Amazing Sweet Potato Beef Bake Recipe for Cozy Nights

Comfort food reaches new heights with this incredible savory sweet potato beef bake that blends hearty ingredients into a mouthwatering meal.

Rich ground beef mingles with tender sweet potato layers, creating a symphony of robust flavors.

Warm spices dance through each perfectly seasoned bite, promising a delightful culinary experience.

Packed with nutritious vegetables and protein, this dish delivers satisfaction in every forkful.

The golden-brown top hints at the deliciousness waiting beneath, tempting even the pickiest eaters.

Home cooks will love how easily this one-pan wonder comes together, making weeknight dinners a breeze.

Let this savory sweet potato beef bake become your new go-to recipe for a delicious, wholesome meal that everyone will devour.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 55 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Calories: 430 kcal

Servings: 7

Sweet Potato Beef Bake Ingredient Guide

• Sweet Potatoes: Hearty root vegetable that provides a creamy, slightly sweet foundation for the casserole, selecting firm potatoes with bright, smooth skin ensures the best texture.
• Olive Oil: Helps create a golden, crispy exterior on sweet potatoes while adding rich, smooth flavor.
• Salt, Black Pepper, Garlic Powder, Dried Rosemary: Classic seasoning blend that elevates the sweet potato's natural warmth and adds depth to the dish.

• Ground Beef: Robust protein that brings savory richness and creates a satisfying main component of the casserole.
• Onion: Adds sweet, caramelized undertones and builds a flavor-packed base for the meat.

• Vegetable Broth: Infuses moisture and enhances overall flavor profile of the casserole.
• Heavy Cream: Creates a luxurious, silky texture that binds ingredients together.
• Instant Rice: Quick-cooking grain that absorbs flavors and provides additional substance.
• Cheddar Cheese: Melts into a golden, tangy layer that brings creamy sharpness to the dish.
• Parsley: Fresh herb that adds bright, clean garnish and visual appeal.

Flavor Tips to Balance Spice and Sweetness

• Beef and Sweet Potato Power Boost: Add extra protein by mixing in crumbled bacon or diced ham for a heartier meal that keeps you feeling full longer.
• Spice Master Trick: Swap rosemary with smoked paprika or cayenne pepper to create a bolder flavor profile that brings exciting warmth to the entire dish.
• Veggie Upgrade Strategy: Toss in chopped bell peppers, spinach, or mushrooms during the beef browning stage to increase nutritional value and add more texture and color.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Replace heavy cream with coconut milk and use dairy-free cheese alternatives for those with lactose sensitivities without compromising the creamy, comforting essence of the casserole.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire casserole up to the final cheese-melting stage, then refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to serve, simply pop it in the oven and bake until heated through and cheese is golden and bubbly.

Plating Ideas for Weeknight or Holiday Meals

• Cozy Family Dinner Delight: Serve this hearty casserole as a complete one-dish meal that'll satisfy everyone around the table.
• Fresh Green Sidekick: Pair the bake with a crisp mixed green salad dressed in a light vinaigrette to balance the rich, creamy texture of the main dish.
• Bread Basket Companion: Offer warm crusty bread or garlic toast on the side to soak up the delicious sauce and add an extra layer of comfort to the meal.
• Weekend Meal Prep Champion: This recipe works perfectly as a make-ahead dish that reheats beautifully, making it ideal for busy families looking for convenient and delicious dinner options.

Saving and Reheating This Bake Without Drying

• Refrigerator Revival: Store leftover casserole in an airtight container for up to 4 days. The flavors will continue to meld, making each bite even more delicious when reheated.
• Freezer-Friendly Feast: Wrap individual portions or the entire casserole in freezer-safe containers. Freeze for maximum 3 months, ensuring a quick and satisfying meal is always ready when needed.
• Lunch Prep Champion: Divide the casserole into grab-and-go containers for easy work or school lunches. These portions reheat beautifully in the microwave within 2-3 minutes.
• Batch Cooking Brilliance: Double the recipe and create multiple meals at once. This strategy saves time, reduces cooking stress, and provides convenient meal options throughout the week.

