Loaded Sweet Potatoes

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Cheddar cheese, scallions and bacon flavor these "twice-baked" sweet potatoes. Quick and easy to make, this loaded sweet potato recipe is perfect for the holidays or a weeknight meal.

Prep Time:
15 mins
Additional Time:
15 mins
Total Time:
30 mins
Servings:
4
Yield:
4 servings
  • This delicious dish is simple to prepare and ideal for both holiday gatherings and weeknight dinners.
  • Sweet potatoes are rich in antioxidants and fiber, plus vitamin A for vision and C for immune support.
  • Prep the potatoes up to 3 days in advance. Just store in an airtight container in the fridge.

Take your potato game up a notch with these Loaded Sweet Potatoes. Melty Cheddar cheese, a touch of salty bacon and a sprinkling of spicy scallions top a creamy antioxidant-rich baked sweet potato for a nutritious side. Keep reading for our expert tips on ingredient substitutions and some great ideas on what to serve with your loaded sweet potato.

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too! 

  • We recommend using a microwave for cooking, but you can also bake the sweet potatoes in a 425°F oven for 40 to 45 minutes. To save time, you can do this 3 days in advance and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
  • Feel free to substitute the extra-sharp Cheddar cheese with Gruyère, Monterey Jack or any other favorite melting cheese you have on hand.
  • If you're avoiding bacon, you can replace it with bits of shiitake mushrooms or tempeh.
  • The topping possibilities for sweet potatoes are endless. While we enjoy the simplicity and flavor of this recipe, you could also add black beans, chickpeas, shredded cabbage or any other toppings you prefer.

Nutrition Notes

  • Sweet potatoes are loaded with disease-fighting antioxidants and fiber. The vitamin A in sweet potatoes supports your vision and, combined with the vitamin C, boosts your immunity.
  • Cheddar cheese adds a little protein and calcium to your sweet potato—not to mention ooey-gooey goodness. If your body is super sensitive to sodium or you don't care for Cheddar, consider swapping it for Swiss or mozzarella, both of which are low-sodium cheeses.
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 4 servings

  • 2 medium sweet potatoes (1½ pounds)

  • ½ cup shredded extra-sharp Cheddar cheese

  • 3 scallions, sliced, divided

  • 2 slices cooked bacon, chopped, divided

  • ¼ teaspoon salt

  • ¼ teaspoon ground pepper

  • 4 tablespoons reduced-fat sour cream

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F.

  2. Prick 2 sweet potatoes all over with a fork. Place on a microwave-safe plate and microwave on High until tender, flipping potatoes halfway, about 12 minutes. When cool enough to handle, slice the potatoes in half lengthwise. Spoon the flesh into a medium bowl. Stir in ½ cup cheese, all but 1 tablespoon of the scallions, half of the chopped bacon, ¼ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper.

    Four cooked sweet potato halves with the filling scooped out and placed into a bowl next to them

    Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall

  3. Place the potato shells on a rimmed baking sheet. Divide the mixture between the shells. Bake until the cheese is melted and the filling is hot, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and top each half with 1 tablespoon sour cream. Sprinkle with the remaining 1 tablespoon scallions and the remaining bacon.

    A light blue plate with three loaded sweet potato recipe halves

    Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall

Equipment

Rimmed baking sheet

To make ahead

Cook the bacon 4 days before making the recipe. It should be wrapped and stored in the refrigerator.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What's the best way to microwave sweet potatoes?

    Cooking sweet potatoes in the microwave first (instead of baking them) speeds up the cooking time. Prick the sweet potatoes with a fork in several places, allowing steam to escape while they cook. Place the sweet potatoes on a microwave-safe plate and flip them halfway through the cooking process. Microwave the sweet potatoes in intervals until they are tender all the way to the center, about 12 minutes.

  • What's the difference between sweet potatoes vs. yams?

    You might come across sweet potatoes at the grocery store labeled as yams, but in reality, true yams are not commonly found in the U.S. Although both can be cooked similarly, sweet potatoes have a sweet flavor, while yams are starchy, resembling potatoes or yuca.

  • What should I serve with Loaded Sweet Potatoes?

    Whether it's a weekday or you're preparing a holiday meal, this delicious side dish pairs well with many main dishes, including Perfect Prime Rib, Simple Roast Chicken, Steak au Poivre and Herb-Roasted Turkey Breast with Garlic.


    Loaded sweet potatoes can also be the main course when paired with Kale Salad with Balsamic & Parmesan, Green Salad with Edamame & Beets or Broccoli with Balsamic Mushrooms.

  • How should I store and reheat Loaded Sweet Potatoes?

    If you have leftovers, store the potatoes and sour cream topping in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. They'll be good for about 3 days. To reheat the potatoes, microwave them on Medium for 1 to 2 minutes until they reach the desired temperature and then add the topping.

EatingWell.com, March 2020

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

148 Calories
8g Fat
14g Carbs
6g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Serving Size 1 stuffed sweet potato
Calories 148
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 14g 5%
Dietary Fiber 2g 8%
Total Sugars 4g
Protein 6g 13%
Total Fat 8g 10%
Saturated Fat 4g 20%
Cholesterol 22mg 7%
Vitamin A 11281IU 226%
Vitamin C 13mg 15%
Folate 16mcg 4%
Sodium 338mg 15%
Calcium 142mg 11%
Iron 1mg 4%
Magnesium 24mg 6%
Potassium 350mg 7%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

Additional reporting by
Carrie Myers, M.S.,
Carrie Myers
Carrie Myers is a portfolio entrepreneur with more than 30 years of experience in the health and wellness space. As a writer and editor, Carrie has worked for both consumer and trade print and online publications. She's been quoted in several articles as a health and fitness expert. Carrie is also a certified life and wellness coach and exercise physiologist, and the founder of CarrieMichele Co., a lifestyle company that helps women create lives they love where they can be authentic.
Jan Valdez,

Jan Valdez has years of experience working in test kitchens, primarily in research and development and product development. Her experience in the Good Housekeeping test kitchen in New York City launched a career in professional test kitchens.

and
Linda Frahm
Linda Frahm has been a copy editor and fact checker working with food and nutrition content for the past 30-plus years for consumer print and online publications.