This earthy stuffed sweet potato will warm you up on cold winter nights.
In case you haven’t heard, we’ve been in a deep freeze here in the Northeast. The brutal winds and the frigid temps have a way of unleashing an appetite for soul-warming dishes. While soup is certainly one of my favorite comfort food meals, it is not the only thing to lure me out from under the blankets.
A hearty sweet potato is perfect for this cold-weather blast. 
These potatoes are an uncomplicated, stick-to-your-ribs, versatile food to warm you in the wintry weather. Bonus that hiking up the oven temperature to bake them may even cozy up your home a bit. 
I am so fond of stuffing a sweet potato with simple ingredients for a dose of feel-good-food. Here, I’m combining crumbled Italian sausage and fragrant caramelized fennel. The wallop of rich flavor from the sausage paired with the anise notes in the fennel is a winning combo. 
Tucking all this earthy goodness into the creamy, baked sweet potato is seriously something to brag about. The juices pool into the nooks and crannies of the potato, making every bite special. 
This is a piece of cake to whip up on a weeknight, yet is still special enough to fight the cabin fever with friends and a glass of wine. 
It’s humble, cozy, easy-to-make food that warms you from the inside. That’s what makes it perfect.
If you love sweet potatoes as much as I do, try my Ginger Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Coconut Swiss Chard. 
Sausage and Fennel Loaded Sweet Potato
This earthy stuffed sweet potato will warm you up on cold winter nights.
For the Potatoes
- 4 sweet potatoes (scrubbed and cleaned)
- vegetable oil
For the Sausage and Fennel
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb ground sweet Italian sausage
- 2 fennel bulbs (sliced, reserve the fronds for garnish)
- 1 small onion (diced)
- 4-5 garlic cloves (minced )
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 cup white wine
- 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
- salt and pepper to taste
- shaved parmesan cheese (optional)
For the Potatoes
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Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil.
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Rub vegetable oil all over each potato. Prick each potato in several places with a fork.
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Arrange the potatoes on the foil and bake for about 45 minutes, or until they are fork-tender.
For the Sausage and Fennel
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Heat olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add in sausage and cook until browned. Drain any excess grease if desired.
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Add in fennel, onion, and garlic and cook for 5-7 minutes until vegetables are translucent and the edges are just beginning to caramelize.
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Stir in thyme.
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Deglaze the pan with the wine.
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Stir in the broth and simmer for 10 minutes until juices are absorbed.
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Cut a sweet potato down the center. Add a spoonful of the sausage mixture. Garnish with shaved parmesan and fennel fronds.
What a great idea! Thanks for sharing.
What a great recipe! I love the flavor combination you put together in this recipe and I’m excited to give it a try! It’s a nice change from all the pasta we eat too.
Thanks, Rebecca! I agree with you, sometimes we need a pasta break.
Not only I love your website and your pictures but I am hungry right now just from reading! Will try it tonight for definite! Thanks for sharing!
You are so sweet, Lydia! Thanks so much and I hope you enjoy it!
Both me and hubby love sweet potatoes so I will be trying this out very soon! I never thought of cooking fennel as were I am from we tend to eat it raw with a bit of lemon squeezed on top.
D, x | from https://www.livedreamcreate-d.com
I love it raw too, but caramelized is my favorite way to enjoy it.
I love them raw too, but caramelized like this is my favorite way to enjoy them.
Soft sweet potato, sausage, and fennel make this a delicious meal! Perfect comfort food without the guilt. Looks amazing!
I agree! It was so comforting and delicious!
These look amazing! I can’t wait to try them. Sweet potatoes are one of my favorite winter foods. I never thought to stuff them, though, like a baked potato. Thanks for the idea!
There are so many wonderful flavor combos when you stuff them! Hope you love it!
this is the perfect meal for two people Quick easy and delicious. Something we both would enjoy.
Thanks! We really enjoy it!
We love sweet potatoes and this is a fabulous main dish event!!! I can’t wait to try it!
Great to hear your feedback! Thank you!
This is a recipe my husband would really enjoy! I’ll have to give it a try!
My husband called me from work yesterday and requested it for dinner this week. Lol.
What a delicious idea! Absolutely craving for this now – it will be on our menu very soon!
Thanks! It really is an amazing flavor combo!
I’ve never had fennel before but this looks amazing!
Fennel is so unique in flavor and pairs perfectly with the sausage here.
I love fennel! this looks so amazing! I will be adding this to my meal plan!
Awesome! Thanks!
This looks great! I love baked sweet potatoes. I’ll have to give this a try 🙂 My husband would like this too
Aren’t they the best?!
The combination of flavours sounds amazing! I love loaded sweet potatoes
I love the versatility of them.