Description
This ground beef sweet potato recipe combines savory spices with creamy sweetness and a tangy whipped feta swirl, making it a family-friendly, high-protein meal perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
- 700 g (1.5 lbs) lean ground beef
- 1.2 kg (2.6 lbs) sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 large yellow onion, finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 5 g (1 tsp) ground cumin
- 7 g (1.5 tsp) smoked paprika
- 2 g (0.5 tsp) dried oregano
- 30 g (2 tbsp) tomato paste
- 240 ml (1 cup) vegetable broth
- 120 ml (0.5 cup) heavy cream, divided (60 ml for mash, 60 ml for feta)
- 30 ml (2 tbsp) olive oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 120 g (4 oz) feta cheese, crumbled
- 15 g (0.25 cup) fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare Sweet Potatoes: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Place cubed sweet potatoes in a pot, cover with salted water, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until very tender. Drain thoroughly. Return potatoes to the pot, add 60 ml (1/4 cup) heavy cream, salt, and pepper. Mash until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
- Brown Ground Beef: Heat 30 ml (2 tbsp) olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned (about 8-10 minutes). Drain any excess fat. Add diced onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- Build Beef Ragout Sauce: Stir in minced garlic, ground cumin, smoked paprika, and dried oregano with the beef and onions. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in tomato paste and cook for another minute. Pour in vegetable broth, scraping up browned bits. Simmer for 5 minutes, allowing sauce to thicken slightly. Season generously with salt and black pepper.
- Prepare Whipped Feta Swirl: While the beef ragout simmers, combine 120 g (4 oz) crumbled feta cheese with the remaining 60 ml (1/4 cup) heavy cream in a small food processor or blender. Blend until completely smooth and creamy. Add a teaspoon of hot water or broth if needed to reach a spreadable consistency.
- Assemble Casserole: Spread the mashed sweet potato evenly over the beef ragout layer in the skillet. Dollop spoonfuls of the whipped feta mixture over the sweet potato topping.
- Swirl and Bake: Using a knife or spoon, gently swirl the feta through the sweet potato layer to create streaks and peaks. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and bubbly around the edges. Let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
- Garnish and Serve: Spoon generous portions of the hot casserole into bowls. Garnish each serving with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley and a light drizzle of olive oil.
Notes
To reduce grease, use lean ground beef or substitute with ground turkey or chicken. For a spicier dish, add a pinch of chili flakes to the beef ragout. If a vegetarian option is desired, ensure the feta cheese uses microbial rennet.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (~300 g)
- Calories: 570 calories
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 41 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg