Description
Cheesy Chili Stuffed Sweet Potatoes combine the natural sweetness of baked sweet potatoes with a hearty, savory chili filling topped with melted cheese. This comforting and flavorful dish is easy to prepare, nutritious, and customizable for various dietary preferences, perfect for weeknight dinners or impressing guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Sweet Potatoes
- 4 medium sweet potatoes
Chili Filling
- 1 tbsp olive oil or butter
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lb ground meat (beef, turkey, or plant-based alternative)
- 1 can (15 oz) beans, drained and rinsed (optional)
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cheese Topping
- 1 to 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, or preferred melty cheese
Optional Garnishes
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt
- Chopped green onions
- Sliced avocado
- Fresh cilantro
- Lime wedges
Instructions
- Bake the Sweet Potatoes: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Pierce each sweet potato several times with a fork. Place them on a baking sheet and bake for 45 to 60 minutes until tender and easily pierced with a fork. This roasting enhances their natural sweetness and creates the perfect base for stuffing.
- Prepare the Chili Filling: While the sweet potatoes bake, heat olive oil or butter in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté the chopped onions and minced garlic until they are fragrant and translucent. Add the ground meat or plant-based alternative and cook until browned. Stir in chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Add beans if desired and let the chili simmer for 15 to 20 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Stuff and Top the Potatoes: When the sweet potatoes are finished baking, carefully slice each lengthwise without cutting all the way through. Gently mash the inside flesh to create a pocket. Spoon generous amounts of chili filling into each potato and top with shredded cheese.
- Melt the Cheese: Return the stuffed sweet potatoes to the oven for 5 to 10 minutes or place them briefly under a broiler until the cheese is melted and bubbly, forming a delicious crust.
- Serve and Enjoy: Remove the potatoes from the oven, add any desired garnishes such as sour cream, avocado slices, or fresh cilantro, and serve hot for a comforting and satisfying meal.
Notes
- Choose medium-sized sweet potatoes for even cooking and easy handling.
- Don’t overfill the potatoes to prevent chili from spilling out during baking.
- Use sharp cheddar cheese for the best melt and flavor balance with the sweet potato.
- Allow the chili to simmer longer for deeper, richer flavors.
- Check sweet potatoes for doneness by piercing with a fork; they should be soft without resistance.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking, Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed sweet potato
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: Cheesy Chili Stuffed Sweet Potatoes, comfort food, baked sweet potatoes, chili recipe, stuffed potatoes, gluten free, vegetarian option, hearty dinner
