion powder

-1 tablespoon olive oil
-1 can (16 ounces) fat-free refried beans
-1 can (4 ounces) diced green chilies
-3/4 cup taco sauce
-2 cups shredded reduced-fat Mexican cheese blend
-1 cup Greek yogurt or light sour cream
-1/3 cup green onions

Directions:
1.) Crumble Smart Ground® into a large bowl. Add chili powder and onion powder; set aside.
In a 13x9x2 baking dish coated with olive oil, layer the beans, Smart Ground Original mixture, green chilies, taco sauce and 1-1/2 cup cheese.
2.) Cover and bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes or until the cheese melts and bubbles around the edges.
Cool for 5 minutes. Spread yogurt or sour cream on top; sprinkle with green onions and remaining cheese. Serve with sliced veggies, tortilla chips or pita chips.

Did you make any resolutions for the new year? If yes, what were they?

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