This Sweet Potato Goat Cheese dish is creamy and comforting! With roasted sweet potatoes and tangy goat cheese, it’s a mouthwatering combination that’s hard to resist.
You can serve it as a side or enjoy it as a cozy snack. Whenever I make this, I can’t help but sneak a few bites straight from the baking dish! Yum!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Sweet Potatoes: These are the star of the dish! Look for firm, unbruised potatoes. If you don’t have sweet potatoes, regular potatoes can work but will change the flavor.
Goat Cheese: This gives a creamy and tangy kick. If you’re not a fan of goat cheese, you could use feta or ricotta as a substitute. Cream cheese also works well for a milder taste!
Fresh Thyme: Thyme adds a lovely herbal note. If you can’t find fresh thyme, dried thyme can be a substitute—just use half the amount since dried herbs are more concentrated in flavor.
Sun-Dried Tomatoes: They add a burst of flavor. You can swap these with roasted red peppers or leave them out if you prefer a simpler taste. For sweetness, dried cranberries are a great alternative!
How Do You Get the Perfect Sweet Potato “Boats”?
Making the perfect sweet potato boats can be tricky. You want just the right scoop of flesh to create a sturdy shell. Here’s how to do that:
- After slicing the sweet potatoes in half, use a spoon to gently scoop out the flesh, leaving about a 1/4 inch along the edges.
- Be careful not to puncture the skin, as you want them to hold their shape while baking.
- Start from the center and work your way out, rotating the spoon to create a smooth, rounded base.
With a little practice, you’ll have perfectly shaped potato boats ready to fill with deliciousness!
How to Make Sweet Potato Goat Cheese
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Dish:
- 3 large sweet potatoes
- 4 oz goat cheese, crumbled
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves (plus extra for garnish)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons chopped sun-dried tomatoes (or dried cranberries for a sweeter touch)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Optional: 1 teaspoon balsamic glaze for drizzling
Time Needed:
This recipe will take you about 10 minutes to prep and 40-45 minutes in total, including baking time. So, in about an hour, you’ll have a delicious and satisfying dish ready to enjoy!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepping the Sweet Potatoes:
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). While that’s heating up, wash the sweet potatoes thoroughly. Then, using a sharp knife, carefully slice each sweet potato in half lengthwise. You’ll want to scoop out some of the flesh to create a “boat,” leaving about a 1/4 inch border around the edges. Don’t throw away that flesh—you’ll use it shortly, so set it aside.
2. Making the Filling:
In a medium bowl, mash the reserved sweet potato flesh. Add the olive oil, minced garlic, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh thyme leaves. Mix everything together until it’s well combined, and season with salt and pepper to your liking. This filling is going to add so much flavor!
3. Stuffing the Sweet Potatoes:
Now, take that delicious mixture and spoon it evenly back into each sweet potato half. Make sure to pack it in nicely. Once you’ve filled them all, place the stuffed sweet potatoes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. This helps with easy clean-up later!
4. Baking Time:
Put the baking sheet in the preheated oven and let the sweet potatoes bake for about 25-30 minutes. You’re looking for them to be fork-tender and the filling to be heated through. Once that timer goes off, it’s time to take them out!
5. Adding the Goat Cheese:
Carefully remove the sweet potatoes from the oven and top each half generously with crumbled goat cheese. Don’t hold back—this is where the creamy goodness comes in! After topping them, return them to the oven and bake for an additional 5-7 minutes. You want the cheese to soften and just begin to brown slightly.
6. Final Touches:
When they’re ready, take them out of the oven! For an extra touch of flavor and elegance, garnish with a sprinkle of additional fresh thyme leaves and a drizzle of balsamic glaze if you’re using it.
7. Serve and Enjoy:
These sweet potato goat cheese boats are now ready to be served! Enjoy them warm as a tasty side dish or a light main course. They’re cozy, creamy, and full of flavor—perfect for any occasion!
Enjoy your Sweet Potato Goat Cheese dish, and don’t forget to share with friends and family!
Can I Use Other Types of Cheese?
Absolutely! If goat cheese isn’t your favorite, you can substitute it with feta or ricotta for a different flavor. Cream cheese can also work well for a milder taste. Just remember that the texture and taste will slightly change!
What If I Don’t Have Fresh Thyme?
No worries! You can use dried thyme instead. Just remember, dried herbs are more potent, so use about half the amount you would use of fresh thyme. If you’d like, you can also try other herbs like rosemary or oregano!
Can I Make This Dish Ahead of Time?
Yes, you can prepare the sweet potatoes and the filling a day ahead. Just store the stuffed sweet potatoes in an airtight container in the fridge. When you’re ready to eat, bake them as directed, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time if they come from the fridge.
How Should I Store Leftovers?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, place them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through. Enjoy them again as a delicious snack or side dish!
