Baked Sweet Potato Chili

Featured in: Cozy Weeknight Meals

Enjoy tender baked sweet potatoes generously filled with a rich, flavorful chili made from ground beef or beans, tomatoes, and spices. This dish balances gentle sweetness and bold seasonings, perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner. Optional toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, and fresh herbs add creamy and fresh contrasts. Vegan and gluten-free adaptations make it versatile and inclusive.

Updated on Tue, 18 Nov 2025 12:58:00 GMT
Steaming baked sweet potato stuffed with chili, topped with vibrant green onions and creamy sour cream. Save
Steaming baked sweet potato stuffed with chili, topped with vibrant green onions and creamy sour cream. | blipbite.com

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

I first made these stuffed sweet potatoes for a casual get-together, and everyone raved about the combination of the sweet potato and savory chili. It quickly became one of our favorite easy dinners for chilly nights.

Ingredients

  • Sweet Potatoes: 4 medium sweet potatoes, scrubbed
  • Chili Filling: 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 small onion (diced), 2 garlic cloves (minced), 1 bell pepper (diced), 1 pound ground beef or turkey or 2 cans black beans (for vegetarian), 1 can diced tomatoes, 1 can kidney beans (drained and rinsed), 2 tablespoons tomato paste, 1 tablespoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • Toppings (Optional): Shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream or Greek yogurt, sliced green onions, chopped cilantro

Instructions

Bake Sweet Potatoes:
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Pierce each sweet potato several times with a fork. Place on baking sheet and bake 50-60 minutes until tender.
Prepare Chili Filling:
Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and bell pepper, sauté 4-5 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute.
Cook Protein:
Add ground beef (or beans for vegetarian), breaking up meat and cooking until browned. Drain excess fat if needed.
Add Remaining Chili Ingredients:
Stir in diced tomatoes, kidney beans, tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and cayenne (if using). Simmer uncovered for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Prepare Sweet Potatoes for Filling:
Let sweet potatoes cool slightly. Slice each lengthwise, push open, and fluff flesh with fork.
Stuff and Serve:
Spoon chili into each potato. Top with cheese, sour cream, green onions, and cilantro as desired. Serve hot.
Hot, freshly cooked baked sweet potato stuffed with chili, with melting cheese and fragrant cilantro. Save
Hot, freshly cooked baked sweet potato stuffed with chili, with melting cheese and fragrant cilantro. | blipbite.com

My kids love picking their own toppings and making these potatoes just the way they like them. It is a fun family dinner that brings everyone together 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 if sensitive.

Nutritional Information

Per serving with beef, without cheese or sour cream: Calories 410, Fat 11 g, Carbohydrates 54 g, Protein 22 g

A forkful reveals tender baked sweet potato stuffed with chili's savory filling, for a satisfying meal. Save
A forkful reveals tender baked sweet potato stuffed with chili's savory filling, for a satisfying meal. | blipbite.com

Give these stuffed sweet potatoes a try for your next cozy meal. The leftovers make a fantastic quick lunch!

Kitchen Guide

Can I make this dish vegetarian?

Yes, substitute ground meat with black beans for a hearty vegetarian option without sacrificing flavor.

What is the best way to bake sweet potatoes evenly?

Pierce each sweet potato with a fork several times and bake at 400°F until tender, about 50-60 minutes.

How can I add more heat to the chili filling?

Add cayenne pepper or use extra chili powder to increase the spice level according to taste.

Are there quick cooking alternatives for the sweet potatoes?

You can microwave the sweet potatoes for 8-10 minutes as a faster cooking method before stuffing.

What toppings complement the stuffed sweet potatoes best?

Shredded cheese, sour cream or Greek yogurt, sliced green onions, and chopped cilantro enhance both flavor and texture.

Baked Sweet Potato Chili

Tender baked sweet potatoes filled with zesty chili, ideal for a hearty and comforting meal.

Prep duration
15 min
Heat time
60 min
Complete duration
75 min
Created by Megan Lewis


Complexity Easy

Heritage American

Output 4 Portions

Nutrition Guidelines 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

Method

Phase 01

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

Phase 02

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

Phase 03

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

Phase 04

Brown Protein: Add ground beef or turkey (or black beans for vegetarian option). Break up meat and cook until browned. Drain excess fat if necessary.

Phase 05

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

Phase 06

Prepare Potatoes: When sweet potatoes are tender, remove from oven and let cool slightly. Slice each lengthwise, gently push open, and fluff flesh with a fork.

Phase 07

Assemble and Serve: Spoon generous portions of chili into each sweet potato. Top with shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream or Greek yogurt, sliced green onions, and chopped cilantro as desired. Serve hot.

Tools needed

  • Baking sheet
  • Large skillet
  • Chef's knife
  • Cutting board
  • Spoon or fork

Allergy Details

Review ingredients carefully for potential allergens and seek professional medical guidance if uncertain.
  • Contains dairy if using cheese or sour cream. Verify gluten-free status of canned goods and toppings if sensitive.

Nutrient breakdown (per portion)

Values shown are estimates and shouldn't replace professional medical consultation.
  • Energy: 410
  • Fats: 11 g
  • Carbohydrates: 54 g
  • Proteins: 22 g