Best Cheesy Loaded Sweet Potatoes Recipes

LOADED SWEET POTATOES WITH BLACK BEANS AND CHEDDAR

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 425 degrees and line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Halve sweet potatoes lengthwise, then brush all over with olive oil and sprinkle both sides with salt.
• Place cut side down on prepared sheet and roast for 30 to 40 minutes, or until completely cooked through. Take sweet potatoes out of the oven, turn them over and let cool slightly. Use a fork to rough up the flesh and slightly flatten the potatoes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Divide half the cheese among the potato halves. Spoon the black beans over them, then cover with the remaining cheese. Return the pan to the oven and bake for another 5 minutes, until the cheese has melted and the beans have warmed through. Season with salt and pepper. Serve warm.

GRILLED CHEESY LOADED POTATOES

Steps:

• Prepare a grill for direct and indirect heat: For gas grills (with 3 or more burners), turn all the burners to medium-high heat; after about 15 minutes, turn off one of the side burners and turn the remaining burners down to medium. For charcoal grills, bank one chimney starter-full of lit and ashed-over charcoal briquettes to one side of the grill. Set up a drip pan on the other side to avoid flare-ups. (Be sure to consult the grill manufacturer's guide for best results.)
• Heat a 10-inch cast-iron skillet on direct heat and add the bacon; cook, stirring often, until crispy, about 5 minutes. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon to a paper-towel lined plate; set aside.
• Add the potatoes and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Stir to coat with the bacon fat, then move to indirect heat and cover the grill. Cook, uncovering the grill and stirring every 5 minutes, until the potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes.
• Sprinkle with the Cheddar and move back to direct heat. Cook, uncovered, until the potato bottoms are golden and the cheese is melted, about 10 minutes, depending on the heat of your grill. Let cool for 10 minutes, then dot with the sour cream and sprinkle with the scallions and reserved bacon.

LOADED SWEET POTATOES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Place the sweet potatoes on one of the prepared baking sheets. Bake until the sweet potatoes are soft to a light squeeze (with a mitt or towel), 45 minutes to an hour.
• Meanwhile, toast the pepitas in a dry skillet, stirring occasionally, until fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside.
• Add the brown sugar and spices to a medium skillet over medium-high heat and cook until the skillet is hot. Add 1 tablespoon water to the skillet and stir until the sugar is melted. Stir in the pepitas until they are completely coated, then spread the mixture on the other lined baking sheet. Let cool completely.
• Let the sweet potatoes cool slightly. Slice them in half, then lightly mash the flesh in the skin with a fork. Transfer the sweet potatoes to a serving tray. Dollop each with about 1/4 cup sour cream, then sprinkle each with the pepitas and mint. Serve immediately.