Sweet potatoes are packed with antioxidants that have been shown to protect against certain cancers, and they’re among the richest sources of beta-carotene out there, which is good news for everything from your immune system to your gut health. Stuffed sweet potato recipes make for healthy go-to meals when we’re strapped for time. Not just because they’re healthful, but also because they’re a filling base that plays well with any number of proteins and flavor profiles.
Plus, if you have leftovers, a sweet potato is a great way to give them new life. Have some leftover chili in the fridge, but not enough for a full meal? It’ll be perfect on a sweet potato. Leftover curry? Spoon it over a sweet potato.
Aside from its sidekick role with leftovers, the sweet potato is perfectly comfortable taking center stage. We rounded up seven of our favorite recipes to highlight the versatility of this orange wonder.
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1. Egg-Stuffed Sweet Potato
Image credit: Calla’s Clean Eats
It’s amazing that we didn’t even consider egg-stuffed sweet potatoes an option before, but this super healthy, easy breakfast option is now going straight into heavy rotation. We recommend pre-baking a batch of sweet potatoes, then tossing one back in the oven with a cracked egg, which yields a low-effort breakfast (or lunch!) that couldn’t be healthier. For lunch, we’d serve it with a simple side salad or a prepared French lentil salad.
Try the recipe from Calla’s Clean Eats.
2. BBQ Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potato
Image credit: Downshiftology
If you’ve ever dipped sweet potato fries in barbecue sauce, you already know this is a great pairing. Barbecue chicken has that deep, smokey-sweet flavor, so it works perfectly in a sweet potato. If you want to avoid refined sugars, there are some great unsweetened barbecue sauces out there (we’re fans of this Primal Kitchen version, or you could always make your own).
Try the recipe from Downshiftology.
3. Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Spanish Tuna and Olives
Image credit: Irena Macri
Gluten-free, paleo, and Whole30-friendly, these stuffed sweet potatoes are a great option for people with a wide range of dietary needs. They’re also protein-packed, thanks to the tuna filling, and incredibly flavorful. As the recipe author notes, this dish is an ideal make-ahead option: Bake a few sweet potatoes and mix up the Spanish tuna filling in advance, then combine for a super quick lunch or dinner.
Try the recipe from Irena Macri.
4. Quinoa & Red Lentil Stuffed Sweet Potato
This is one of those healthy, tasty weeknight dinners that make takeout feel like a waste of money. We’d definitely recommend making a double batch of the quinoa and red lentil filling — it makes a fantastic side dish for another meal, or can easily serve as a light lunch with a simple green salad.
Try the recipe from Pick Up Limes.
5. Turkey Taco-Inspired Stuffed Sweet Potato
Image credit: Cookin Canuck
This dinner is super fast, filled with healthy protein, and utilizes delicious, taco-inspired spices that appeal to even the pickiest eaters. We’d serve with some simple broccoli sauteéd with garlic and olive oil, or stay really on-theme with a Healthy Street Corn Salad or a delicious, fresh Avocado Salad.
Try the recipe from Cookin Canuck.
6. Tandoori Chickpea Stuffed Sweet Potato
Image credit: Rainbow Plant Life
As recipe author Nisha notes, this recipe is a really great beginners’ option if you’re unfamiliar with Indian cooking but love the flavors and want to give it a try. It’s also really quick, so it works great for busy evenings. If you have more time, consider making her vegan play on palak paneer to go with it, and we recommend making a double batch of the Tandoori chickpeas, too. They’re so crunchy and flavorful, you’ll want to snack on them all day.
Try the recipe from Rainbow Plant Life.
7. Shepherd’s Pie Stuffed Sweet Potato
Image credit: Brownie Bites
This is sort of an inverted shepherd’s pie: Rather than filling a pie dish and layering mashed potatoes on top, this quick weeknight variation involves simply stuffing cooked sweet potatoes with a turkey-based version of shepherd’s pie filling, then broiling. This dish would be fantastic served with some simple roasted carrots or green beans.
Try the recipe from Brownie Bites.
Read next: 10 Easy Weeknight Meals to Make After a Really Long Day
