You don’t need a Michelin-star kitchen or to dodge any rats to make the perfect casserole. This Chili Cheese Sweet Potato Casserole recipe is made with easily available sweet potatoes, spicy chili, and a bubbling cheesy finale.

Have you watched that sweet movie Ratatouille with Remy the rat who proves that “Anyone can cook, but only the fearless can be great?
If yes, then just like Remy layering flavors to win over egoistic food critics, this Chili Cheese Sweet Potato Casserole layers roasted sweet potatoes, hearty chili, and melty cheese is here to win hearts at your dinner table.
With every layer, you’ll build flavor like a cinematic crescendo which is not just sweet and spicy, but also cheesy, and utterly satisfying. Just follow the simple steps and my expert tips to achieve a perfect casserole at home in no time.
The recipe will come out with finale that leaves everyone cheering (or at least reaching for seconds).
Equipment Required
- Knife: Use a sharp knife to chop the sweet potatoes, onions, tomatoes, and bell pepper finely.
- Mixing Bowls: Take a glass bowl to coat the sweet potatoes with oil and small bowls to add chopped veggies.
- Skillet: Prepare the chili mixture along with the veggies using a skillet.
- Ladle: Use a ladle to keep stirring the chili mixture.
- Baking Dish: Pour the chili topped with cheese in a baking dish to bake in the oven.
- Grater: For garnishing, use a grater to grate the cheese nicely.
Chili Cheese Sweet Potato Casserole Ingredients & Substitutions
Note: This recipe is big enough to serve five portions. If you want to make more or less, you must adjust the recipe accordingly.Â
- 4 Tablespoon Vegetable Oil, divided, plus more for dish
- 3 medium Sweet Potatoes (about 1 1/2 lb. total), peeled and cut into 1/2″ cubes
- 1½ Teaspoon Kosher Salt
- 1 Yellow Onion, finely chopped
- 1 Red Bell Pepper, seeds and ribs removed, finely chopped
- 2 Cloves Garlic, finely chopped
- 1 Tablespoon Chili Powder
- 1 Tablespoon Ground Cumin
- 1 Teaspoon Dried Oregano
- 1 (14.5-oz.) Can Black Beans
- 1 (14.5-oz.) Can Diced Tomatoes
- 1 (14.5-oz.) Can Tomato Sauce
- 1 Cup fresh or frozen Corn Kernels
- 2 Cups shredded Colby Jack cheese
- 2 Scallions
- Sour Cream, for serving
Preparation And Cooking Time
Preparation Time | Cooking Time | Total Time |
---|---|---|
10 Minutes | 40 Minutes | 50 Minutes |
How To Make Chili Cheese Sweet Potato Casserole At Home
Step 1
Slather oil to the boiled sweet potatoes and ensure they are nicely coated.
Step 2
Then, take a skillet, add onions, garlic, and salt to taste.
Step 3
When the onions are caremlized or the colour is slightly changed, add bell peppers and tomatoes.
Step 4
Let it all simmer for a few minutes and then add the red pepper, dried oregano, and ground cumin to the pan.
Step 5
Further, add tomato sauce and combine everything evenly.
Step 6
Moving forward, add the kidney beans and corn to the sauce mixture.
Step 7
Then, add a pinch of salt to your taste and stir nicely.
Step 8
Finally, assemble the chili mixture in the baking dish and garnish it with Colby Jack cheese. Place the baking dish in the oven to bake at 420 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes.
Step 9
Once it is golden brown, remove from the oven, garnish it with cilantro and enjoy!
Expert Tips That I Recommend
- For extra crisp and caramelised edges, I prefer roasting the sweet potatoes until lightly brown.
- Layer half chili, all potatoes, then remaining chili, then potatoes. This layering ensures balanced bites of chili and potato.
- I cover the casserole tightly to trap the steam which helps the dish heat through without drying out.
- Moving on, layering evenly will help you to achieve gooey and cheese flavors in every bite.
FAQs About Chili Cheese Sweet Potato Casserole
Nutritional Information Per Serving
Sweet potatoes are a nutritional powerhouse as they are loaded with fiber, complex carbs, and vitamin A (thanks to all that beta-carotene). However, the key lies in the portion of ingredients which makes it a healthy dish when eaten in moderation. Check out the nutritional value in the table below.
