If you’re anything like me, quick, easy, and nutritious weeknight dinners are an absolute necessity. This is one of my favorite dinners that is tasty and actually doable after a long work day. These taco stuffed sweet potatoes come together fast, and are the perfect balance of spicy, savory, and a little sweet from the roasted potato. It’s also super customizable depending on what you’ve got in the fridge, so you can add whatever you want. As an added bonus, it makes excellent leftovers, and I’ll share a few of my favorite ways to repurpose them at the end of the post! Whether it’s a chill solo dinner, meal prep for the week, or just something easy but more fun than a boring microwave meal, this the perfect weeknight meal. I hope you enjoy this one as much as I do!
Ingredients
Taco Seasoning
Perfectly fine to substitute this with a taco seasoning packet for an even easier meal. I just prefer to make my own to control the salt and spice level!
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 2 tsp sea salt
- 2 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tsp ground paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp cayenne (adjust to spice preference)
- ½ tsp dried oregano
Taco Meat / Sweet Potatoes
- 2 large sweet potatoes, halved lengthwise
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1–2 jalapeños, finely chopped (adjust to taste)
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- A handful of cherry tomatoes, quartered
- 2–3 tbsp taco seasoning (see above or use a store-bought packet)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Optional Toppings
- Salsa
- Fresh lime juice
- Sliced green onions
- Shredded cheese
- Guacamole
Instructions
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F. While the oven preheats, you can mix up your taco seasoning. It’s perfectly acceptable to use a packet of premade taco seasoning here. For a simple homemade version, combine chili powder, ground cumin, sea salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and dried oregano. Store any leftover seasoning in an airtight jar for future use.
Slice your sweet potatoes in half lengthwise, brush the cut sides with olive oil, and sprinkle them with the taco seasoning. Place the halves cut side down on a foil-lined baking sheet and roast for 30–40 minutes, or until they’re fork-tender and caramelized.
Next, prepare the taco meat. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until it begins to brown. Add in the onion, garlic, jalapeños, and bell pepper, and sauté until the vegetables are softened. Stir in the cherry tomatoes and taco seasoning to taste, adding a splash of water or broth if needed to help everything come together. Let the mixture simmer for a few minutes until it’s rich and flavorful.
Once the sweet potatoes are done, remove them from the oven and let them cool slightly. Use a fork to gently mash the centers and create a little well for the filling. Spoon the taco meat mixture generously into each sweet potato half. Sprinkle salt to taste.
I like to top it off with salsa, a squeeze of fresh lime, and sliced green onions. You can also add extras like shredded cheese, guacamole, etc., depending on your mood. You all will learn very quickly I am not a big cheese fan, so most of my recipes omit cheese, but I will always let you know when and where it can be added. These stuffed sweet potatoes are hearty, flavorful, and totally customizable. Enjoy!
Now it’s time for leftovers! As someone who routinely cooks for one and loves leftovers, meals like this are a great way to repurpose the meat and eat it throughout the week. Some leftover ideas I like to use the meat for:
- Taco Salad – top your favorite lettuce mix with the taco meat and additional toppings of your choice like corn, beans, tortilla strips, avocado, etc.
- Spaghetti and Meat Sauce – mix the leftover meat into spicy tomato or vodka sauce for an extra flavorful spaghetti.
- Breakfast Tacos – mix the taco meat into scrambled eggs and add potatoes for a hearty breakfast.
- Taco Stuffed Bell Peppers – hollow out some bell peppers, fill with the taco meat, bake and top with shredded cheese.
- Loaded Taco Fries – load up some French Fries on a sheet tray with taco meat, cheese, guacamole, and plenty of green onions. I like to dip these in queso or spicy ketchup.
I’ve made this recipe at least 3 weeks in a row and love it every time. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do! 🙂
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