Quick & Cozy Sweet Potato Recipe for Comfort Food Lovers

Sweet potatoes offer a vibrant culinary canvas that revolutionizes ordinary meals into extraordinary experiences.

These copper-skinned root vegetables burst with natural sweetness and complex nutritional profiles that elevate any recipe.

Versatile and packed with vitamins, sweet potatoes shine across global cuisines with their creamy texture and warm, earthy undertones.

Nutritionists praise their remarkable health benefits, from supporting immune function to providing sustained energy throughout the day.

Each bite delivers a luxurious blend of subtle sweetness and robust, hearty flavors that dance across your palate.

Rich in antioxidants and fiber, these underground treasures represent more than just a side dish—they’re a nutritional powerhouse waiting to be revolutionizeed.

You’ll fall in love with their incredible potential to turn simple meals into memorable culinary adventures.

Best Pairings for Sweet Potato Dishes

• Pair with Bold Red Wine: A robust Zinfandel or Syrah complements the rich, spicy flavors of this hearty sweet potato chili, cutting through the beef's intensity and enhancing the smoky chipotle notes.
• Serve with Cornbread Sidekick: Soft, slightly sweet cornbread provides a perfect textural contrast and helps balance the chili's spiciness, soaking up the delicious sauce while adding a comforting touch.
• Cool Down with Tangy Sour Cream: A dollop of creamy, tangy sour cream on top neutralizes the heat, adds a refreshing element, and creates a beautiful visual and flavor contrast with the deep, rustic chili.
• Craft Beer Companion: A hoppy IPA or amber ale stands up to the bold spices, with its crisp carbonation and malty undertones matching the chili's complex flavor profile and hearty character.

Fun Twists on Sweet Potatoes

• Veggie Powerhouse: Replace beef with plant-based protein like tempeh or lentils for a hearty vegetarian chili packed with nutrients and flavor.
• Spicy Caribbean Bowl: Incorporate scotch bonnet peppers, allspice, and coconut milk to transform the chili into a Caribbean-inspired stew with bold, tropical notes.
• Slow Cooker Comfort: Transfer all ingredients to a slow cooker after browning beef, allowing the chili to simmer on low for 6-8 hours, developing rich, deep flavors and creating a hands-off meal preparation.
• Southwest Green Chile Version: Swap crushed tomatoes with roasted green chiles, add corn kernels, and top with queso fresco for a southwestern-style chili with bright, tangy undertones.

Sweet Potato: Nutritious, Hearty, and Versatile

• Spice Up Your Comfort: This hearty chili delivers bold, smoky flavors with chipotle and warming spices that transform a simple sweet potato dish into a mouthwatering meal.
• One-Pot Wonder: Effortlessly prepare a complete, nutritious dinner using just a single pot, minimizing cleanup and maximizing convenience for busy home cooks.
• Nutrient-Packed Powerhouse: Loaded with protein from beef, fiber-rich sweet potatoes, and kidney beans, this recipe offers a balanced, satisfying meal that supports healthy eating without sacrificing taste.
• Quick and Customizable: Ready in under an hour, this chili welcomes endless topping variations like cheese, sour cream, or fresh cilantro, making it perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings.

Must-Have Ingredients for Sweet Potato Dishes

• Beef: A hearty meat that provides rich flavor and protein for the stew.
• Kidney Beans: Protein-packed legumes that add texture and substance to the dish.

• Sweet Potato, Onion, Garlic: Classic flavor base with natural sweetness and depth.
• Chipotle Pepper: Smoky and spicy pepper that brings intense heat and complexity.

• Sugar, Chili Powder, Cumin, Paprika, Oregano, Salt: Blend of spices that create a balanced and robust flavor profile.
• Crushed Tomatoes: Provides moisture and tangy base for the stew.
• Olive Oil: Helps with sautéing and adds subtle richness to the dish.

