This hearty and flavorful Ground Beef Sweet Potato Casserole with ground beef is an easy, all-in-one dinner that will quickly become a family favorite. With just the right amount of sweetness from the potatoes, this dish is perfect for any night of the week.
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Why This Recipe Works
- Savory-Sweet Fusion: Experience the delightful combination of ground beef and sweet potato, creating a harmonious and satisfying flavor profile.
- Hearty Comfort Food: Indulge in a comforting and filling casserole that evokes feelings of warmth and nostalgia, making it perfect for family meals or gatherings.
- Ease of Preparation: Embrace the simplicity of preparing this casserole, requiring minimal effort while delivering a satisfying and flavorful one-pan meal.
📋 Ingredients
- Sweet Potatoes: Add a natural sweetness and a hearty texture, creating a delicious base.
- Ground Beef: Brings a savory flavor, complementing the sweet potatoes.
- Yellow Onion: Contributes a pleasant aroma and subtle sweetness, enhancing the overall flavor.
- Salt: Seasons the dish, bringing out the flavors of the other ingredients.
- Freshly Ground Black Pepper: Adds mild spiciness and depth, elevating the overall taste.
- Smoked Paprika: Provides a smoky and slightly sweet flavor, giving a unique twist to the casserole.
- Garlic Powder: Infuses the dish with a delightful garlic aroma and taste, enhancing the savory profile.
- Beef Broth: Keeps the casserole moist and helps meld the different flavors together.
- Diced Tomatoes: Add tanginess and depth, balancing the sweetness of the sweet potatoes and beef.
- Cheddar Cheese: Creates a creamy and cheesy layer when baked, adding richness and indulgence.
- Bacon: Adds a smoky and crispy texture, providing a delightful contrast and extra flavor.
- Fresh Parsley: Serves as a vibrant garnish, adding a pop of color and a fresh, herbaceous note.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
🔀 Substitutions & Variations
- Colorful Veggie Twist: Try adding bell peppers, mushrooms, corn kernels, cauliflower, or broccoli for added color and crunch. These can be combined with melted butter and vanilla extract to elevate the overall taste of the casserole. Try this Sweet Potato Kale Hash recipe for more options.
- Broth Swap: You can also swap the beef broth for vegetable broth for this sweet potato casserole recipe.
- Spicy Infusion: If you're looking for a spicy kick, add some diced jalapenos or chili powder into the mixture.
- Mashed Sweet Potatoes- You can mash sweet potatoes using potato masher or use sweet potato filling in this recipe instead of cubed or diced sweet potatoes. However, the baking time may need to be adjusted.
- Canned Sweet Potatoes- You can use canned sweet potatoes instead of cubed or diced sweet potatoes in this recipe. Just drain the liquid before incorporating them into the dish.
- Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Casserole- In a large skillet, substitute ground turkey for ground beef in this delightful sweet potato casserole. Cook the ground turkey until fully cooked over medium-high heat, then continue the recipe as directed.
- Sliced Almonds or Chopped Pecans: Add a nutty crunch to the top of your sweet potato casserole.
- Dried Cranberries or Raisins: Add a burst of fruity sweetness and texture.
- Panko Breadcrumbs and Dark Brown Sugar: Add a crunchy, golden brown topping with a hint of sweetness.
- Mini Marshmallows: Give the casserole an indulgent and unique flair.
🔪How To Make Ground Beef Sweet Potato Casserole
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Chop the bacon into 1-inch pieces, and cook over medium heat until done. Transfer cooked bacon to a paper towel-lined plate
- Step 2: While the bacon is cooking, brown ground beef and drain the grease.
- Step 3: While everything is cooking, peel and dice the sweet potatoes into ½-1 inch pieces. Next, dice the onion.
- Step 4: Once the beef is cooked through, add diced onions and seasonings to the meat, and saute for 5 minutes.
