Healthy Mexican Sweet Potato Casserole
This vegetarian Healthy Mexican Sweet Potato Casserole is a delicious casserole dish topped with toasted almonds, raisins, fresh lime, and cilantro!
Happy Wednesday, Friends! Today I’m sharing a delicious Healthy Mexican Sweet Potato Casserole, in the midst of our epic snow storm in Oregon. (Elliot, air guitaring while shoveling:)
Can you say, yes, please? I know, it’s really good. Especially for a cozy meal.
But first, why do I have so many casserole recipes on my blog? HA, well the answer would be: They are easy.
How to make a Mexican Sweet Potato Casserole
This Healthy Mexican Sweet Potato Casserole is a vegetarian dish. So if you have vegetarian friends, there are a ton of vegetarian casseroles (or one pot meals) that you can make. And that are super yummy!
- Caramelize the onions and peppers.
- Mash the sweet potatoes with sour cream and spices.
- Prepare a baking dish and place onion mixture at bottom, then spread out the sweet potatoes on top.
- Sprinkle the cheddar cheese on top with cayenne pepper. Broil until the cheese is melted!
- Remove form oven and top with toasted almonds, raisins, fresh lime, and cilantro!
What makes a dish a casserole?
A casserole is a large, deep pan used both in the oven and for serving. The word is also used for the food cooked and served in it.
A casserole may also be called a covered dish (I always smile when I hear that term, thinking of church potlucks), stew, meat pie, pottage, or pot pie.
You may also like my Chicken Quinoa Black Bean Bake recipe or my friend Maria’s Green Chile Enchilada Quinoa Bake.
Casseroles are great for casual hosting
Casseroles are also super easy to make for company. Think about it–you do it all before your guests arrive. Pop it in the oven, and time it to be done when you think you’ll be sitting down for the meal. Which is why I say they are great for casual hosting!
Also, I think this is super important to understand about hosting in the 20th century: People do not expect big, fancy meals.
A one-pot dish is good enough.
Filling, delicious, and maybe add a salad with it.
Ask your guests to bring a bottle of wine, and maybe their favorite flavor of gelato.
You’ve got a meal!
Why do we host, even on weeknights?
You know that hospitality is important. I know that hospitality is important. It’s never a waste of time. And, it is never about us. So if a weeknight works out for us and our guests, we dive right in.
Whatever your style, make it your art, and get involved in the lives of others.
A casserole eventually goes into the oven at some point, so make sure the pan you are building the recipe in is oven-safe.
The most common pan size for casseroles is a 9×13 inch pan.
Back to hosting
I also think about what happens after we host others in our home for a meal. What?? Yes, it takes courage to invite. and courage leads to connection.
It’s all so very worth it!
Above recipe served with Mexican Sweet Potato Quinoa Casserole and Curried Mashed Sweet Potatoes (a great vegetarian meal).
ENJOY!
Get the Recipe:
Healthy Mexican Sweet Potato Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced (about 1/8’’)
- 2 Poblano peppers, cut into 1/4 ‘’ strips
- 2 red bell peppers, cut into strips
- 2 small sweet potatoes, mashed
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup sharp cheddar, grated
- 1/4 cup toasted sliced almonds
- 1/8 cup mixed raisins, plumped
- 4 Tbsp. olive oil, divided
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp cumin
- 2 tsp chili powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 tsp cayenne plus some to sprinkle
- Lime
- Cilantro to garnish
Instructions
- In a medium skillet, sauté onion in 2 tbsp of oil on medium high until they begin to caramelize and slightly char, for 7-10 minutes. Salt and pepper to taste.
- Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, heat the remaining oil on high heat and sauté peppers until slightly tender and charred, about 7-10 minutes. Salt and pepper to taste.
- Remove onions and peppers from heat and combine in one pan--take a paper towel to absorb any excess oil.
- In a medium bowl, combine mashed sweet potato with sour cream and spices.
- In an 8X8 pan, place onion mixture at bottom, then spread out the sweet potato on top. Sprinkle the cheddar on top with cayenne pepper. Broil on high (one rack level bellow the top) and allow cheese to melt and brown—about 4 minutes.
- Remove form oven and top with toasted almonds, raisins, fresh lime, and cilantro!
Hello and welcome to my home and table!
I’m Sandy—lover of food, family, cooking, THE BIG BOARD, travel, and bringing people together. Through great recipes and connection around the table, we become better, stronger, and more courageous people. Feasting on Life is real, and every time we do it, we grow a little more. Read more...
I need ideas for vegetarians and these look entertaining
This looks amazing and I will try it soon. We don’t like super spicy foods so would it be bad to leave out the poblano pepper?
PS: Here in Minnesota we call these casseroles “hot dishes” :)
I love that … hot dishes. Yes, you can leave out the pepper, but did you know that poblano peppers aren’t really that hot? :)