Loaded Sweet Potato Boats

Name: Loaded Sweet Potato Boats with Ground Beef
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 large sweet potatoes; 2 tbsp butter; 1/2 red onion, chopped; 1 lb ground beef; salt, to taste; black pepper, to taste; 1 tbsp paprika; 1 tbsp chili powder; 1 tsp dried basil; 1 tsp dried oregano; 1 tbsp minced garlic; 4 oz tomato paste; 1 cup fresh spinach; 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Loaded Sweet Potato Boats are tender baked sweet potatoes hollowed and filled with seasoned ground beef, spinach, and melted mozzarella cheese, creating a satisfying one-dish meal that balances comfort with whole-food nutrition.

🌍American 🏷️Loaded sweet potato 🏷️Sweet potato boats 🏷️Ground beef 🏷️Stuffed sweet potato Cheesy

🏷️

🏷️Comfort food

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TikTok

Total

1h 10m

Servings

2

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$26–$43

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok

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TikTok

Ingredients

2 large sweet potatoes
2 tbsp butter
1/2 red onion, chopped
1 lb ground beef
salt, to taste
black pepper, to taste
1 tbsp paprika
1 tbsp chili powder
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tbsp minced garlic
4 oz tomato paste
1 cup fresh spinach
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

14 Ingredients

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Instructions

1
Preheat your oven to 400°F. Wash and pat dry the sweet potatoes. Poke holes in the top with a fork.
2
Bake the sweet potatoes for 50 to 60 minutes, until tender.
3
While the potatoes bake, melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped red onion and cook until softened and lightly browned.
4
Add the ground beef to the skillet. Break it up with a spatula and cook until browned.
5
Season the beef with salt, pepper, paprika, chili powder, dried basil, and dried oregano. Stir to combine.
6
Stir in the minced garlic, followed by the tomato paste. Mix well until everything is fully incorporated.
7
Add the fresh spinach to the skillet and cook, stirring, until it has wilted.
8
Once the sweet potatoes are done baking, carefully slice them open lengthwise. Use a fork to mash the flesh inside each potato.
9
Spoon the ground beef mixture evenly into the sweet potato boats.
10
Top generously with shredded mozzarella cheese.
11
Place the stuffed sweet potatoes under the broiler for 2 to 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Bake sweet potatoes at 400°F for 25–30 minutes until the flesh yields easily to a fork; they should be tender but still hold their shape when halved.
Brown the ground beef thoroughly and pour off excess fat before adding seasonings—this prevents a greasy filling and lets the paprika and chili powder flavors bloom.
Let the cooked boats cool for 2–3 minutes before serving so the cheese sets slightly and the filling won't spill when you scoop.
Chop the sweet potato flesh fine when scooping to maximize the ratio of filling to potato; use it as a binder or discard excess to make room for more beef mixture.

Substitutions

Ground beef → ground turkey or ground lamb (adjust salt and spices to taste)
Mozzarella → sharp cheddar or pepper jack cheese (for stronger flavor)
Paprika + chili powder → 2 tbsp of your favorite taco seasoning blend (simplifies spicing)

Storage & make-ahead

Store cooled boats in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat covered at 350°F for 10–15 minutes, or microwave individual boats for 2–3 minutes until warmed through.

Common Questions

Can I prepare these ahead of time?

Yes. Bake the potato halves, prepare the beef mixture, and assemble the boats up to 8 hours ahead. Cover and refrigerate, then bake an additional 5–10 minutes before serving.

How do I know when the sweet potatoes are done baking?

Pierce the thickest part with a fork—it should slide through easily. The skin will also soften slightly and may show small cracks.

What can I use instead of ground beef?

Ground turkey, ground lamb, or plant-based ground meat work well. Adjust seasoning as needed since leaner meats may require extra salt and spices.

Can I add spinach if the recipe doesn't call for it?

Absolutely. Sauté 2–3 cups fresh spinach or 1 cup frozen (thawed and drained) with the onion and beef. It adds nutrition and pairs naturally with the savory spice blend.