- Step 5: Add sweet potato mixture to a 9x13" casserole dish, then sprinkle ground beef mixture and diced tomatoes over it. Pour in the beef broth, then top with cheese and bacon pieces.
- Step 6: Bake for 40-45 minutes, until potatoes are tender. Remove from the oven, and sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley or fresh thyme. Allow the casserole to sit for 5 minutes before serving.
👩🍳 Expert Tips
- Time-Saving Option: To speed up the cooking process, consider using pre-cooked ground beef or pre-diced sweet potatoes.
- Optimal Cooking: When assembling the casserole, ensure that the sweet potatoes are evenly layered and not too thick in the baking dish, allowing for thorough cooking and a harmonious integration of flavors.
💭 FAQs
Yes, you can prep this sweet potato casserole in advance. Just follow the recipe, skip baking, cover with parchment paper, and refrigerate for up to 3 days. When baking, preheat, uncover, and bake until tender. You might need 5-10 minutes more bake time.
Once the Sweet Potato Casserole With Ground Beef has cooled to room temperature, transfer any leftovers into a lidded, airtight container. You can store sweet potato casserole in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. If planning to freeze Sweet Potato Casserole, allow it to cool completely before proceeding. Transfer the casserole into a freezer-safe, airtight container or heavy-duty freezer bag. Label the container and place it in the freezer, where it can be kept for up to 2-3 months.
Yes, you can substitute regular potatoes for sweet potatoes in this casserole. However, sweet potatoes offer a unique sweetness and nutritional benefits. If using regular potatoes, consider adding a touch of sweetness or adjusting seasonings to balance the flavors.
To add more heat, incorporate diced jalapeños or add chili flakes to the ground beef mixture. Adjust the quantity based on your heat preference. Additionally, using spicy cheese varieties or adding a drizzle of hot sauce before serving can enhance the spiciness.
Absolutely! Assemble the casserole up to the baking step, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before placing it in the oven. This allows for even cooking.
Store any leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, cover and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 15-20 minutes, or until warmed through. Alternatively, individual portions can be microwaved for convenience.
Serving Suggestions
These are my favorite side dishes to serve with Beef Sweet Potato Casserole:
- Quinoa Salad: Light and refreshing, with a mix of fresh herbs to balance the hearty flavors.
- Glazed Carrots: A touch of sweetness enhances the overall meal, complementing the sweet potatoes.
- Salmon: Pair your sweet potato casserole with succulent roasted salmon for a delightful meal.
- Cranberry Orange Relish: Tangy and sweet, the perfect condiment to cut through the richness of the casserole.
🍜 Related Recipes
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Sweet Potato Casserole With Ground Beef
Ingredients
- 2 Sweet Potatoes diced into ½-1 inch cubes
- 1 lb. Ground Beef
- 1 Onion diced
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
- ½ teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- ¼ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ½ cup Beef Broth
- 14 OZ Diced Tomatoes Canned
- 2 cups Cheddar Cheese shredded
- 6 Strips Bacon cooked and chopped
- 1 tablespoon Parsley chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
- Chop the bacon into 1 inch pieces, and cook over medium heat until done. Transfer cooked bacon to a paper towel-lined plate.
- While the bacon is cooking, brown ground beef, and drain the grease.
- While everything is cooking, peel and dice the sweet potatoes / kumara into ½-1 inch pieces. Next dice the onion.
- Once the beef is cooked through, add diced onions and seasonings to the meat, and saute for 5 minutes.
- Add sweet potato mixture to a 9x13" casserole dish, then sprinkle ground beef mixture and diced tomatoes over it.
- Pour in the beef broth, then top with cheese and bacon pieces.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, until potatoes are tender.
- Remove from the oven, and sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley or fresh thyme.
- Allow the casserole to set for 5 minutes before serving.
Do you drain the tomatoes?
No. I like to use the whole can. It doesn't show in the photography but i tried the recipe a few times and using the juice adds more flavor and makes it even bette.