Sweet Potato Ground Beef Casserole Recipe
A hearty and comforting Sweet Potato Ground Beef Casserole featuring roasted sweet potatoes, seasoned ground beef, instant rice, and melted cheddar cheese. This easy-to-make casserole is perfect for a nutritious weeknight dinner, combining the natural sweetness of roasted sweet potatoes with savory beef and creamy cheese.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Sweet Potatoes
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced into 1 inch cubes
Seasonings and Oil
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons dried crushed rosemary
Beef Mixture
- 1 lb. lean ground beef (93/7)
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
Liquid & Rice
- 1 (14.5 oz) can vegetable broth (about 2 cups)
- ½ cup heavy cream (or half & half)
- 1 & ⅓ cup instant white or brown rice
Topping
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 teaspoons parsley flakes
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Sweet Potatoes: Preheat your oven to 400°F. Peel and dice 2 medium sweet potatoes into 1-inch cubes, yielding about 4 cups of sweet potato chunks.
- Season and Roast Sweet Potatoes: Place the diced sweet potatoes in a 9 x 13″ casserole dish. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil, then sprinkle with ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, and 2 teaspoons dried rosemary. Toss lightly to coat evenly. Roast in the preheated oven for 30 minutes until tender and slightly caramelized.
- Cook Ground Beef: While the sweet potatoes roast, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb. of lean ground beef, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook until fully browned. If using a higher fat beef, drain excess fat before proceeding.
- Sauté Onion: Add 1 diced medium yellow onion to the browned beef in the skillet. Sauté for 3-5 minutes until the onion is soft and translucent, then remove from heat.
- Add Liquids and Rice to Casserole: After 30 minutes, remove the roasted sweet potatoes from the oven. Pour in 1 can (14.5 oz) vegetable broth, ½ cup heavy cream, and 1 & ⅓ cup uncooked instant rice. Add the cooked ground beef and onion mixture. Stir everything well to combine, making sure rice is submerged. Pat mixture evenly into the casserole dish.
- Cover and Bake: Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil and bake for another 15 minutes at 400°F to allow the rice to cook and absorb liquids.
- Add Cheese and Finish Baking: Remove the foil and sprinkle 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Return the casserole to the oven, uncovered, and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Rest and Serve: Let the casserole rest for 10-15 minutes before serving. Garnish with 2 teaspoons parsley flakes. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- Sweet potatoes: Use orange sweet potatoes for classic sweetness, or substitute with white or purple sweet potatoes for a twist.
- Ground beef: Opt for lean beef (93/7) to reduce fat; if using higher fat content beef, drain excess fat before adding onions.
- Broth: Vegetable broth can be replaced with chicken broth as a substitute.
- Instant rice: Both white and brown instant rice can be used based on your preference.
- Make sure to allow the casserole to rest post-baking to let flavors meld and the dish to set.
Keywords: sweet potato casserole, ground beef casserole, easy dinner casserole, roasted sweet potatoes, cheesy beef casserole, weeknight dinner ideas