How to Cook Perfect Sweet Potato

Step 1: Prepare Ingredients

Peel and dice sweet potato and onion. Mince garlic, chop chipotle pepper, and drain kidney beans.

• Sweet potato
• Onion
• Garlic
• Chipotle pepper
• Kidney beans

Step 2: Brown the Beef

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Brown the beef thoroughly, then transfer to a separate plate.

Step 3: Build the Flavor Base

• Sweet potato
• Chipotle pepper
• Sugar
• Chili powder
• Cumin
• Paprika
• Oregano
• Salt

Step 4: Combine and Simmer

Add crushed tomatoes and kidney beans to the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes until sweet potatoes become tender.

Step 5: Final Touch

Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Serve hot with your favorite chili toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, or chopped cilantro.

Tips for the Best Sweet Potato Texture

• Cube Precisely: Cut sweet potatoes into uniform 1/2-inch pieces to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the chili.
• Brown Meat Perfectly: Sear beef at high heat to develop rich, caramelized flavors that enhance the overall depth of the dish.
• Control Spice Level: Adjust chipotle pepper quantity based on personal heat preference, starting with less and adding more gradually.
• Simmer Strategically: Keep chili at a gentle simmer to prevent burning and allow flavors to meld together beautifully while sweet potatoes become tender.
• Enhance Toppings: Experiment with garnishes like fresh cilantro, sour cream, shredded cheese, or diced avocado to add extra layers of flavor and texture.

How to Keep Sweet Potatoes Fresh for Later

• Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container within two hours of cooking. Store the chili in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, ensuring it's completely cooled before sealing the container.
• Freeze portions in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags for long-term storage. Label containers with the date and contents, where the chili will keep well for 3-4 months without losing flavor or quality.
• Reheat refrigerated chili in the microwave or on the stovetop, stirring occasionally to distribute heat evenly. Add a splash of water or broth if the chili seems dry, helping restore its original moisture and prevent scorching. Ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F for safe consumption, using a food thermometer to check.

Sweet Potato Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Creamy Southern sweet potato casserole celebrates comfort and tradition with marshmallow-topped goodness. Rich, buttery layers of mashed sweet potatoes offer pure Southern hospitality that draws family and friends closer around the holiday table.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 sweet potato
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• ½ cup sour cream
• ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
• ¼ cup reserved chopped white onion

Garnish/Serving:

• Corn chips or tortilla chips (as needed)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Peel sweet potatoes and dice into uniform cubes (approximately 1/2 inch). Finely chop onions and mince garlic cloves. Drain and rinse kidney beans thoroughly.
2. Slice chipotle pepper into small, uniform pieces, removing seeds if preferring less heat.
3. Heat olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Brown ground beef until fully cooked and no pink remains, breaking into small crumbles. Remove browned beef and set aside on a clean plate.
4. In the same pot, sauté chopped onions until translucent and slightly golden, approximately 3-4 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
5. Introduce diced sweet potatoes, chopped chipotle pepper, brown sugar, chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, and kosher salt. Stir to combine and coat vegetables with spices.
6. Return browned beef to the pot. Pour in crushed tomatoes and kidney beans. Stir ingredients thoroughly to integrate.
7. Bring mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce heat to low. Simmer uncovered for 25-35 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sweet potatoes become tender but not mushy.
8. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or spices as needed. Serve hot with optional garnishes like fresh cilantro, sour cream, or shredded cheese.

Notes

• Choose tender, fresh sweet potatoes for the best flavor and texture.
• Browning beef first creates a rich, deep base for the chili’s complex taste.
• Sautéing onions and garlic releases aromatic oils that enhance overall depth.
• Allowing chili to simmer slowly helps ingredients meld and develop robust flavors.
• Customize toppings like cilantro, sour cream, or shredded cheese for personal flair.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 540 kcal
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 36g
• Saturated Fat: 20g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 40g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 18g
• Cholesterol: 80mg