Sweet potato boats are the ultimate customizable dinner, offering a healthy and delicious base for endless flavor combinations.
They’re also incredibly easy to make, making them perfect for busy weeknights or a fun weekend meal.
Get ready to ditch the boring dinner routine and embark on a sweet potato adventure!
Recipe Highlights
- Effortless Prep: Minimal chopping and hands-on time required.
- Versatile Filling Options: Customize with your favorite proteins, veggies, and sauces.
- Nutrient-Packed Meal: Sweet potatoes are loaded with vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants.
What You’ll Need
Before we dive into the cooking process, let’s gather all the necessary ingredients to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience.
Having everything prepped and ready will make the whole process a breeze. This recipe is flexible, so feel free to adjust based on your preferences and what you have on hand!
- Sweet Potatoes: (The foundation of our boats; choose medium to large ones.)
- Olive Oil: (Adds flavor and helps the sweet potatoes roast evenly.)
- Salt & Pepper: (Essential for seasoning.)
- Ground Beef: (Provides a hearty and savory protein base.)
- Onion: (Adds depth of flavor to the ground beef.)
- Garlic: (Infuses the filling with aromatic goodness.)
- Bell Pepper: (Adds color and a touch of sweetness.)
- Black Beans: (Provides extra protein and fiber.)
- Corn: (Adds a touch of sweetness and texture.)
- Taco Seasoning: (Brings that classic taco flavor to the filling.)
- Shredded Cheese: (Melts beautifully over the filling, adding a creamy texture.)
- Toppings: (Sour cream, salsa, guacamole, cilantro – for adding the final touches.)
Ingredient Swaps
- Swap ground beef for ground turkey, chicken, or a plant-based alternative.
- Use different types of beans, such as pinto or kidney beans, instead of black beans.
- Try different vegetables like zucchini, mushrooms, or spinach in the filling.
- Substitute taco seasoning with your favorite spice blend or a homemade mix.
- For a dairy-free option, use a vegan cheese alternative or omit the cheese altogether.
Customize Your Sweet Potato Boats
Want to take your sweet potato boats to the next level? Here are a few creative variations to try:
- Mediterranean Delight: Fill with chickpeas, feta cheese, Kalamata olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and a drizzle of olive oil.
- BBQ Chicken Boats: Shredded chicken tossed in your favorite BBQ sauce, topped with coleslaw and crispy fried onions.
- Pizza Boats: Marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, and your favorite pizza toppings.
- Buffalo Chicken Boats: Shredded chicken tossed in buffalo sauce, topped with blue cheese crumbles and celery.
How to Make Sweet Potato Boats
Let’s get started on creating these delicious and customizable sweet potato boats. Follow these step-by-step instructions for a perfect result every time!
Step 1: Prepare the Sweet Potatoes
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Wash the sweet potatoes thoroughly and pat them dry. Pierce each sweet potato several times with a fork.
Rub the sweet potatoes with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place them on a baking sheet.
Step 2: Bake the Sweet Potatoes
Bake the sweet potatoes for 45-60 minutes, or until they are soft and easily pierced with a fork. Baking time may vary depending on the size of your sweet potatoes.
Let them cool slightly before handling.
Step 3: Prepare the Filling
While the sweet potatoes are baking, prepare the filling. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Drain any excess grease.
Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic, bell pepper, black beans, and corn.
Step 4: Season the Filling
Stir in the taco seasoning and cook for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. Add a splash of water if the mixture seems too dry.
Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Step 5: Assemble the Sweet Potato Boats
Once the sweet potatoes are cool enough to handle, slice them in half lengthwise. Scoop out some of the flesh, leaving about 1/4 inch border.
Mash the scooped-out flesh with a fork and mix it back into the ground beef filling. This adds extra flavor and creaminess.
Step 6: Fill and Bake
Spoon the ground beef filling into the sweet potato boats. Top with shredded cheese.
Return the filled sweet potato boats to the baking sheet and bake for another 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Step 7: Add Toppings and Serve
Remove the sweet potato boats from the oven and let them cool slightly. Top with your favorite toppings, such as sour cream, salsa, guacamole, and cilantro.
Serve immediately and enjoy!
Expert Tips for Success
Serving Suggestions
Sweet potato boats are a complete meal on their own, but they also pair well with a variety of sides.
Consider serving them with a light salad, coleslaw, or a side of roasted vegetables. For a heartier meal, you could add a side of rice or quinoa.
These would also be great alongside a Honey Garlic Sausage Sweet Potatoes for a contrasting flavor profile, or even a Bbq Chicken Sweet Potato Bliss. If you’re in the mood for a bowl, consider a Chicken Sweet Potato Rice Bowl.
And for a vegetarian option, the filling used in Potato Taco Bowl or Potato Taco Bowl could be adapted for this recipe, or you could try a Southwest Sweet Potato Skillet style filling!
Know someone who loves Sweet Potato Boats? Share this recipe with them!
What are some variations I can make to these sweet potato boats?
You can try Mediterranean Delight (chickpeas, feta, olives), BBQ Chicken Boats (shredded chicken in BBQ sauce with coleslaw), Pizza Boats (marinara, mozzarella, pepperoni), or Buffalo Chicken Boats (shredded chicken in buffalo sauce with blue cheese).
What can I use as a substitute for ground beef in the filling?
You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey, ground chicken, or a plant-based alternative. The recipe is quite flexible!
How do I know when the sweet potatoes are done baking?
Bake the sweet potatoes for 45-60 minutes, or until they are soft and easily pierced with a fork. Baking time may vary depending on the size of your sweet potatoes.
What are some good side dishes to serve with sweet potato boats?
Sweet potato boats are a complete meal on their own, but you can serve them with a light salad, coleslaw, or roasted vegetables. For a heartier meal, consider rice or quinoa.
Amazing Sweet Potato Boats Dinner
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Wash the sweet potatoes thoroughly and pat them dry. Pierce each sweet potato several times with a fork.
- Rub the sweet potatoes with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place them on a baking sheet.
- Bake the sweet potatoes for 45-60 minutes, or until they are soft and easily pierced with a fork. Baking time may vary depending on the size of your sweet potatoes. Let them cool slightly before handling.
- While the sweet potatoes are baking, prepare the filling. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Drain any excess grease.
- Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic, bell pepper, black beans, and corn.
- Stir in the taco seasoning and cook for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. Add a splash of water if the mixture seems too dry.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Once the sweet potatoes are cool enough to handle, slice them in half lengthwise. Scoop out some of the flesh, leaving about 1/4 inch border.
- Mash the scooped-out flesh with a fork and mix it back into the ground beef filling. This adds extra flavor and creaminess.
- Spoon the ground beef filling into the sweet potato boats. Top with shredded cheese.
- Return the filled sweet potato boats to the baking sheet and bake for another 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove the sweet potato boats from the oven and let them cool slightly. Top with your favorite toppings, such as sour cream, salsa, guacamole, and cilantro.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
