Ingredients

1 pound ground beef
1/4 cup olive oil , divided
4 zucchini , cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 red bell pepper , chopped
1 jalapeno pepper , seeded and chopped
4 cloves garlic , minced
4 green onions , chopped -- white and green parts separated
salt and pepper to taste
3 tablespoons tomato paste
4 teaspoons chili powder , or to taste
2 teaspoons ground cumin , or to taste
1 can black beans , rinsed and drained
1 can kidney beans , rinsed and drained
1 cup frozen corn , thawed
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese , divided
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Tex-Mex Squash Bake is a simple and hearty dish that combines the flavors of Mexican cuisine with fresh vegetables. It is a balanced meal that is perfect for any day of the week. Zucchini, bell pepper, and jalapeno add a fresh and subtle heat to this dish, while lean beef and beans provide protein and fiber. You can also customize the recipe with different vegetables or spices to make it your own. This Tex-Mex Squash Bake is perfect for a weeknight family dinner or potluck. It is filling and budget-friendly as well.

Instructions

1.Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2.In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat.
3.Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up into small pieces as it cooks.
4.Add zucchini, bell pepper, jalapeno, garlic, and white parts of green onions to the skillet and continue to cook for 5-7 minutes or until vegetables have softened.
5.Season with salt and pepper.
6.Stir in tomato paste, chili powder, and cumin until vegetables are coated evenly with spices.
7.Add both cans of beans and corn to skillet and stir well.
8.Remove skillet from heat and sprinkle with 1/4 cup of parmesan cheese and green parts of green onions.
9.Transfer mixture to a 9x13-inch baking dish.
10.Drizzle with remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
11.Top with remaining 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese.
12.Bake for 20-25 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
13.Sprinkle with fresh cilantro before serving.

PROS

Tex-Mex Squash Bake is an easy and flavorful way to enjoy vegetables and lean protein.

It is filling and budget-friendly as well.

CONS

This dish may be spicy for some and can be high in sodium content due to canned beans and tomato paste.

HEALTH & BENEFITS

This dish is a great source of protein and fiber from lean beef, beans, and vegetables.
It is low in fat due to the use of lean ground beef and olive oil, which is a healthy fat.
The vegetables used in this recipe provide essential vitamins and minerals like Vitamins A and C.

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