Sweet Potato Nacho Casserole: A Comfort Dinner Idea

Ever found yourself staring into the fridge at 6 PM, torn between wanting comfort food and sticking to your healthy eating goals? I’ve been there too.

That’s exactly why I fell in love with this Sweet Potato Nacho Casserole.

To be honest, that’s my answer to the eternal weeknight dinner struggle i.e. combining the cozy satisfaction of nachos with the nutritional goodness of sweet potatoes.

This dish is all about layers of tender sweet potato slices, spiced black beans, and creamy cashew queso, all topped with fresh fixings.

The best part? It’s a guilt-free twist on everyone’s favorite comfort food that comes together easily on busy nights.

Here’s everything you need to know about making this delicious dinner, plus some handy tips and tools that will make your cooking experience seamless.

Choose Your Dinner Recipe Type & Preferences
Organic & Healthy Version | Easy To Make (Minimalist)

Affiliate Disclosure: This blog post contains affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission if you decide to make a purchase through them – at no additional cost to you. Your support helps keep our content flowing and the site thriving.

Ingredients You’ll Need To Make Sweet Potato Nacho Casserole Dinner

Here’s what you’ll need to create this masterpiece. I’ve linked some of my favorites that will help you get the best results:

For the Sweet Potato Base

• For the richest flavor, I highly recommend using organic sweet potatoes and these specific brands of Organic Sweet Potatoes on Amazon are my go-to because they consistently have a vibrant color and sweet taste. Plus, ordering them online saves me a trip to the store.
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (extra-virgin olive oil for a premium touch)
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper

For the Spiced Black Beans

• Two cans of wholesome, organic black beans (BPA-free), rinsed and ready to use
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin (try this spice set for versatility)
• ½ teaspoon chili powder
• 1 clove garlic, minced (Use garlic press for efficiency)
• ½ cup diced onions

For the Cashew Queso

• 1 cup raw cashews, soaked for 4 hours or boiled for 15 minutes (high-quality raw cashews)
• You’ll need one-half cup of unsweetened almond milk for this recipe.
• Three tablespoons of nutritional yeast (vegan-friendly, adds cheesy flavor)
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• Salt to taste

Toppings (Optional but Recommended)

• 1 ripe avocado, diced (fresh avocados delivered to your door)
• Fresh cilantro, chopped
• Sliced jalapenos
• Freshly diced tomatoes, or for a vibrant twist, organic salsa with a lively citrus spark.
• Plain Greek yogurt or vegan sour cream (a creamy dairy-free alternative)

Step-by-Step Instructions To Make Sweet Potato Nacho Casserole For Dinner

Step 1: Prepare the Sweet Potato Base

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) followed by washing and peeling the sweet potatoes, then slicing them into ¼-inch rounds.

Next, place the slices in a single layer on a baking sheet coated with parchment paper.

And then, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and bake for 15 minutes.

Turn the slices and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes, checking for tenderness and lightly browned edges.

Pro Tip: Use a mandoline slicer to ensure even slices that cook perfectly.

Step 2: Cook the Spiced Black Beans

Heat a skillet over medium heat and add a drizzle of olive oil so that you can saute the onions until translucent.

Then, add the garlic and spices (smoked paprika, cumin, chili powder) and cook for five minutes so that the flavors combine well.

Step 3: Blend the Cashew Queso

Drain and rinse the soaked cashews and then add them to a blender along with almond milk, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and a pinch of salt.

Blend until smooth and creamy and if necessary, add a splash of almond milk to achieve the desired consistency.

Pro Tip: Believe it or not The creamiest cashew queso is made in a high-speed blender and a slow moving mediocre blender can ruin the whole fun.

Step 4: Assemble the Casserole

Distribute the baked sweet potato slices in even layers within the casserole dish.

Spread the spiced black beans evenly over the top (Drizzle generously with cashew queso).

Repeat the layers if needed. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 10-15 minutes to warm everything through.

Step 5: Add Toppings and Serve

Allow the dish to cool for a few minutes after taking it out of the oven and then add your favorite toppings like diced avocado, cilantro, jalapeños, and salsa.

Serve immediately and watch it disappear!

Tools to Make Your Cooking Easier

Here are some kitchen essentials that will make preparing this casserole a breeze:

• Mandoline slicer: Perfect for slicing sweet potatoes uniformly.
• High-speed blender: A high-speed blender like this Ninja BL770 is crucial for achieving that ultra-creamy, smooth cashew queso because based on my past experience I can confidently say that a regular blender might leave you with a gritty texture.
• Non-stick casserole dish: For flawlessly even baking and a quick, easy clean.
• Spice rack organizer: Keep all your spices handy for recipes like this.

Why This Sweet Potato Nacho Casserole Recipe Works for Everyone

For Families

This casserole is kid-friendly, customizable, and loaded with hidden nutrients.

I would say allow your children to assist by adding toppings or layering ingredients (Trust me, it’s so much fun).

For Health-Conscious Eaters

It’s naturally gluten-free, packed with plant-based protein, and offers a balanced meal with fiber-rich sweet potatoes and beans.

For Busy Cooks

Prep the components ahead of time and simply assemble and bake when ready to eat. Leftovers reheat beautifully.

Final Thoughts

After making this Sweet Potato Nacho Casserole, I have noticed that my weeknight dinner routine has clearly transformed, and I’m confident it will change yours too.

The beauty lies not just in its incredible taste, but in how it brings together convenience, nutrition, and pure comfort.

With all that said, I must say that while you can make this dish with basic kitchen tools, I’ve found investing in a quality mandoline slicer and high-speed blender takes the experience from good to exceptional.

Grab your ingredients and tools, and join me in making this family-favorite casserole.

Trust me – once you try this healthier spin on nachos, there’s no going back to traditional versions.

Ready to give it a try? Grab your ingredients, pick up the handy tools I’ve recommended, and let’s make dinnertime exciting again.

Frequently Asked Questions