Smoky lentil stuffed sweet potatoes are a vegan and gluten-free main with a one-two punch of plant protein and fiber. Serve with a side salad for a healthy and hearty weeknight dinner. 
Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Firstly, HAPPY 2019, friends! I hope you had an enjoyable New Years Eve and started 2019 feeling excited for a year of endless possibilities. I’m working on a whole lineup of delicious recipes to jumpstart your January, and today we’re kicking things off with these wildly delicious spuds.
To sum up, they’re sweet, smoky, a little spicy, and supremely satisfying. Additionally, this recipe is completely plant-based, so if incorporating more plant-based foods into your diet was part of your 2019 intentions, these make it easy and tasty as ever.
How to Make Stuffed Sweet Potatoes:
In this recipe, red lentils are cooked in a mix of shallots, garlic, tomato paste, smoked paprika, and crushed red pepper flakes to infuse them with a wealth of flavor and spice. I love this mixture because the smoky flavor is the perfect counter to the sweetness of the spuds. Next, chopped walnuts are stirred in to add texture and crunch (plus some heart- and brain-healthy fats!).
Lastly, these spuds get topped with a dollop of yogurt (for example, Greek or coconut-milk based) to add cooling creaminess and cut through the heat of the lentil mixture. 
Are Lentils Good for You?
Lentils are one of the most nutritious, affordable, and versatile plant-based proteins. One serving averages about 9 grams of protein and a whopping 8 grams of dietary fiber to help keep you full longer. Beyond soups and spud-stuffers, I love adding them to salads and grain bowls, blitzing them into dips and spreads, and even molding them into burger patties.
To sum up, you could say these almighty legumes are a pantry staple over here for good reason. 
Both the lentil mixture and sweet potatoes can be cooked ahead, so weeknight dinner or make-ahead lunches come together in a cinch. Store leftovers in separate containers and re-assemble once warmed through, and this recipe is the gift that keeps on giving days to come.
If you make this recipe, be sure to tag #dishingouthealth on Instagram so I can see your beautiful creations. And if you have a chance, come back and comment below and rate the recipe—it helps tremendously in terms of web searches!
Other Healthy Sweet Potato Recipes:
Sesame Sweet Potato and Radicchio Salad
Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chipotle Chili
Smoky Lentil Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Ingredients
- 4 medium sweet potatoes
- 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 shallot minced
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 3 Tbsp. tomato paste
- 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp. smoked paprika
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup red lentils
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1/4 cup roughly chopped walnuts
- Optional toppings: fresh cilantro leaves Greek yogurt (or coconut milk yogurt if making vegan), and sliced avocado
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450°F. Poke each sweet potato a few times with the prongs of a fork. Wrap each potato in foil. Place on center oven rack and bake for 60 to 80 minutes, until fork tender.
- While potatoes bake, heat oil in a large skillet with a fitted lid over medium heat. Add shallot; cook 2 to 3 minutes, until softened. Add garlic; cook 1 minute, until aromatic. Add tomato paste and red pepper flakes; cook 1 minute, stirring often. Stir in smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and lentils; cook 1 minute, stirring to coat lentils. Add broth and water, bring mixture to a simmer over medium-high. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook 20 to 22 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lentils are tender and have absorbed most of the liquid. Stir in chopped walnuts.
- Slice sweet potatoes down the center, lengthwise. Fill evenly with lentil mixture. Garnish with fresh cilantro, yogurt, and avocado, if desired.
So delicious! The smoky lentils with the sweetness of the potato. Great combo of flavors.
Gave this recipe a try because it looked pretty easy. It was very easy to make and just as delicious. Even my meat loving fiancé asked if we could have it again sometime! Highly recommend
What’s the calorie and carb count?
Has anyone made the recipe with green lentils? I tried to follow the recipe with slightly less water and it still wouldn’t quite thicken up.
I have exactly the same! I think this is maybe because the lentils are pre-steamed.
Wonderful! I have never written a review for a recipe before, but this one was for sure worth it. So simple. Strong flavors. Filling, Great use of lentils/ a good protein for vegetarian food, and what I like to call good “brain food” you’re left feeling full and nourished with a clear mind. This is for sure going in the go-to recipes book. Strongly recommend. Thanks!
Hi Katie,
I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe!! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a fab review.
This turned out sooooo good. I was hesitant to try it because of the walnuts and Greek yogurt, but I was pleasantly suprised. I am definitely keeping this recipe in my back pocket.
Hi Juditha, I’m so glad the recipe was a hit for you! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review for me.
This turned out sooooo good. I was hesitant to try it because of the walnuts and Greek yogurt, but I was pleasantly suprised. I am definitely keeping this recipe in my back pocket.
Wow. Amazing flavor, very filling, and just right for a cold night in the Midwest!
Would love to have the nutritional information added to this one.
I will work on getting that up!! Thanks for the heads up, and so glad you enjoyed the recipe.
This was amazing! Made it for dinner last night – easy, tasty and filling. Yum!
I have made this recipe 3 times in the last week because I like it that much!! Thank you for sharing it!
Hi Sam, I’m so glad you enjoy the recipe!! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review!
My husband dislikes most vegetables and has a hard time getting in fiber, however he loves this recipe. I’ve made it a couple times and it’s a hit!
I’m so glad to hear that, Mary!! Thank you for taking time to leave a review!
I’ve made this several times and it’s one of my favorites. Even my meat-eating husband enjoys it!
So glad you and your family enjoy it!
I had so much lentil filling it was spilling over the the sides of the sweet potato, which was awesome. I also cut the sweet potatoes in halfway so they only took 30 minutes to cook. Was delicious, filling and pleased my non vegan partner!
I’m so glad to hear that, Hayley!! Great call on slicing the potatoes in half for expedited cooking.
How well do these reheat?
This was the best new recipe I’ve tried in a long time. I’m not a huge sweet potato fan, but my daughter requested an attempt at the stuffed ones they serve on her college campus so I gave this a try. The lentils are AMAZING and a perfect complement to the” sweet” of the potatoes.I made it a few weeks ago and I’ve been craving the lentil mixture since. It was a hit with the my whole family, and I plan to make them again next weekend when I have company coming. They are all meat eaters, and as a vegan I’m excited to have them try this to see how satisfying a meat-free meal can be. Thank you!
Hi Judy, I’m so glad you enjoyed it!! Its one of my favorites for cozy, vegetarian meals. Thank you so much for taking the time to come back and leave a review!
You are right, so hearty for being vegetarian! Thanks for the recipe
Sweet potatoes have always been my favorite. Thanks for sharing Jamie. I look forward to preparing this during the weekend.
Hi Destiny—I hope you enjoy these! They are a favorite over here. Cheers!
This looks amazing!! If I choose canned lentils rather than dried should I skip the added water ? Thanks !
Hi Angie, I haven’t tried with canned lentils, but I imagine omitting the liquid would work fine! Enjoy
I tried this recipe and I was pleasantly surprised! It was filling and yummy! However, I accidentally bought split lentils and the mixture was a little runny with the extra water. Still delicious though! Thank you for the great idea. I made it with the smokey tempeh kale salad and had it for lunch all week! Will 100% make this again. x
Oh my, this looks SO GOOD. Getting hungry just looking at these photos. Also.. this might be the perfect comfort mood for the off-day I’m having today. Nothing beats kranky like sweet potatoes and some smokey goodness! Will try tonight! Thanks for this 🙂