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
- 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.
- 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.
- Aromatic Base: Using the same pot, sauté onions until translucent and golden. Add garlic and cook briefly to release fragrant oils.
- Spice Integration: Introduce sweet potatoes, chipotle, brown sugar, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, and kosher salt. Stir to evenly coat vegetables with spices.
- Liquid Combination: Return browned beef to the pot. Add crushed tomatoes and kidney beans, stirring thoroughly to blend all ingredients.
- 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.
- 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