Sweet and Savory Sweet Potato Chili with Beef and Italian Sausage

There is something about the first cool evening of the season that makes me want a pot of chili simmering on the stove. This week's Wellness Wednesday recipe started as a classic vegetarian sweet potato chili, and I decided to make it my own by browning a mix of lean ground beef and Italian sausage on the side, then folding it into the pot once the sweet potatoes were tender. The result is a chili that plays sweet against savory in a way that feels completely different from a traditional bowl, and my family could not get enough of it. I topped mine with sour cream, fresh cilantro, and avocado, and served it with a slice of toasted sourdough for scooping up every last bit.

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 cups low sodium vegetable broth
  • 2 (15 ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 (28 ounce) can fire roasted diced tomatoes
  • 1 (4.5 ounce) can chopped green chiles
  • 1/2 pound lean ground beef
  • 1/2 pound Italian sausage
  • Toppings: sour cream, fresh cilantro, diced avocado
  • Sourdough bread, for serving

Method

  • Cook the ground beef and Italian sausage together in a separate skillet until fully browned, then set the meat aside.
  • In a large pot, heat the olive oil and cook the onion, sweet potatoes, bell pepper, and garlic until they begin to soften.
  • Stir in the chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper until the spices become fragrant.
  • Add the vegetable broth, black beans, diced tomatoes, and green chiles, and bring the mixture to a boil.
  • Cover the pot, reduce the heat, and let it simmer for about 30 minutes, until the sweet potatoes are tender and the chili has thickened.
  • Fold in the cooked beef and sausage and let everything simmer together for a few more minutes so the flavors come together.
  • Ladle into bowls and top with sour cream, cilantro, and avocado. Serve alongside a warm slice of toasted sourdough.


    Health benefits
    • Sweet potatoes are rich in beta carotene, which the body converts to vitamin A, along with fiber that supports digestion and helps maintain steady blood sugar.
    • Black beans add plant based protein and additional fiber, which helps this dish keep you full longer.
    • Lean ground beef and Italian sausage contribute iron, zinc, and vitamin B12, nutrients that support energy production and healthy red blood cells.
    • Avocado brings heart healthy monounsaturated fats to the bowl.
    • Fresh cilantro adds a boost of antioxidants along with a bright, fresh finish.
    • Together, this sweet and savory chili makes for a satisfying, protein rich meal that still keeps vegetables at the center of the plate.

    Please consult your physician for dietary recommendations.To see me as a private patient, contact the office. Call 915 585 1300, visit www.vitalitymdwellness.com, or stop by 1309 Montana Ave, El Paso, TX 79902.Wishing you a wealth of health,Dr. Michelle Mendoza, MD, Board Certified Internal Medicine and Integrative Medicine