High Protein Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

These High Protein Stuffed Sweet Potatoes are a cozy, satisfying meal made with baked sweet potatoes filled with a savoury beef, bean, and kale mixture, finished with melted mozzarella. Hearty, nourishing, and perfect for lunch or dinner.

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High Protein Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

Happy 2026 everyone! I hope everyone had a great holiday and is settled back into the hum of work, play and all things life has to offer. Does life EVER KNOW HOW TO HIT! Here’s one thing I know: everyone is going through something. For me, I am working through a divorce. It hasn’t been easy, smooth or kind, but one thing that keeps me going is that millions of you have navigated these waters before me, and some are trudging through it now. We all have a story to tell, and while I will likely keep mine to myself, what I can say for sure is it SUCKS. I’m tired, and from where I sit, I still don’t see a finishing line. Nevertheless, here we are, a new recipe for the books and the will to continue moving forward!

Do you remember last year when I promised you all that you’d see more high protein savoury recipes? Well, I’m making good on that promise, and it starts right here! I love a lazy dinner, and this is exactly that. The potato bakes itself, and the filling is drop in a pan easily. I put a poll on my Instagram story asking everyone to vote for either beef or turkey. The beef won, but not by much! So many of you voted turkey, so if that’s your preference, feel free to make the swap!

Have you been seeing on the internet everyone talking about 2016? It’s been ten years, and so many people are observing their transformation over the decade. Wild, because 2016 doesn’t feel that long ago, but what I can tell you is this year is going to be transformative. I can feel it, and I am ready for it. I feel like major changes, new opportunities and abundance are heading my way. I already feel abundant and grateful for the amazing opportunities I have. I will be fuelling us (you and me) with clean, high protein and easy recipes. I really am so stoked for what 2026 has in store. If you are new here, HI and if you are coming back, HI. I love you all so much. Let’s get into these jacket potatoes (as they say on the other side of the pond!)

Ingredients For The Best High Protein Stuffed Potatoes

Each ingredient in these high protein stuffed potato recipes has a purpose, but feel free to swap things out for what you have on hand!

  • Sweet potatoes: the base of the dish, naturally sweet, fibre-rich, and perfect for stuffing. Use regular yukon potatoes if you want; the result will be just as delicious!
  • Olive oil: helps the potatoes roast beautifully and adds richness to the filling.
  • Onion and garlic: always essential in creating a savoury foundation and deepening the overall flavour.
  • Extra-lean ground beef: provides protein and heartiness, making this a complete meal. As mentioned previously, swap this out for turkey or any other ground meat of choice.
  • Chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika: add warmth and subtle spice without overpowering. 
  • Tomato paste and crushed tomatoes: bring depth, richness, and balance to the filling.
  • Kidney beans: add extra protein, fibre, and texture. You could also use black beans if you prefer.
  • Stock: loosens the mixture and helps everything come together. 
  • Kale: adds colour, nutrients, and a slight bitterness that balances the sweetness of the potatoes.
  • Mozzarella cheese: melts beautifully and brings everything together.
  • Salt, pepper, and chili flakes: finish the dish and allow you to adjust the seasoning to taste.

How to Make Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

Start by preheating your oven and preparing the sweet potatoes. Wash them well and poke holes all over using a fork. Don’t skip the hole poking! This is essential to allow steam to escape while they bake. Brush with olive oil and roast until fork tender, turning once during cooking.

Prepare the Filling

While the potatoes bake, prepare the filling. Sauté onion in olive oil until softened, then add garlic and cook until fragrant. Add the ground beef and cook until no longer pink, breaking it up as it cooks. Season with salt and spices. Stir in tomato paste and cook briefly to deepen its flavour, then add crushed tomatoes and kidney beans. Once bubbling, stir in stock and kale and let the mixture simmer gently until thick and cohesive.

Stuff the Potato & Bake Twice

Slice the baked sweet potatoes in half, lightly mash the flesh, season, and generously spoon the filling on top. Finish with mozzarella. The best part is putting this baby back in the oven (this time on broil) and watching closely for your cheese to get melted and bubbly. Pull it out once you’ve achieved your desired melt, wait a second or two (it’s gonna be HOT) and then serve!

How To Customize Your Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

One of the best things about stuffed sweet potatoes is how adaptable they are. You can swap the ground beef for ground turkey, chicken, or a plant-based alternative. Change up the beans, add corn or bell peppers, or experiment with different cheeses. These sweet potato boats are endlessly customizable depending on what you have on hand. You don’t have to make them exactly as I did, this is all about making the stuffed potato exactly as you want it! 

What To Serve With Stuffed Baked Potatoes

This dish is pretty hearty and filling on its own. You really don’t need anything else alongside it, BUT if you’re looking to make this a statement while hosting or just want to add a little something something, you could plate it with a simple green salad, roasted vegetables, or even a dollop of Greek yogurt or sour cream on top. They also make a great meal prep option, satisfying, reheatable, and just as delicious the next day!

