Baked Sweet Potato Chili

Featured in: Cozy Dinner Plates

This dish features tender sweet potatoes baked until soft and then filled with a rich, zesty chili made from ground meat or beans simmered with tomatoes, spices, and vegetables. Topped optionally with cheese and fresh garnishes, it creates a comforting and flavorful dinner that’s easy to prepare and customizable. Ideal for a wholesome weeknight option or casual gatherings, it balances hearty textures with vibrant seasoning in every bite.

Updated on Tue, 18 Nov 2025 10:19:00 GMT
Golden, fluffy baked sweet potatoes overflowing with savory, rich chili, ready to eat. Save
Golden, fluffy baked sweet potatoes overflowing with savory, rich chili, ready to eat. | frizplo.com

A hearty, comforting dish featuring tender baked sweet potatoes filled with zesty, flavorful chili. Perfect for a wholesome weeknight meal or casual entertaining.

This stuffed sweet potato recipe became a favorite in my kitchen after experimenting with ways to use up leftover chili. The combination of creamy sweet potato and hearty chili is always a crowd-pleaser, even for picky eaters in my family.

Ingredients

  • Sweet Potatoes: 4 medium sweet potatoes, scrubbed
  • Olive Oil: 1 tablespoon
  • Onion: 1 small, diced
  • Garlic: 2 cloves, minced
  • Bell Pepper: 1, diced (any color)
  • Ground Beef or Turkey: 1 pound or 2 cans (15 oz each) 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 (optional): ¼ teaspoon, for heat
  • Shredded Cheddar Cheese (Optional): for topping
  • Sour Cream or Greek Yogurt (Optional): for topping
  • Sliced Green Onions (Optional): for topping
  • Chopped Cilantro (Optional): for topping

Instructions

Preheat Oven:
Set oven to 400°F (200°C). Pierce sweet potatoes with a fork. Bake on a sheet for 50-60 minutes, until tender when pierced.
Prepare Chili:
While sweet potatoes bake, heat olive oil in skillet over medium. Add onion and bell pepper, cook for 4-5 minutes until softened.
Add Garlic:
Stir in garlic, cook 1 minute.
Cook Meat or Beans:
Add ground meat or beans, break up meat and brown. Drain fat if needed.
Simmer Chili:
Add diced tomatoes, kidney beans, tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and cayenne (if using). Simmer 15-20 minutes uncovered, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
Slice Potatoes:
Let baked potatoes cool slightly. Slice lengthwise, gently open, fluff flesh with fork.
Assemble:
Spoon chili inside potatoes. Top as desired with cheese, sour cream, green onions, and cilantro. Serve hot.
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This recipe reminds me of chilly weeknights spent with my kids, loading sweet potatoes with their favorite toppings and sharing laughter at the table.

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 (check canned goods and toppings for sensitivities).

Nutritional Information

Calories: 410. Total Fat: 11 g. Carbohydrates: 54 g. Protein: 22 g (per serving with beef, no cheese or sour cream).

Steaming baked sweet potato stuffed with chili, topped with vibrant green onions and a dollop of cool sour cream. Save
Steaming baked sweet potato stuffed with chili, topped with vibrant green onions and a dollop of cool sour cream. | frizplo.com

Finish your stuffed sweet potatoes with fresh herbs and serve hot for the best taste. This makes a satisfying meal everyone will love.

Baked Sweet Potato Chili

Tender baked sweet potatoes stuffed with zesty chili, offering a hearty, comforting meal.

Prep duration
15 min
Time to cook
60 min
Complete duration
75 min
Created by Madison Young

Classification Cozy Dinner Plates

Complexity Level Easy

Cultural Origin American

Output 4 Portion Count

Dietary requirements Meat-Free, No Gluten

Components

Sweet Potatoes

01 4 medium sweet potatoes, scrubbed

Chili Filling

01 1 tablespoon olive oil
02 1 small onion, diced
03 2 garlic cloves, minced
04 1 bell pepper, diced
05 1 pound ground beef or turkey; or 2 cans (15 oz each) black beans for vegetarian
06 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes
07 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
08 2 tablespoons tomato paste
09 1 tablespoon chili powder
10 1 teaspoon ground cumin
11 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
12 ½ teaspoon salt
13 ¼ teaspoon black pepper
14 ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

Toppings (Optional)

01 Shredded cheddar cheese
02 Sour cream or Greek yogurt
03 Sliced green onions
04 Chopped cilantro

Directions

Step 01

Bake Sweet Potatoes: Preheat oven to 400°F. Pierce each sweet potato several times with a fork, place on a baking sheet, and bake for 50 to 60 minutes until tender when pierced.

Step 02

Sauté Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and bell pepper, sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until softened.

Step 03

Add Garlic: Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 additional minute.

Step 04

Cook Protein: Add ground beef or turkey, breaking it apart as it browns. Drain excess fat if necessary. For vegetarian option, add beans instead.

Step 05

Simmer Chili: Incorporate diced tomatoes, kidney beans, tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and optional cayenne. Simmer uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally until thickened and flavors meld.

Step 06

Prepare Potatoes for Filling: Once tender, allow sweet potatoes to cool slightly. Slice each lengthwise, gently open, and fluff the flesh with a fork.

Step 07

Fill and Serve: Spoon chili generously into each sweet potato. Add optional toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, green onions, and cilantro. Serve warm.

Necessary tools

  • Baking sheet
  • Large skillet
  • Chef's knife
  • Cutting board
  • Fork or spoon

Allergy details

Review each component for potential allergens and seek professional healthcare advice if you're uncertain.
  • Contains dairy if cheese or sour cream are added
  • Gluten-free as long as canned products and toppings are verified gluten-free

Nutritional breakdown (per portion)

These values are provided as estimates only and shouldn't replace professional medical guidance.
  • Energy Content: 410
  • Fats: 11 g
  • Carbohydrates: 54 g
  • Proteins: 22 g