Knock Out Summer Meal-Planning with a Nutritious Make-Ahead Solution

If your summer schedule is already crammed with cross-country trips, social events and activities for the kids, the last thing you likely want to think about is meal-planning.

Fueling up for all those fun moments that summer can bring requires a little extra energy, making North Carolina Sweetpotatoes a family-friendly solution that can enhance both flavor and nutrition in sweet and savory dishes. While you might not be ready to think about next week’s meal plans, these Sweetpotato Meal Prep Jars offer an easy way to give your brain a break.

They’re perfect for grab-and-go lunches during busy workweeks or quick bites over hectic weekends. Packed with beta-carotene antioxidants the body converts to vitamin A for healthy vision, immune defense and skin, sweetpotatoes are a delicious base ingredient. Plus, the fiber in sweetpotatoes supports digestion and steady energy, pairing well with satisfying, protein-packed beef and black beans.

When it’s time to eat, just dump the contents of the jars onto a plate and enjoy complementary flavors without the hassle. This ready-to-eat recipe includes a refreshing pico de gallo dressing that makes it feel like you’re enjoying a fresh-cooked meal.

Find more nutrition-boosting summer solutions at ncsweetpotatoes.com.

Sweetpotato Meal Prep Jars

Recipe courtesy of the North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission    Print Recipe

Ingredients

Dressing:

  • 1/4 cup pico de gallo
  • 3 tablespoons sour cream
  • 1/2 teaspoon taco seasoning

Jars:

  • medium sweetpotatoes chopped
  • olive oil
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons taco seasoning divided
  • 1 pound ground grass-fed beef
  • can black beans rinsed
  • 1/2 cup cooked corn
  • 1/2 cup pico de gallo
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheese
  • 2 cups romaine lettuce chopped

Instructions

  • To make dressing: In medium glass, whisk pico de gallo, sour cream and taco seasoning.
  • Preheat oven to 400 F.
  • Toss sweetpotatoes with olive oil and 1 tablespoon taco seasoning. Spread in even layer on baking sheet and bake 20-25 minutes, tossing halfway.
  • In skillet, brown beef with remaining taco seasoning.
  • Assemble three meal prep jars with dressing on bottom followed by black beans, corn, pico de gallo, cooked beef, cheese, sweetpotatoes and romaine.
  • To serve, dump from jars onto plates.

(Feature Impact)

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