Sweet Potato Nachos
Nachos are one of those dinners that swoop in to save the day so often. We usually have a bit of leftover meat languishing in our fridge and we always have cheese, of course. Add a bag of tortilla chips and dinner is done. Here’s the thing, we don’t always have a bag of tortilla chips in the pantry. What we always have is sweet potatoes! I also love the idea of a slightly more nourishing carbohydrate that is chock full of minerals and fiber. The sweetness of the roasted sweet potatoes offsets the taco meat so well that we actually plan for nachos for dinner now rather than falling back on it when our dinner plans fall through. Of course, you can skip the sweet potato and use regular chips, make it a big taco bowl with cubes of roasted sweet potato, or just make the meat and do taco night! Its totally up to you!
Ingredients:
2 medium sweet potatoes, sliced thinly or cubed
1 tablespoon olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
1 pound ground beef
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground garlic
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
a splash of chicken broth
grated raw cheddar
your favorite toppings!
Directions:
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F and line a large baking sheet with parchment. Slice or cube your sweet potatoes to whatever size and shape you prefer. Try to get them as evenly sized as possible so they cook evenly. Put them on the sheet tray and drizzle with the olive oil, salt, and pepper. Use your hands to rub into the cut potatoes and spread them out evenly. Pop them in the oven for about 30-40 minutes depending on thickness. Meanwhile, get a wide skillet heated over medium heat. Add the ground beef and let it brown for a bit before moving it around too much. Use a wooden spoon to break it into little bits rather than chunks. When it’s well browned, you may want to drain some of the fat off if there is quite a bit. I usually put a bit of paper towel in my garbage can and pour it directly onto that. I don’t drain all of the fat, just half or so. Now you can add the seasonings. Stir them through well and add a splash of chicken broth. Let it come together for a few minutes. Around this time, the sweet potatoes should be done. Pile the beef on top and add the grated cheese. Pop it back in the oven until melted. Add your favorite toppings and enjoy!
