Description
Taco Stuffed Sweet Potatoes combine the natural sweetness of tender microwaved sweet potatoes with a savory, spiced ground beef filling. This recipe offers a balanced meal bursting with bold Mexican-inspired flavors, topped with melty mozzarella, fresh tomatoes, creamy avocado, and tangy sour cream. Ready in just 40 minutes, it’s a delicious and easy way to enjoy a nutritious and satisfying dish perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Mixture
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 white onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 1/2 tsp ground paprika
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/4 tsp dried oregano
- 1 cup chunky salsa
- 1/2 cup water
Sweet Potatoes and Toppings
- 4 medium sweet potatoes
- Shredded mozzarella (about 1 cup)
- Diced tomatoes (1/2 cup)
- Mashed avocado (1 medium avocado)
- Sour cream (1/2 cup)
Instructions
- Cook the Sweet Potatoes: Poke holes all over the sweet potatoes with a fork to allow steam to escape while cooking.
- Microwave the Sweet Potatoes: Place the pierced sweet potatoes in a microwave-safe dish with a small amount of water. Microwave on high for 10 minutes. If the potatoes are not fully tender, continue microwaving for an additional 5 minutes.
- Prepare the Beef Mixture: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, chopped onion, and minced garlic. Cook for 5-7 minutes until beef is browned and onions are softened. Drain any excess grease.
- Season the Beef: Add chili powder, ground cumin, sea salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, crushed red pepper flakes, and dried oregano to the beef mixture. Stir well to evenly coat the beef with spices.
- Simmer with Salsa: Stir in the chunky salsa and water, lower the heat to medium-low, and let the mixture simmer for approximately 5 minutes. Stir occasionally to allow flavors to meld and sauce to thicken slightly.
- Prepare the Sweet Potatoes for Stuffing: Once sweet potatoes are cooked, allow them to cool slightly so they can be handled. Carefully cut each sweet potato lengthwise, being cautious to avoid cutting all the way through.
- Fluff the Sweet Potato Flesh: Use a fork to gently fluff and loosen the inside of each sweet potato to create space for filling.
- Assemble the Stuffed Sweet Potatoes: Spoon the simmered beef mixture evenly into each fluffed sweet potato.
- Add Toppings: Top each stuffed sweet potato with shredded mozzarella, diced tomatoes, mashed avocado, and a dollop of sour cream to finish.
Notes
- Microwave times may vary depending on the size of sweet potatoes and microwave wattage; adjust accordingly.
- Lean ground beef helps reduce grease but you can use ground turkey or chicken as alternatives.
- For extra heat, add more crushed red pepper flakes or hot sauce to the beef mixture.
- Sweet potatoes can also be cooked in the oven (baked at 400°F for 45-60 mins) if preferred instead of microwaving.
- Feel free to add other toppings like chopped cilantro, jalapeños, or shredded lettuce for texture variety.
- To make this recipe dairy-free, omit the mozzarella and sour cream or substitute with vegan alternatives.
