Ingredients
Vegetables
- 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and cut into ½-inch cubes (about 2 cups)
- 1 small zucchini, diced (about 1 cup)
- 1 medium red bell pepper, diced (about 1 cup)
- 1 small red onion, diced (about 1 cup)
- 4 garlic cloves, minced (about 2 teaspoons)
- 1 cup frozen corn
Protein
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
Other Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons avocado oil
- 1 (15 oz) can fire-roasted tomatoes
- 1 packet taco seasoning (or 3 tablespoons homemade taco seasoning)
- 1 cup Mexican-style or Monterey Jack shredded cheese blend
- Optional for garnish: ⅓ cup chopped fresh cilantro, 3-4 sliced green onions
Instructions
- Heat the Oil: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the avocado oil and swirl to coat the bottom of the pan evenly.
- Cook Sweet Potatoes: Add the diced sweet potato cubes to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, for 4-5 minutes until they begin to soften.
- AddVegetables: Add the diced zucchini, red bell pepper, red onion, and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook for an additional 3-4 minutes until the vegetables become slightly tender but still retain some crispness.
- Separate Ingredients: Push the cooked vegetables to one side of the skillet to make space for the ground beef.
- Cook Ground Beef: Place the ground beef on the empty side of the skillet and cook for 7-9 minutes, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks. Once fully cooked through, drain any excess grease from the pan.
- Add Beans and Seasoning: Reduce heat to medium-low, then stir in the drained black beans, fire-roasted tomatoes with their juice, frozen corn, and taco seasoning. Mix everything thoroughly to combine the flavors.
- Melt Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top of the skillet mixture. Cover the pan with a lid, remove it from the heat, and let it sit for about 2 minutes to allow the cheese to melt completely.
- Serve and Garnish: Remove the lid, garnish with chopped fresh cilantro and sliced green onions if desired, then serve warm.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to reduce excess grease and keep the meal healthier.
- Sweet potatoes add a naturally sweet flavor and a dose of fiber and vitamins.
- Fire-roasted tomatoes add a smoky depth; substitute with regular canned tomatoes if unavailable.
- Adjust seasoning to your taste, especially if using homemade taco seasoning.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with a plant-based ground meat alternative or extra beans.
- To lower calories, use reduced-fat cheese or reduce the cheese amount.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated up to 3 days and reheated on the stovetop or microwave.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
- Diet: Low Fat
