27+ Sweet Potato Recipes (Budget-Friendly)

By Sweetpeasandsaffron

Sweet potatoes are one of the cheapest, most nutrient-dense, and most underused vegetables in the produce aisle. This roundup of 25+ sweet potato recipes covers breakfasts, bowls and salads, dinners, and sides so the whole bag gets used.

I've developed meal prep recipes for more than a decade, and sweet potatoes show up in my rotation more than almost any other vegetable. They roast, mash, freeze, and reheat without turning sad, which is a short list of qualities most vegetables can't claim.

Every recipe below is one we've developed, shot and tested, and I've sorted them into categories people actually cook from: breakfasts, sides, bowls and salads, and dinners.

Why Sweet Potatoes Belong in Your Meal Prep Rotation

  • They're one of the cheapest nutrient-dense foods in the store.
  • They hold up after cooking. Whether they're roasted, mashed, or baked they hold their flavor and texture unlike many other veggies.
  • One batch to meal prep several meals. You can roast one big tray and use it to help fill out a week's worth of breakfasts, sides, and dinners.

Side Dish Recipes

Roasted Sweet Potatoes Recipe These easy Roasted Sweet Potatoes require just a few simple ingredients and are ready with minimal prep. They're a versatile, budget-friendly side dish that works well for meal prep and pairs with almost any main course. Check out this recipe Gluten Free Sweet Potato Casserole A traditional sweet potato casserole that happens to be gluten free! This dish is made with simple ingredients, warm spices and a rich brown sugar pecan topping! Check out this recipe Baked Sweet Potatoes in Oven Step by step directions showing you how to bake sweet potatoes to tender, fluffy perfection! This guide has photos and tips showing how to prepare and store baked sweet potatoes, plus recipes to use them up in! Check out this recipe Twice Baked Sweet Potato Casserole This twice baked sweet potato casserole is a delicious, single-serve side dish for your holiday table! Featuring a creamy yogurt mashed sweet potato stuffing that is sweetened with maple syrup, and topped with a pecan butter streusel. Check out this recipe PERFECT Sweet Potatoes in Instant Pot Perfect Instant Pot sweet potatoes each and every time, with perfect, creamy insides. A time chart based on the width of your sweet potatoes ensures they are perfectly cooked each time. Check out this recipe Ultra Creamy Crock Pot Sweet Potatoes How to make ultra creamy crock pot sweet potatoes that are perfect for meal prep. 5 minutes prep, one ingredient, plus 10+ delicious ways to use them up! Check out this recipe How to Cook a Sweet Potato in the Microwave This post shows you how to cook a sweet potato in the microwave. It's quick and efficient, and a great way to do it when you're in a rush! Check out this recipe Crispy Air Fryer Sweet Potato Tots Crispy air fryer sweet potato tots are made with only five ingredients and just a touch of spray oil. They can be made ahead and frozen, then go directly into the air fryer from frozen for an easy, kid-approved snack or side dish. Recipe includes directions for making these sweet potato tots in the oven as well. Check out this recipe Herbed Sweet Potato Stacks Wow your guests with these herbed sweet potato stacks! Sweet potatoes are sliced razor-thin, brushed with butter, sprinkled with parmesan cheese and herbs, then stacked vertically. Check out this recipe Easy Mashed Sweet Potatoes These easy mashed sweet potatoes are buttery and slightly sweet with an ultra-smooth and creamy texture! Made with 6 simple ingredients, they are quick to prepare and can be prepped ahead. Check out this recipe How to Cook Sweet Potatoes How to cook sweet potatoes- showing you seven different ways to cook sweet potatoes, how to store them for meal prep, and lots of recipe ideas! Check out this recipe Sweet Potato Crostinis with Spiced Ricotta and Roasted Cranberries These sweet potato crostinis are topped with nutmeg-spiced ricotta and roasted cranberries. Pretty, healthy and a delicious appetizer for your holiday party! Check out this recipe

