Description
Hearty sweet potato ground beef casserole merges comforting flavors from Mexico and the American Southwest. Layers of spiced meat, creamy potatoes, and melted cheese create a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, diced
- 2 cups shredded cheddar
- 1 1/3 cups instant rice
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
Liquids and Seasonings:
- 14.5 ounces (430 milliliters) vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Herbs and Spices:
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons dried rosemary
- 2 teaspoons parsley
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F and prepare a casserole dish with diced sweet potatoes, coating them evenly with oil and selected seasonings.
- Roast sweet potatoes for 30 minutes until they become tender and slightly caramelized around the edges.
- In a skillet, thoroughly brown ground beef over medium-high heat, then incorporate diced onions and sauté until they become translucent and soft.
- Create a unified mixture by combining beef, sautéed onions, chicken broth, cream, and cooked rice directly into the roasted sweet potato dish.
- Cover the casserole and bake for 15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and ingredients to heat through completely.
- Uncover the casserole, sprinkle shredded cheese evenly across the top, and return to the oven for an additional 10 minutes until cheese melts and becomes golden.
- Remove from oven and let the casserole rest for 10-15 minutes to stabilize the consistency and enhance flavor absorption.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving to add a bright, fresh element to the hearty dish.
Notes
- Choose sweet potatoes with smooth, firm skin for the best texture and flavor in your casserole.
- For a leaner option, swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based meat alternatives.
- Customize spice levels by adjusting seasonings like paprika, garlic powder, or chili flakes to suit your taste preferences.
- Meal prep friendly: This casserole can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated, then baked when ready to serve, making weeknight dinners a breeze.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 487
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 82 mg