Baked Sweet Potato Chili

# What You Need:

→ Sweet Potatoes

01 - 4 medium sweet potatoes, scrubbed

→ Chili Filling

02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

03 - 1 small onion, diced

04 - 2 garlic cloves, minced

05 - 1 bell pepper, diced

06 - 1 pound ground beef or turkey, or 2 cans (15 oz each) black beans for vegetarian option

07 - 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes

08 - 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed

09 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste

10 - 1 tablespoon chili powder

11 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin

12 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

13 - ½ teaspoon salt

14 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper

15 - ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

→ Optional Toppings

16 - Shredded cheddar cheese

17 - Sour cream or Greek yogurt

18 - Sliced green onions

19 - Chopped cilantro

# How To Make:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Pierce each sweet potato several times with a fork. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until tender when pierced with a knife.

02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and bell pepper; sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until softened.

03 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute.

04 - Add ground beef or turkey (or black beans for vegetarian). Break up meat and cook until browned. Drain excess fat if necessary.

05 - Incorporate diced tomatoes, kidney beans, tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper if using. Simmer uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally until thickened.

06 - Let baked potatoes cool slightly. Slice lengthwise, gently open, and fluff flesh with a fork.

07 - Spoon a generous portion of chili into each sweet potato. Add optional toppings as desired. Serve warm.

# Expert Tips:

01 -

Comforting and satisfying main dish
Can be made vegetarian or vegan

02 -

For a vegan version, use beans and omit dairy toppings
Sweet potatoes can be microwaved for quicker prep

03 -