Quinoa Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
1 h 5 min
|
intermediate
|
lactose-free,
low-fat,
Mediterranean diet,
vegan
Recipe by Eunice
| Prep Time | Cook Time | Total Time |
|---|---|---|
| 20 min | 45 min | 1 h 5 min |
Introduction
These quinoa stuffed sweet potatoes are cozy, colorful, and packed with feel-good flavor in every bite.
Fluffy, seasoned quinoa and a bright, garlicky sofrito tuck inside tender roasted sweet potatoes for a hearty vegetarian main.
They are perfect for meal prep, meatless Monday, or an easy weeknight dinner that still feels a little special.
Ingredients (4 servings)
Ingredients for the Sweet Potatoes:
Ingredients for the Quinoa:
Ingredients for the Sofrito:
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How to Make Quinoa Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
-
Prep and bake the sweet potatoes
Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a sheet pan with parchment or lightly grease it.
Scrub the sweet potatoes, dry them, and pierce each several times with a fork.
Place on the pan and bake until very tender, about 45 minutes depending on size.
-
Cook the seasoned quinoa
While the potatoes bake, combine the rinsed quinoa and vegetable broth in a medium saucepan.
Stir in the cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes.
Turn off the heat and let the quinoa sit covered for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
-
Blend the sofrito base
Add the onion, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, garlic, cilantro, and salt to a blender.
Pulse until everything is very finely chopped and forms a loose, fragrant paste, scraping down the sides as needed.
-
Cook the sofrito
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until it shimmers.
Add the sofrito paste and cook, stirring often, until the onions soften and the mixture thickens, about 5 minutes.
-
Scoop and mash the sweet potato flesh
When the sweet potatoes are cool enough to handle, slice them open lengthwise on the top.
Gently push the ends toward each other to open the centers.
Scoop roughly one third of the soft flesh from each potato into a mixing bowl.
Mash the scooped sweet potato with a fork until mostly smooth.
-
Combine quinoa, sofrito, and mashed sweet potato
Add half of the cooked quinoa to the bowl with the mashed sweet potato.
Spoon all of the warm sofrito into the bowl and stir until everything is evenly combined.
Taste and adjust the seasoning with a little extra salt or pepper if you like.
-
Stuff the sweet potatoes and serve
Divide the quinoa and sofrito mixture among the sweet potato shells, packing it gently into the centers.
Top each potato with some of the remaining plain quinoa for texture and color contrast.
Return the stuffed potatoes to the oven for 5 to 10 minutes to rewarm, or serve immediately if still hot.
Substitutions
- Vegetable broth -> Mushroom broth
- Use mushroom broth instead of vegetable broth for deeper umami flavor and a slightly earthier background that pairs well with sweet potatoes.
- Portion of sweet potato flesh -> Cooked black beans
- Replace half of the scooped sweet potato with cooked black beans for extra protein, more fiber, and a pretty marbled filling.
- Olive oil -> Avocado oil
- Swap the olive oil for avocado oil if you prefer its neutral flavor and higher smoke point for cooking the sofrito.
Tips
- Choose evenly sized sweet potatoes
- Pick sweet potatoes that are close in size so they bake at the same rate and are all tender at the same time.
- Bake until fully soft, not just tender
- Let the potatoes cook until a knife slides through easily, which makes scooping and mashing much easier and creamier.
- Rinse quinoa very well
- Rinse quinoa under cool water until it runs clear to remove bitterness, which keeps the filling clean and pleasantly nutty.
- Make sofrito ahead
- Blend and cook the sofrito a day or two ahead and refrigerate, then just rewarm it before mixing with the quinoa.
Nutrition Facts *
| Energy | 371 | kcal |
|---|---|---|
| Protein | 8 | g |
| Total Fat | 9 | g |
| Carbohydrates | 64 | g |
| Dietary Fiber | 9 | g |
* Approximate, per serving.
Data source: USDA FoodData Central.
FAQ
- My quinoa came out mushy. What went wrong?
- Too much liquid or cooking time can make quinoa mushy. Stick to the listed ratio, keep the lid on while simmering, and let it rest off heat before fluffing.
- Can I make these stuffed sweet potatoes ahead of time?
- Yes, assemble them fully, cool, and refrigerate for up to three days, then reheat in a 350°F oven until warmed through.
- How can I speed up the sweet potatoes on a busy night?
- Microwave the scrubbed potatoes for 6 to 8 minutes first, then finish in the oven for about 15 minutes for better texture and flavor.
- Can I add extra protein to this recipe?
- You can stir cooked lentils, black beans, or shredded rotisserie chicken into the quinoa mixture, then taste and add a bit more seasoning.
Serving Suggestions
This stuffed sweet potato makes a full meal on its own, but it also loves simple sides like a green salad.
For a special touch, add toppings like sliced avocado, lime wedges, or a sprinkle of crumbled feta if you eat dairy.
Leftovers taste even better the next day, so this recipe works nicely for Sunday meal prep.
More pairings:
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