Description
Protein Loaded Sweet Potato Boats are a nutritious and hearty meal featuring baked sweet potatoes filled with a savory mixture of seasoned ground meat, black beans, and melted cheese. They’re perfect for a balanced dinner that’s both comforting and packed with protein.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large sweet potatoes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 lb ground turkey or beef
- 1/2 cup black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1/2 cup corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
- 1/2 cup diced bell peppers
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
- Optional toppings: chopped cilantro, Greek yogurt, avocado slices
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Pierce sweet potatoes several times with a fork and bake directly on the oven rack for 45-60 minutes, or until tender.
- While sweet potatoes bake, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, sauté until softened.
- Add ground meat, cooking until browned. Stir in bell peppers, black beans, corn, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Cook for another 5 minutes.
- Remove sweet potatoes from oven and let cool slightly. Slice each in half lengthwise and scoop out some flesh to create a cavity.
- Fill each sweet potato half with the meat and bean mixture, then sprinkle cheese on top.
- Return to oven for 5-10 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish with cilantro, Greek yogurt, and avocado slices if desired. Serve warm.
Notes
- Use ground chicken or plant-based meat for variations.
- For extra protein, add cooked quinoa or lentils to the filling.
- Sweet potatoes can be cooked in the microwave to speed up the process.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sweet potato half
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: protein sweet potato boats, loaded sweet potatoes, healthy dinner, ground meat sweet potato, hearty meal