Creamy Sweet Potato Recipe

Homemade Sweet Potato Recipe: Cozy Comfort on a Plate

Comfort arrives in unexpected packages, and this delectable sweet potato recipe promises a culinary journey that warms both heart and appetite.

Rustic and wholesome, these golden-hued tubers bring earthy richness to any meal.

Seasonal ingredients dance together, creating a symphony of flavors that tantalize taste buds.

Soft, creamy interiors nestle beneath caramelized edges, offering a perfect balance of textures.

Simple yet sophisticated, this dish requires minimal effort but delivers maximum satisfaction.

From weeknight dinners to special gatherings, this sweet potato creation stands ready to impress.

Let’s find out a plate of pure, comforting deliciousness that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 320 kcal

Servings: 5

Building Blocks of a Great Sweet Potato Dish

For Base Ingredient:
  • Sweet Potato: Hearty root vegetable that provides a creamy, rich foundation with natural sweetness and robust nutrition.
For Dairy and Creamy Elements:
  • Cheddar Cheese, Sour Cream: Tangy dairy components that add luxurious creaminess, melting smoothly and delivering sharp flavor complexity.
For Fresh Flavor Boosters:
  • Cilantro, White Onion: Vibrant herbs and aromatics that introduce bright, crisp notes and enhance overall taste profile with their zesty character.
For Serving and Texture:
  • Corn Chips, Tortilla Chips: Crunchy vessels that complement the soft sweet potato base, providing delightful textural contrast and perfect scooping mechanism for the dish.

Tools for Roasting or Mashing Sweet Potatoes

  • Large pot: Essential for browning beef and simmering chili.
  • Cutting board: Needed for chopping vegetables and preparing ingredients.
  • Chef's knife: Perfect for dicing sweet potato, onion, and mincing garlic.
  • Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients.
  • Measuring spoons: Helps accurately add spices like chili powder and cumin.
  • Can opener: Required for opening crushed tomatoes and kidney beans.
  • Plate: Used to hold browned beef temporarily during cooking.
  • Colander: Helpful for draining kidney beans before adding to chili.

Simple Sweet Potato Prep for Any Occasion

  • Prep Ingredients

Gather all components for a hearty, flavorful stew. Chop sweet potatoes into bite-sized chunks, slice onions, and mince garlic for a robust base.

  • Meat Foundation

Brown beef in a spacious pot, creating a rich caramelized layer that adds depth to the dish. Remove meat and set aside, preserving those delicious meat juices.

  • Aromatic Layers

Sauté onions until translucent, then introduce garlic. Sprinkle in a blend of warm spices like chili powder, cumin, and paprika to awaken the senses.

  • Liquid Symphony

Pour in crushed tomatoes and kidney beans. Add sweet potatoes and let the mixture simmer gently, allowing flavors to meld and potatoes to soften into creamy perfection.

  • Final Touch

Taste and adjust seasonings. Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh herbs or a dollop of sour cream for a comforting meal that hugs the soul.

Ways to Elevate Sweet Potatoes with Flavor

  • Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese, dollop sour cream, or add fresh chopped cilantro to elevate this chili's flavor profile and make each bite more exciting.
  • Replace ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles for a lighter alternative that still delivers rich, robust taste and nutritional variety.
  • Adjust the heat by reducing or increasing chipotle pepper and chili powder – start mild and gradually build intensity to match your personal spice tolerance.
  • Transfer all ingredients to a slow cooker after browning beef and let it simmer on low for 6-8 hours, creating a hands-off meal perfect for busy days with deep, developed flavors.
  • This chili tastes even better the next day as flavors meld together, so make extra and enjoy delicious reheated portions that become more complex and rich overnight.

Serving Ideas for Sweet Potato Favorites

  • Southwest Fiesta Bowl: Create a vibrant bowl by layering the chili over fluffy white rice or quinoa, topped with fresh cilantro and a dollop of cool sour cream.
  • Nacho Chili Platter: Transform the chili into a crowd-pleasing appetizer by spooning it over crispy tortilla chips, sprinkled with shredded cheddar cheese and chopped green onions.
  • Hearty Bread Companion: Serve alongside warm, crusty cornbread or toasted sourdough slices to soak up the rich, spicy chili sauce and add a delightful textural contrast.
  • Clean Eating Wrap: Roll the chili into large lettuce leaves or whole wheat tortillas for a lighter, portable meal packed with southwestern flavors and protein.

