
Classic chili is a staple comfort food, and it’s easy to see why. Warming, hearty, and filling, a bowl of chili is one of the most satisfying meals to come home to after a long day. We’ve done our fair share of experimenting with chili recipes, and this time, we’re highlighting the super spud in this weeknight dinner. Filled with sweet potatoes, Italian sausage, bell pepper, and tomatoes, this dish will warm you up without weighing you down. Looking to switch up chili night this fall? Here’s everything you need to know about this sweet potato version:
Should I peel my sweet potatoes?
It really comes down to preference! If you peel your potatoes (like we did here), the potatoes will break down slightly in the chili, helping to thicken it up. If you prefer to have your sweet potato cubes keep their shape at the end of your chili, feel free to leave the skin on. If you do decide to leave the skin on your sweet potatoes, just make sure you scrub them very well before chopping.
Sweet potato chili variations:
We love the combination of Italian sausage, sweet potatoes, bell pepper, and tomatoes in this recipe, but feel free to get creative! Not a fan of Italian sausage? Feel free to swap it out for ground turkey, ground beef, or ground chicken. Looking to make this vegetarian? Leave out the meat, add in your favorite can of beans, and swap out the chicken broth for vegetable broth. Chili is endlessly versatile and forgiving—experiment to create your own perfect bowl!
Topping ideas for sweet potato chili:
We went simple in this recipe, choosing to top our chili with a sprinkle of fresh parsley. That being said, your chili topping options don’t stop there. Feel free to load your bowl up with sour cream, a drizzle of hot sauce, sliced avocado, shredded cheese, or crumbled crackers.
Storage.
If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Made this recipe? Let us know how it went in the comments below!
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp.
extra-virgin olive oil
- 1
medium onion, chopped
- 1
bell pepper, chopped
- 3
cloves garlic, minced
- 1 Tbsp.
tomato paste
- 1 lb.
Italian sausage
- 1 Tbsp.
chili powder
- 1 tsp.
dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp.
garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp.
cayenne
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
- 4
large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed into 1" pieces
- 3 cups
low-sodium chicken broth
- 1
(14.5-oz.) can diced tomatoes
Freshly chopped parsley, for serving
Directions
- Step 1In a large pot over medium heat, heat oil. Add onion and bell pepper and cook until soft, 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, 1 minute more, then add tomato paste and stir until well coated. Add sausage and cook, breaking up meat with a wooden spoon until no longer pink, 7 minutes. Add chili powder, oregano, garlic powder, and cayenne and season with salt and pepper.
- Step 2Add sweet potatoes, broth, and tomatoes and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and let simmer, covered, until sweet potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes.
- Step 3Garnish with parsley before serving.

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