Surprising Sweetpotato Swaps

Summer is coming to a close, and it’s time to start thinking about healthy ways to fuel your family as in-person or virtual learning, sports and other activities ramp back up. Instead of your everyday dinner, mix your menu up with one of the North Carolina SweetPotato Commission’s favorite family-friendly recipes that incorporate the orange superfood as a healthy and nutrient-packed ingredient. 

Put a sweet twist on your favorite weeknight meals with these recipes that substitute North Carolina sweetpotatoes for less healthy ingredients: 

Start your day right with this savory Breakfast Fried Sweetpotato Rice recipe. This delicious dish made with turkey bacon, red bell peppers, coconut aminos, green onions and egg substitutes North Carolina sweetpotatoes for rice, making it an easy way to reduce your daily gluten intake. Or, brighten up your traditional breakfast with this Sheet Pan Sweetpotato Hash recipe developed by our friends at Fit Foodie Finds. Including sweetpotatoes puts a nutritious and sweet spin on this classic breakfast dish – and who doesn’t love a one dish meal?! 

Created by James Beard-nominated Chef Cheetie Kumar of Garland in Raleigh, N.C., our brand new Skillet Sweetpotato Nachos are bursting with local flavors inspired by Chef Cheetie’s signature Indian and Asian flare. With baked sweetpotato rounds substituted for tortilla chips, you’ll feel guilt-free heading back for seconds (or thirds)! Get the little ones involved by enlisting their help to assemble the nachos.

Kick taco night up a notch with this Vegan Roasted Sweetpotato & Cauliflower Tacos recipe. The perfect dish for anyone wanting to up their veggie intake, these tacos feature North Carolina sweetpotatoes and cauliflower topped with spices, black beans, jalapeños and vegan ranch dressing, all stuffed into whole wheat tortillas for a fiesta in your mouth. 

There’s nothing kids like more than pizza. Take pizza night to the next level with this quick and easy Sweetpotato Pizza Crust that will please even the pickiest eaters, while sneaking in vitamin A, fiber and potassium into their diet. Gluten free and vegan, this crunchy crust makes the perfect canvas for all your favorite pizza toppings.  

Pasta lovers will savor our Sweetpotato Noodles with Creamy Almond Sauce recipe featuring red cabbage, broccoli and almonds. Not only are spiralized North Carolina sweetpotatoes a healthy alternative to traditional pasta, they add a little color to what would normally be a drab dish. Delicious served hot, room temperature or chilled, this dish makes the perfect leftovers for lunch at school or in the office. 

Whether you are looking for a healthy take on your family’s favorite meals or simply want to find unique ways to incorporate vegetables into your diet, North Carolina sweetpotatoes are the perfect superfood for the job!