As the weather cools down in the fall, you may start to crave more comforting, warm meals that help you feel cozy. Hearty fall ingredients like pumpkin, squash and Brussels sprouts become more common in recipes, along with warm spices like nutmeg and cinnamon that help us warm up indoors as the weather gets colder.
Sweet potatoes are another quintessential fall ingredient that’s common in many recipes. With its natural sweetness, hearty flavor and vibrant color, it brings a unique versatility that helps it shine in both savory and sweet recipes. Whether roasted, mashed or baked into casseroles and pies, sweet potatoes pair perfectly with hearty grains like rice to create well-rounded comfort meals ideal for cooler weather.
Sweet Potato Cooking Tips for Fall Recipes
When it comes to preparing sweet potatoes for fall recipes, here are a few tips to keep in mind to make sure you get the most out of this delicious ingredient:
- Pick the right potatoes: Sweet potatoes come in a few different varieties that have different characteristics. Tan or purple skinned sweet potatoes tend to be drier varieties, while orange or red-skinned sweet potatoes are sweeter and have a creamier texture. Be sure to choose firm, smooth sweet potatoes without cracks or soft spots.
- Store them smartly: Keep sweet potatoes in a cool, dark spot in your kitchen (not the refrigerator) to help them last longer and keep their flavor.
- Cut down cooking time: Short on time? Poke some holes in sweet potatoes with a fork and pop them in the microwave for 3–5 minutes before roasting or baking to speed things up.
- Boost the flavor: Simple seasoning on your sweet potatoes, like a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of salt, can go a long way. You can also try fall spices like cinnamon or nutmeg to help highlight their natural sweetness.
Best Sweet Potato & Rice Recipes
You may not immediately think of pairing rice and sweet potatoes together, but they’re a deliciously comforting duo perfect for fall dishes. Combining hearty grains with naturally sweet, flavor-packed potatoes can create versatile meals that are wholesome and satisfying.
Sweet Potato & Rice Stuffed Peppers
Add a fall twist to your stuffed peppers with this Sweet Potato & Rice Stuffed Peppers
recipe. Ideal for a meatless meal, these stuffed peppers are packed with satisfyingly hearty ingredients like sweet potatoes, Minute® Brown & Wild Rice Cups, and black beans. Simply stuff the mixture into bell pepper halves, bake until just tender, and top with Parmesan cheese if desired—it’s a zero-stress fall dinner ready in 30 minutes.
Power Rice-Stuffed Sweet Potato
This Power Rice-Stuffed Sweet Potato is packed with filling ingredients for a meal that’s both satisfying and flavorful. Inside a sweet potato, layer a zesty Minute Cilantro & Lime Jasmine Rice Cup, hummus, chickpeas and kale. Sprinkle everything with feta cheese, and drizzle with Greek or Italian dressing, if desired, and you have a flavor-packed meal ready in minutes.
Winter Salad
If you’re looking for a salad that’s still hearty and comforting enough to enjoy in the colder months, try this Winter Salad from recipe creator Meghan Allen. Packed with sweet potatoes, nuts and Minute Instant Rice & Quinoa, this salad is a filling plant-based dish that comes together quickly on busy weeknights.
Kale Rice Bowl
For a quick and filling sweet potato and rice dish, this Kale Rice Bowl does the trick with just five ingredients. Thanks to Minute Rice Cups, which are ready in one minute in the microwave, this meal is ideal for a quick meal on the go or a lunch at the office. Prepare a Minute Brown & Wild Rice Cup, then simply mix in diced sweet potato, kale and chili flakes before topping with garlic and Parmesan dressing.
Maple Sweet Potato Cottage Cheese Rice Bowl
Another rice bowl that makes sweet potatoes shine is this Maple Sweet Potato Cottage Cheese Rice Bowl. Using just five ingredients, you can whip this bowl up together in no time. With roasted sweet potatoes, cottage cheese, pecans and maple drizzle all mixed together with a Minute Butter & Sea Salt Jasmine Rice Cup, this bowl is the perfect mix of sweet, salty and savory goodness that will warm up any fall day.
Slow Cooker African Peanut Stew
If you’re craving bold and rich flavors, look no further than this Slow Cooker African Peanut Stew. The best part of this recipe is that the slow cooker does all the work for you. Simply add onion, sweet potatoes, chickpeas, tomatoes, peanut butter and vegetable broth into your slow cooker and let it do the rest. Once everything is cooked, add in Minute Instant Basmati Rice and enjoy this unique combination of flavors.
Sweet Potato Rice Crust Pie
Sweet potato pie is a classic dessert on holiday tables during the colder months, but this Sweet Potato Rice Crust Pie is a unique take on the dish. It uses Minute Instant Brown Rice as the base for the pie’s crust instead of traditional pie crust, creating a crispy, golden brown crust that adds a great texture—plus, it’s gluten-free! You can use store-bought sweet potato pie filling or make your own with just a few pantry staples like mashed sweet potatoes, milk, eggs, brown sugar and vanilla.
Sweet Potato Rice Casserole
This Sweet Potato Rice Casserole is the perfect cozy comfort food for a fall gathering or holiday party. Crushed pineapple infuses a unique, fruity element to this dish that is sure to make it stand out for your guests. First, a Minute Basmati Rice Cup is prepared using pineapple juice to instill that tropical flavor into the aromatic rice. Then, the cooked rice is combined with sweet potatoes, crushed pineapple, egg, milk and cinnamon in a casserole dish. Everything is topped with marshmallows before baking until perfectly golden brown and ready to enjoy!
Easy Sweet Potato Recipes for Fall Flavor
When you’re in need of a taste of comfort in the fall, sweet potatoes and rice are the ultimate food pairing—hearty, versatile, and perfect for cozy fall meals. From stress-free casseroles to decadent desserts, this duo brings warmth and flavor to your table in so many delicious ways. With the speed and convenience of Minute rice, there are endless quick dishes you can create without spending hours in the kitchen, ensuring your fall days have plenty of filling meals, without the hassle.
Sweet Potato FAQs
Q: What are the best sweet potato recipes for fall?
A: Popular sweet potato recipes for fall include casseroles, rice bowls, stuffed peppers, and pies. Pairing sweet potatoes with Minute rice makes them quick and filling.
Q: Can I make sweet potato recipes with rice?
A: Yes. Sweet potatoes and rice pair perfectly in bowls, bakes, casseroles, and even desserts. The combination creates hearty, satisfying dishes for any occasion.
Q: Are Minute Rice Cups good for sweet potato recipes?
A: Yes. Rice Cups make it easy to create quick sweet potato and rice meals in minutes—ideal for fall dinners, sides, or even creative desserts.