Tools for Baking and Layering With Ease

• Casserole dish: Large, deep baking pan perfect for mixing and baking the entire meal.
• Skillet: Essential for browning ground beef and cooking onions evenly.
• Cutting board: Needed for chopping sweet potatoes, onions, and parsley.
• Chef's knife: Sharp tool for precise dicing and chopping ingredients.
• Measuring spoons: Helps accurately add spices like salt, garlic powder, and pepper.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for mixing ingredients and stirring beef in skillet.
• Cheese grater: Useful for shredding fresh cheddar cheese if not pre-shredded.
• Oven mitts: Protects hands when handling hot casserole dish and baking.

How to Bake a Sweet and Savory Casserole

• Potato Preparation

Slice sweet potatoes into bite-sized cubes and toss with olive oil, seasonings. Spread on baking sheet and roast until golden and tender.

• Meat Foundation

Brown ground beef in skillet, adding diced onions midway through cooking. Break meat into small crumbles for even texture.

• Casserole Assembly

Combine roasted potatoes, browned beef, and onions in deep baking dish. Pour in broth and cream, mixing gently to distribute ingredients evenly.

• Rice Integration

Stir instant rice into casserole mixture, ensuring grains are fully submerged in liquid for even cooking.

• Cheese Finale

Sprinkle generous layer of cheddar cheese across top of casserole. Bake until cheese melts completely and develops slight golden bubbles.

• Resting and Serving

Let casserole settle for 10-15 minutes after removing from oven. Garnish with fresh parsley for bright flavor and visual appeal before serving.

Hearty Sweet Potato Beef Bake Recipe

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4.9 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Hearty Tex-Mex savory sweet potato beef bake delivers bold southwestern flavors in one satisfying skillet meal. Home cooks will appreciate this simple yet delicious recipe that combines ground beef, spices, and creamy sweet potatoes for a complete dinner.

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Ingredients

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• 1 lb (1 pound) lean ground beef
• 2 medium sweet potatoes, diced
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 14.5 oz (425 ml) vegetable broth
• ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream
• 1 ⅓ cups instant rice
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 1 tbsp (1 tablespoon) olive oil
• 2 tsp (2 teaspoons) dried rosemary
• ½ tsp (½ teaspoon) salt
• ½ tsp (½ teaspoon) black pepper
• ¼ tsp (¼ teaspoon) garlic powder
• 2 tsp (2 teaspoons) parsley for garnishing

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Instructions

1. Seasoning Preparation: Coat diced sweet potatoes with olive oil, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and dried rosemary, ensuring uniform seasoning coverage.
2. Potato Roasting: Spread seasoned sweet potatoes on a baking sheet and roast in a preheated 400°F oven for 30 minutes until tender and slightly caramelized.
3. Meat Preparation: Brown ground beef in a skillet, adding diced onions and cooking until onions become translucent and beef is fully cooked.
4. Casserole Assembly: Combine roasted sweet potatoes, beef-onion mixture, vegetable broth, heavy cream, and instant rice in a casserole dish, mixing thoroughly to distribute ingredients evenly.
5. Initial Baking: Cover the dish and bake at 400°F for 15 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and rice to absorb liquids.
6. Cheese Topping: Uncover the casserole, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese across the surface, and return to the oven for 10 minutes until cheese melts and develops a golden, bubbly crust.
7. Resting and Garnishing: Remove from oven and let the casserole rest for 10-15 minutes to allow ingredients to set, then finish with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley for added color and herbal freshness.

Notes

• Potato Prep Tip: Dice sweet potatoes uniformly to ensure even roasting and consistent texture throughout the dish.
• Meat Browning Technique: Cook ground beef until it develops a rich, caramelized crust for maximum flavor depth and prevents excess moisture.
• Cheese Melting Secret: Use freshly shredded cheddar for superior melting quality and more robust flavor compared to pre-packaged cheese.
• Resting Importance: Allow the casserole to rest after baking, which helps ingredients meld together and makes serving easier without falling apart.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 55 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 430
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 23 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg