Save A hearty comforting dish featuring tender baked sweet potatoes filled with zesty flavorful chili. Perfect for a wholesome weeknight meal or casual entertaining.
I first made this for a relaxed family dinner and everyone loved customizing their own toppings. It is now our go-to when we want something easy but hearty.
Ingredients
- Sweet Potatoes: 4 medium sweet potatoes scrubbed
- Olive Oil: 1 tablespoon
- Onion: 1 small onion diced
- Garlic: 2 cloves minced
- Bell Pepper: 1 bell pepper diced (any color)
- Ground Beef or Turkey: 1 pound (or use 2 cans black beans for vegetarian)
- Diced Tomatoes: 1 can (15 oz)
- Kidney Beans: 1 can (15 oz) drained and rinsed
- Tomato Paste: 2 tablespoons
- Chili Powder: 1 tablespoon
- Ground Cumin: 1 teaspoon
- Smoked Paprika: 1 teaspoon
- Salt: ½ teaspoon
- Black Pepper: ¼ teaspoon
- Cayenne Pepper: ¼ teaspoon (optional for heat)
- Toppings (Optional): Shredded cheddar cheese sour cream or Greek yogurt sliced green onions chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Bake Sweet Potatoes:
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Pierce each sweet potato several times with a fork. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 50-60 minutes or until tender when pierced with a knife.
- Prepare Chili:
- While sweet potatoes bake heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and bell pepper and saute 4-5 minutes until softened.
- Add Garlic:
- Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
- Brown Meat or Heat Beans:
- Add ground beef (or beans for vegetarian) breaking up meat and cooking until browned. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Simmer Chili:
- Stir in diced tomatoes kidney beans tomato paste chili powder cumin smoked paprika salt pepper and cayenne if using. Simmer uncovered for 15-20 minutes stirring occasionally until thickened.
- Prepare Potatoes:
- When potatoes are tender let cool slightly. Slice each lengthwise gently push open and fluff flesh with a fork.
- Stuff and Serve:
- Spoon a generous amount of chili into each potato. Top with cheese sour cream green onions and cilantro as desired. Serve hot.
Save Everyone loves building their own stuffed sweet potato and it has become a fun staple at family game nights.
Required Tools
Baking sheet large skillet chefs knife cutting board spoon or fork
Allergen Information
Contains dairy if using cheese or sour cream gluten-free as written verify canned goods and toppings are GF check canned beans and tomatoes for additives if sensitive
Nutritional Information
Per serving with beef without cheese or sour cream calories 410 total fat 11 g carbohydrates 54 g protein 22 g
Save This crowd-pleasing recipe is always a hit and works all year round for busy nights or relaxed gatherings.
Recipe FAQs
- → Can I make this dish vegetarian?
Yes, substituting ground meat with black beans creates a delicious vegetarian version while maintaining hearty texture and flavor.
- → How can I speed up the baking time for sweet potatoes?
You can microwave the sweet potatoes for 8-10 minutes before filling to reduce overall cooking time.
- → What spices enhance the chili filling?
Chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper add depth and warmth to the chili mixture.
- → Are there gluten-free options available?
This dish is naturally gluten-free if using canned ingredients without additives; always check labels to confirm.
- → What toppings work best with the chili-stuffed sweet potatoes?
Shredded cheddar, sour cream or Greek yogurt, sliced green onions, and chopped cilantro add creaminess, freshness, and brightness.