Bowls and Salads

Sweet Potato Taco Bowls Sweet potato taco bowls are a balanced dinner with crispy potatoes, cheese, avocado and taco seasoned beef. Check out this recipe Turkey Sausage and Sweet Potato Lunch Bowls Loaded with turkey sausage, sweet potatoes and grilled vegetables, these sweet potato lunch bowls are drizzled with a tahini dressing for a light but tasty lunch option. Check out this recipe Southwestern Sweet Potato & Lentil Jar Salads These sweet potato & lentil jar salads have the most amazing chili lime vinaigrette! Make them ahead and enjoy throughout the week for an easy, healthy on-the-go lunch. Check out this recipe Fall Burrito Bowls with Sweet Potatoes and Pepitas These fall burrito bowls are made with juicy maple pulled pork, sweet potatoes, pepitas, and your favorite burrito ingredients. Easy to prep ahead and throw together for easy lunches or dinner. Check out this recipe Southwestern Wild Rice and Sweet Potato Salad Wild rice and sweet potato salad is loaded with healthy veggies and tossed in a chili lime vinaigrette. Gluten-free, vegan-friendly, and perfect for lunch or a side salad! Check out this recipe

Sweet Potato Breakfast Ideas

Southwestern Sweet Potato Egg Muffins (Make Ahead) A healthy make-ahead sweet potato egg muffins recipe!  Egg muffins get a southwestern twist with black beans, corn and sweet potatoes. Check out this recipe Sweet Potato Pancakes These sweet potato pancakes are lightly sweetened with maple syrup, and so fluffy! With cinnamon and nutmeg, these are a delicious and healthy breakfast enjoyed by kids and adults. Check out this recipe Overnight Breakfast Casserole with Bacon and Sweet Potatoes Overnight breakfast casserole with bacon and sweet potato is a healthy, hearty breakfast for a crowd! Assemble it the night before, refrigerate, then bake it up in the morning. Check out this recipe Sweet Potato Spanish Omelette A lighter, higher protein twist on a Spanish Omelette, made with sweet potatoes and a baked egg base. This dish is meal prep friendly and contains 12 grams of protein per serving. Check out this recipe Freezer Sweet Potato Waffles (Extra Crispy) These freezer sweet potato waffles are healthier and crispy. With sweet potato puree and cornmeal, they are savory and perfect to load up with your favorite waffle toppings! Check out this recipe Sweet Potato Meal Prep Breakfast Bowls Make these sweet potato breakfast meal prep bowls ahead of time and you'll be rewarded with four delicious, veggie-packed breakfasts waiting for you in the fridge.
Check out this recipe

Dinners

Sweet Potato Falafel Pitas with Tahini Sauce These sweet potato falafel pitas are a fun remix on the classic falafel: soft and slightly sweet. Bake them up in the oven and serve in a pita with crunchy veggies and a drizzle of tahini sauce. Check out this recipe Taco Stuffed Sweet Potatoes Taco stuffed sweet potatoes are a delicious lunch or dinner recipe and great loaded up with your favorite toppings! Perfect for meal prep and freezer-friendly. Check out this recipe Freezer to Oven Enchilada Stuffed Sweet Potatoes With delicious TexMex flavors, these enchilada stuffed sweet potatoes are great for lunch or dinner. You can prep them ahead and freeze for easy meals during busy weeks. Check out this recipe Sausage Stuffed Sweet Potatoes Sweet and slightly spicy, these sausage stuffed sweet potatoes are totally delicious! Sweet potato filling is mashed with cumin, salt and creamy yogurt, topped with spicy Italian sausage, and sprinkled with pepper jack. Simple, tasty, and easy to prep ahead. Check out this recipe Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Quinoa Stew Hearty, healthy, and filled with delicious southwestern flavor, this slow cooker black bean, quinoa and sweet potato stew is so easy to prep! Works great as a weeknight dinner, and can be meal prepped in multiple ways. Check out this recipe Chipotle Sweet Potato Black Bean Quesadillas These sweet potato black bean quesadillas are the best of both worlds: creamy on the inside and crispy on the outside. With a hint of spice and smokiness from chipotle peppers, sweetness from the sweet potatoes, and (of course) gooey cheese, these quesadillas are a dinner that is loved by all. Check out this recipe

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