Description
This Sweet Potato and Ground Beef Casserole is a hearty and nutritious one-dish meal featuring tender sweet potatoes, savory ground beef, wilted spinach, and melted cheese. It combines flavorful spices with wholesome ingredients for a comforting, family-friendly American casserole that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prepping.
Ingredients
Produce
- 1 medium-sized yellow onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium-sized vine-ripened tomato, chopped (optional)
- 2 medium-sized sweet potatoes, chopped
- 5 ounces baby spinach
Meat & Dairy
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1.5 to 2 cups grated cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or jack cheese works well)
Pantry
- 1 Tbsp avocado oil
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ¾ tsp sea salt, to taste
- ¼ tsp black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Sauté Onion: Heat the avocado oil in a large Dutch oven or deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Cook Ground Beef & Aromatics: Add minced garlic and ground beef to the pot. Use a spatula or wooden spoon to break the meat into small chunks. Brown the beef for a couple of minutes until it starts to lose its pink color.
- Add Seasonings & Vegetables: Stir in the Italian seasoning, chopped tomato (if using), sweet potatoes, sea salt, and black pepper. Cover with a lid and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 to 10 minutes until the sweet potatoes begin to soften.
- Wilt Spinach: Add the baby spinach to the pot, cover it again, and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until the spinach wilts.
- Transfer to Casserole Dish & Add Cheese: Spread the cooked mixture evenly into a large casserole dish. Sprinkle the grated cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake: Place the casserole dish on the center rack of the preheated oven and bake for 15 to 25 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and is golden brown to your liking.
- Serve: Serve the casserole in large bowls. Optionally, sprinkle chopped green onions over the top for added freshness. Enjoy!
Notes
- Use raw cheddar cheese for the best melt and flavor. Mozzarella, jack, or any good melting cheese are also great alternatives.
- For a lower calorie and fat version, reduce the cheese to 1 cup.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Dishes
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