Why You’ll Love These Stuffed Baked Sweet Potatoes

There are few things more satisfying than a perfectly baked sweet potato. It’s soft on the inside, slightly caramelized on the outside and just the right amount of sweet. Once you load it up with all the filling, you’ve got yourself a meal that’s also high protein, nourishing, easy to make and meal prep friendly. The recipe is warm, comforting, filling, and packed with protein, fibre, and flavour. They’re also practical; let’s be real, who doesn’t want a meal that is just easy to make and pretty customizable to what you have on hand? 

Don’t forget to poke holes in the sweet potatoes!

This step is non-negotiable. Poking holes allows steam to escape while the potatoes bake, preventing them from bursting in the oven and ensuring even cooking. It’s a small step that makes a big difference!

Stuffed Sweet Potatoes FAQ

Can I make these ahead of time? Yes. You can bake the sweet potatoes and prepare the filling in advance, then assemble and reheat when ready to serve.

Can I use regular potatoes instead of sweet potatoes? Absolutely. Yukon Gold or russet potatoes work beautifully for a classic stuffed baked potatoes recipe.

Can I air fry the sweet potatoes? Yes. Air fry at 370°F for 35–40 minutes until fork tender.

Are these good for meal prep? They’re excellent for meal prep and reheat well in the oven or microwave.

Did you make this recipe? 

Don’t forget to leave a rating and review below, and let me know how you liked it! Try these delicious meals next:

Pan Seared Ribeye Steak

One Pan Creamy Dijon Chicken and Potatoes

Air Fried Salmon with Mango Salsa

TERI ANN CARTY

Food Photographer and Recipe Developer based in Toronto, Canada. 

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High Protein Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

These High Protein Stuffed Sweet Potatoes are a cozy, satisfying meal made with baked sweet potatoes filled with a savoury beef, bean, and kale mixture, finished with melted mozzarella. Hearty, nourishing, and perfect for lunch or dinner.
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Servings: 4 servings
Author: Teri-Ann Carty
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes

Equipment

  • oven, stovetop

Ingredients

  • 2 medium sized sweet potatoes
  • 2-3 tsp olive oil
  • 1 small onion small diced
  • 2 cloves garlic finely minced
  • 1 pound extra lean ground beef
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 14.5 oz can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 can kidney beans drained and rinsed
  • ½-¾ cup stock of choice
  • 2 handfuls kale torn and de-stemmed
  • mozzarella cheese measure with your heart
  • sea salt and cracked pepper to taste
  • pinch chili flakes optional

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375.
  • Wash sweet potatoes and prick with a fork ALL OVER.
  • Brush potatoes with olive oil and place in preheated oven to bake until fork tender, turning at least once. Approximately 75 minutes.
  • Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add olive oil and onion. Sauté onion for 2-3 minutes before adding minced garlic. Cook until garlic is fragrant.
  • Add in ground beef. Use a spatula to break beef apart and cook until it is no longer pink. Mix in salt and spices.
  • Add tomato paste. Cook for about 1 minute and then add tomatoes and kidney beans. Mix everything together and cook until mixture is bubbling.
  • Stir in stock and kale, and cook for several minutes to allow mixture to come together. Reduce heat to low, stirring often until sweet potatoes are ready to stuff.
  • Once sweet potatoes are fork tender, carefully slice the potatoes in half. Use a fork to lightly mash the potatoes. Season the flesh of the potatoes with salt and pepper before scooping beef mixture on top.
  • Spread beef mixture on top of the potatoes. I reserved some beef for a different meal.
  • Top the beef with grated mozzarella and place back in the oven on broil for 3-5 minutes.
  • Serve with a salad or on its own!

Notes

You can use any type of ground meat or veggie ground you wish. I have made these with ground turkey and ground chicken and all of them were delicious.
You can use your air fryer to cook sweet potatoes at 370°F for 35-40 minutes if you prefer!
Don't love sweet potatoes? Use Yukon gold or russet potatoes instead!

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 425kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 70mg | Sodium: 1254mg | Potassium: 1593mg | Fiber: 13g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 18240IU | Vitamin C: 32mg | Calcium: 174mg | Iron: 7mg

*Macros are provided as an estimate for convenience. Your final numbers will vary depending on ingredient brands, substitutions, and how you portion the recipe.

2 Responses

  1. 5 stars
    This dish was a big hit with the family! My 9yo doesn’t like sweet potatoes, so, she had loaded potatoes instead. The adults enjoyed the original. The only minor changes I made were less chili powder and adding a bell pepper. Definitely making this again.

    1. Hey Marina! Thank you so much for sharing your experience with this recipe. I am so happy that you made the adjustment for your 9 year old so she could also enjoy the loaded goodness! Thanks for taking the time to rate this recipe 🙂

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