Storage Solutions for Sweet Potatoes

  • Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover chili in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cool completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.
  • Freezing Magic: Transfer chili to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty bags, removing excess air. Freeze for up to 3 months, creating a delicious emergency meal that maintains its robust flavors and tender sweet potato chunks.
  • Reheating Perfection: Thaw refrigerated chili in the fridge overnight, then warm gently in a pot over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally to distribute heat evenly and prevent scorching, adding a splash of water if the mixture seems dry.
  • Smart Portion Control: Divide chili into individual serving sizes before storing. This approach allows quick defrosting of exactly the amount needed, reducing waste and making meal prep a breeze for busy weeknights or quick lunches.
Print
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Creamy Sweet Potato Recipe

Creamy Sweet Potato Recipe


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4.8 from 24 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Hearty and comforting sweet potato casserole combines traditional Southern flavors with modern culinary flair. Creamy mashed potatoes topped with crunchy pecans deliver a delightful contrast you’ll savor with each satisfying bite.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 sweet potato
  • 1 cup (240 ml) shredded cheddar cheese
  • ½ cup (120 ml) sour cream
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) chopped fresh cilantro
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) reserved chopped white onion
  • Corn chips or tortilla chips (as needed)

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Peel and cube sweet potatoes into uniform 1/2-inch pieces. Finely chop onions, mince garlic, and slice chipotle pepper. Drain and rinse kidney beans.
  2. Meat Browning: In a large heavy-bottomed pot, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Cook ground beef until completely browned, breaking into small crumbles. Transfer beef to a clean plate.
  3. Aromatic Base: Using the same pot, sauté onions until translucent and golden. Add garlic and cook briefly to release fragrant oils.
  4. Spice Integration: Introduce sweet potatoes, chipotle, brown sugar, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, and kosher salt. Stir to evenly coat vegetables with spices.
  5. Liquid Combination: Return browned beef to the pot. Add crushed tomatoes and kidney beans, stirring thoroughly to blend all ingredients.
  6. Simmering Process: Bring mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce heat to low. Simmer uncovered for 25-35 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sweet potatoes reach desired tenderness.
  7. Final Touches: Adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or spices to taste. Serve piping hot, garnished with optional fresh cilantro, sour cream, or shredded cheese.

Notes

  • Dice Precisely: Cut sweet potatoes into uniform 1/2-inch cubes to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.
  • Control Spice Level: Remove chipotle pepper seeds for milder heat or keep them for an extra kick, allowing personalized spiciness.
  • Develop Flavor Layers: Sauté onions and garlic separately before adding other ingredients to build a rich, deep flavor foundation.
  • Watch Potato Texture: Simmer carefully to achieve tender sweet potatoes without turning them mushy, checking doneness periodically during cooking.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Dinner
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 320
  • Sugar: 3g
  • Sodium: 450mg
  • Fat: 20g
  • Saturated Fat: 12g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 30g
  • Fiber: 4g
  • Protein: 10g
  • Cholesterol: 40mg
Sophie Reynolds

Sophie Reynolds

Co-Founder, Recipe Curator & Culinary Educator

Expertise

  • Home Cooking Innovation & Comfort Recipes
  • Flavor Development & Ingredient Pairing
  • Seasonal Produce Integration
  • Recipe Testing & Instructional Clarity
  • Culinary Education & Community Workshops

Education

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, Boulder, CO

  • Degree: Diploma in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Hands-on training in classic and modern culinary techniques, emphasizing sustainable cooking practices, kitchen professionalism, and real-world restaurant experience through externships.

Oregon State University

  • Degree: B.S. in Nutrition and Food Management
  • Focus: In-depth study of human nutrition, food safety, meal planning, and food-service operations, with a strong foundation in public health, dietetics, and community-based nutrition programs.

Sophie Reynolds is the recipe developer and culinary voice behind many of the approachable, flavor-focused creations at The Dream Café. 

Sophie’s style leans into comfort food made simple: wholesome, satisfying meals anyone can make with confidence. Her passion lies in helping home cooks feel at ease in the kitchen while finding joy in the everyday act of cooking.

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