Loaded Sweet Potatoes

Ingredients

• 4 medium sweet potatoes
• 1 tbsp oil (For rubbing the sweet potatoes)
• 1 tsp salt (For the sweet potatoes; additional salt is used in the filling)
• 2 tbsp butter (Use 1/2 tsp in each potato during assembly)
• 1 lb ground beef (Also called minced beef)
• 1 small onion (Diced)
• 4 cloves garlic (Minced)
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika powder
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 jalapeño (Diced; optional)
• 1 cup spinach
• salt and black pepper (For the filling, to taste)
• oil (For cooking the filling)
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (For topping)
• sour cream or Greek yogurt (For topping)
• green onions or cilantro (For topping)

Steps

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. 2

   Wash and dry the sweet potatoes.

3. 3

   Rub the sweet potatoes with the oil and sprinkle them with salt.

4. 4

   Place the sweet potatoes on a baking tray and bake for 45–60 minutes, until soft and tender.

5. 5

   While the sweet potatoes bake, heat a skillet over medium heat. Add the cooking oil once the skillet is hot.

6. 6

   Add the ground beef and cook for 4–5 minutes, breaking it apart as it cooks.

7. 7

   Add the diced onion and cook until softened.

8. 8

   Stir in the minced garlic and diced jalapeño.

9. 9

   Add the cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper, and stir to combine.

10. 10

    Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1–2 minutes.

11. 11

    Add some water and continue cooking until the beef is fully cooked.

12. 12

    Add the spinach and cook until it wilts.

13. 13

    Slice each baked sweet potato open lengthwise.

14. 14

    Add 1/2 teaspoon of butter to each potato and lightly mash the inside with a fork.

15. 15

    Spoon the beef filling into each sweet potato.

16. 16

    Top generously with the shredded cheddar cheese.

17. 17

    Return the filled sweet potatoes to the oven and bake for 10–15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

18. 18

    Top with sour cream or Greek yogurt and green onions or cilantro. Serve warm.

Notes

The source does not specify the amount of water added to the filling, the quantity of cooking oil, or the amounts of the optional toppings. It also does not give a precise doneness temperature for the beef; cook it until fully cooked as stated.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• baked
• beef
• comfort food
• family-friendly
• sweet potato