Looking for a comforting, healthy, and easy-to-make meal? This Sweet Potato Chili Casserole is the perfect dish for cozy nights in! Packed with layers of seasoned ground beef, black beans, sweet potatoes, and a flavorful blend of spices, this casserole offers a satisfying, one-dish meal that’s sure to please the whole family.
Ingredients:
1 lb ground beef or turkey
1 medium onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 large sweet potato, peeled and diced
1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes
1 cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned and drained)
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 1/2 cups tomato sauce
1 tablespoon chili powder
Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
1 teaspoon cumin
1 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
Directions:
Preheat Oven:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prepare it for the casserole.
Cook the Ground Beef:
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef or turkey with the diced onion until the beef is browned and the onion is soft. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute, allowing the flavors to blend. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
Add Seasonings and Vegetables:
Stir in the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper to the beef mixture. Mix well to combine all the seasonings. Add the diced sweet potatoes, black beans, diced tomatoes, corn kernels, and tomato sauce to the skillet. Stir everything together, letting it simmer for about 5-7 minutes, until the sweet potatoes begin to soften.
Assemble the Casserole:
Transfer the beef and vegetable mixture into your prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Top with a generous amount of shredded cheese.
Bake the Casserole:
Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are tender. Once done, remove the foil and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes to melt the cheese and make it golden and bubbly.
Serve and Enjoy:
Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro and serve hot. This casserole pairs wonderfully with tortilla chips or a side salad for a complete meal.
Serving Tips:
Pair with Sides: This casserole is filling on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a side salad or crispy tortilla chips for extra crunch. You can also serve it with cornbread or a slice of crusty bread for a more complete meal.
Toppings: Add a dollop of sour cream, a sprinkle of shredded cheese, or a squeeze of fresh lime for an extra burst of flavor. Avocado slices or a handful of fresh cilantro also make great garnishes.
Serve as a Main or Side: While this casserole makes an excellent main dish, it can also be served as a side dish alongside grilled chicken, steak, or roasted vegetables for a larger spread.
Make It a Burrito Bowl: For a fun twist, serve the casserole over a bed of rice, or with tortilla strips, to turn it into a hearty burrito bowl. You can also top it with salsa or guacamole.
Storage Tips:
Refrigeration:
Store any leftover casserole in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Make sure the casserole has cooled completely before storing it to avoid excess moisture buildup.
Freezing:
You can freeze this casserole for longer storage. To freeze, wrap the casserole tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or place it in a freezer-safe airtight container. It will stay fresh for up to 2-3 months. For best results, freeze before baking (assemble and freeze without cheese, and add the cheese when baking).
Reheating:
To reheat, you can bake the casserole in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 20-30 minutes, until heated through. If you’ve frozen the casserole, allow it to thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. You can also microwave individual portions for 1-2 minutes, or until hot.
Meal Prep:
This casserole is perfect for meal prepping. You can prepare it in advance, bake it, and then divide it into individual servings. Store them in meal prep containers for a quick, delicious lunch or dinner throughout the week.
Related Recipes:
FAQs:
Can I make Sweet Potato Chili Casserole ahead of time?
Yes! This casserole is great for meal prep. You can prepare the entire dish, cover it tightly, and store it in the fridge for up to 1 day before baking. Alternatively, you can assemble it, then freeze it (before baking) for up to 2-3 months. When you’re ready to bake, thaw it in the fridge overnight and then follow the baking instructions.
Can I use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef?
Absolutely! Ground turkey or chicken are great substitutes for ground beef. They offer a lighter, leaner option while still providing plenty of protein. Just be sure to season well to ensure the casserole has the same flavorful punch!
Is it possible to make this recipe vegetarian or vegan?
Yes! To make this casserole vegetarian or vegan, simply omit the meat and add more beans (black beans, kidney beans, or pinto beans work well) and veggies. You can also use a plant-based cheese substitute if you’re following a vegan diet. The rest of the ingredients are naturally vegetarian and can easily be modified to suit your dietary preferences.
How can I adjust the spice level of the casserole?
The spice level of this casserole can be easily adjusted to suit your taste. If you prefer a milder dish, reduce the amount of chili powder and smoked paprika. For more heat, add some diced jalapeños, a pinch of cayenne pepper, or a hotter chili powder variety. You can also top the casserole with a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt to cool it down if it’s too spicy.
Conclusion:
This Sweet Potato Chili Casserole is not only delicious but also a nutritious meal full of fiber, vitamins, and protein. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or looking for a meal prep option, this casserole is guaranteed to be a hit!
📖 Recipe:
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Sweet Potato Chili Casserole
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6 servings
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Sweet Potato Chili Casserole is the perfect one-dish meal for cozy nights. Layers of seasoned ground beef, sweet potatoes, black beans, and a variety of spices create a comforting and hearty casserole. Topped with melted cheese and garnished with fresh cilantro, this easy casserole recipe is sure to become a family favorite. Perfect for dinner, meal prep, or even a crowd-pleasing dish for gatherings.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef or turkey
1 medium onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 large sweet potato, peeled and diced
1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes
1 cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned and drained)
1 1/2 cups tomato sauce
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion until the beef is browned and the onion is soft. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Drain excess fat.
- Stir in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Add diced sweet potato, black beans, diced tomatoes, corn, and tomato sauce. Simmer for 5-7 minutes until sweet potatoes begin to soften.
- Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly. Top with shredded cheese.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until sweet potatoes are tender. Remove foil and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve warm. Enjoy!
Notes
For a spicier version, add diced jalapeños or increase the amount of chili powder.
If you prefer a vegetarian version, swap out the ground beef for more beans or lentils.
This casserole can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for 1-2 days before baking.
Feel free to substitute the cheddar cheese with a dairy-free or plant-based alternative if needed.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Casserole, Comfort Food
- Method: Baking, Sautéing
- Cuisine: American, Tex-Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6 servings