Calories | 449 kcal |
Carbohydrates | 34 g |
Protein | 6 g |
Fat | 29 g |
Saturated Fat | 12Â g |
Polyunsaturated Fat | 7 g |
Monounsaturated Fat | 8 g |
Trans Fat | 0.1 g |
Cholesterol | 50 mg |
Sodium | 1122 mg |
Potassium | 682 mg |
Dietary Fiber | 6 g |
Sugar | 8 g |
Vitamin A | 21052 IU |
Vitamin C | 37 mg |
Calcium | 438 mg |
Iron | 3 mg |
The beauty of a Chili Cheese Sweet Potato Casserole is how flexible it is. On a vegetarian diet? Use black beans, lentils, or meatless crumbles instead of meat. Going gluten-free? You’re in luck, sweet potatoes are naturally gluten-free, and so are most chili ingredients. So tweak the ingredients and adjust it to your dietary preferences.
Recipe Variation For Different Diets
- Vegan: Swap cheese and sour cream with vegan versions and prefer using olive oil.
- Low-carb: You can also make this recipe using cauliflower cubes instead of potatoes. Moreover, instead of regular cheese, choose high-fat cheese.
Storing And Reheating This Recipe
- Refrigerator: Let the casserole cool completely before covering it tightly with foil or transferring it to an airtight container. It will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: For longer storage, portion the casserole into individual containers and freeze. It holds up well for up to a month or 2. When you are ready to eat, thaw it overnight in the fridge for best results.
What To Serve With This Recipe
- Salad: Pair the Sweet Potato Casserole with crunchy and refreshing Salad and enjoy the crunch with this comforting meal.
- Garlic Bread: Another beautiful pairing combination is Garlic Bread. You can serve the garlic bread alongside of this casserole recipe for extra flavors.
Printable Version
Chili Cheese Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 Tablespoon Vegetable Oil divided, plus more for dish
- 3 Sweet Potatoes
- 1½ Teaspoon Kosher Salt
- 1 Yellow Onion finely chopped
- 1 Red Bell Pepper seeds and ribs removed, finely chopped
- 2 Cloves Garlic finely chopped
- 1 Tablespoon Chili Powder
- 1 Tablespoon Ground Cumin
- 1 Teaspoon Dried Oregano
- 1 14.5-oz. Can Black Beans
- 1 14.5-oz. Can Diced Tomatoes
- 1 14.5-oz. Can Tomato Sauce
- 1 Cup fresh or frozen Corn Kernels
- 2 Cups shredded Colby Jack cheese
- 2 Scallions
- Sour Cream for serving
Equipment
- Knife
- Mixing Bowls
- Skillet
- Ladle
- Baking Dish
- Grater
Instructions
- Slather olive oil to the boiled sweet potatoes and ensure they are nicely coated.
- Then, take a skillet, add onions, garlic, and salt to taste.
- When the onions are caremlized or the colour is slightly changed, add bell peppers and tomatoes.
- Let it all simmer for a few minutes and then add the red pepper, dried oregano, and ground cumin to the pan.
- Further, add tomato sauce and combine everything evenly.
- Moving forward, add the kidney beans and corn to the sauce mixture.
- Then, add a pinch of salt to your taste and stir nicely.
- Finally, assemble the chili mixture in the baking dish and garnish it with Colby Jack cheese. Place the baking dish in the oven to bake at 420 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes.
- Once it is golden brown, remove from the oven, garnish it with cilantro and enjoy!
Notes
- For extra crisp and caramelised edges, I prefer roasting the sweet potatoes until lightly brown.
- Layer half chili, all potatoes, then remaining chili, then potatoes. This layering ensures balanced bites of chili and potato.
- I cover the casserole tightly to trap the steam which helps the dish heat through without drying out.
- Moving on, layering evenly will help you to achieve gooey and cheese flavors in every bite.
Nutrition
More Casserole Recipes That You Can Try
Conclusion
If you are craving something hearty, cheesy, and full of bold flavor, this Chili Cheese Sweet Potato Casserole is a must-try. It brings together the comforting richness of chili with the natural sweetness of roasted sweet potatoes, all tied together with gooey melted cheese.
Do share your cooking experience with me in the comment section below.
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