Black Bean Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

1.

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for the sweet potatoes.

2.

Pierce the sweet potatoes with a fork all over, then place them on the baking sheet and bake for about 45 minutes until tender.

3.

While the sweet potatoes are baking, heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat, and add the onion and garlic to sauté.

4.

Add the red bell pepper to the pan and continue to sauté until the vegetables are soft, about 5 more minutes.

5.

Stir in the black beans, cumin, chili powder, and salt, cooking until the mixture is heated through and fragrant.

6.

Remove the pan from heat and add lime juice and cilantro to the mixture, stirring well to combine all the flavors.

7.

Once sweet potatoes are done baking, slice them in half lengthwise, and scoop out a portion of the flesh to create space.

8.

Fill the sweet potatoes with the black bean mixture and top with shredded cheddar cheese to finish the stuffing.

9.

Return the stuffed sweet potatoes to the oven to melt the cheese, which should take about 5-10 minutes.

10.

Serve immediately, optionally garnished with extra cilantro or a squeeze of lime for added freshness and flavor.