There are weeks where I need dinner to basically make itself. Not fast food, not garbage in a box, not something I'm going to feel like trash after eating. I need something real, filling, and easy enough that I'm not standing at the stove for an hour after a long day. This casserole is my answer to that problem. Layered smoky ground beef in a rich tomato herb sauce, sandwiched between tender sweet potato rounds, all baked together in one dish. The flavors meld while it bakes and the whole thing comes out with these gorgeous caramelized edges. It tastes like something that took way more effort than it did. No grains. No dairy. No weird substitutes. Just real, whole food the way it was meant to be eaten. My family absolutely demolishes this. I hope yours does too.

Nutritional Benefits

Grass-Fed Ground Beef

  • A complete protein source with all essential amino acids to support muscle repair and satiety
  • Rich in zinc, B12, and iron, nutrients that are hard to get enough of on a processed food diet
  • Grass-fed beef contains a better omega-6 to omega-3 ratio than conventionally raised beef, which matters for keeping inflammation in check

Sweet Potato

  • Loaded with beta-carotene, which the body converts to vitamin A for immune and eye health
  • A great source of complex carbohydrates that provide steady energy without the blood sugar spike of refined grains
  • High in potassium and manganese, both important for muscle function and bone health

Crushed Tomatoes and Tomato Paste

  • Cooked tomatoes are one of the best dietary sources of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant linked to reduced oxidative stress
  • Provide vitamin C and natural glutamates that deepen savory flavor without any additives
  • The concentrated tomato paste adds depth and body to the sauce while keeping the ingredient list clean

Avocado Oil

  • A stable cooking fat with a high smoke point, making it ideal for sautéing and roasting without oxidizing
  • Rich in oleic acid, the same heart-healthy monounsaturated fat found in olive oil
  • Contains lutein, an antioxidant that supports eye health

FAQs

Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

Yes, and honestly it reheats beautifully. You can assemble the whole thing the night before, cover it tightly, and refrigerate it unbaked. Add about 10 extra minutes to the covered bake time if going straight from the fridge to the oven. Leftovers keep well for up to 4 days in the fridge.

Can I use ground turkey or ground bison instead of beef?

Absolutely. Ground bison works almost identically to beef in this recipe. Ground turkey works great too but is leaner, so make sure you are using a good quality avocado oil to keep the mixture from drying out. The flavor will be a bit lighter but still really good.

Is this recipe Whole30 compliant?

Yes. All the ingredients as written are Whole30 compliant. Just double-check your crushed tomatoes and tomato paste labels to make sure there is no added sugar or citric acid from non-compliant sources. Most plain canned tomatoes are fine.

My sweet potatoes were still a bit firm. What happened?

Slice thickness is the main culprit. Try to keep your rounds close to 1/4 inch or even a little thinner. If you are on the thicker side, add 5 to 10 more minutes of covered bake time before you pull the foil off. A mandoline makes this a lot more consistent if you have one.

Can I freeze leftovers?

You can, though sweet potatoes can get a little softer in texture after freezing and thawing. It still tastes great. Freeze in individual portions in airtight containers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through.

If you make this, I want to hear about it. Drop a comment below and tell me how it went. Did your family go back for thirds? Did you sneak a bite straight from the pan before it hit the table? (No judgment, I do it every time.) Save this one, share it with a friend who thinks paleo dinners have to be boring, and come back and tell me what you thought. This one's a keeper.

How did your Smoky Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Paleo Dinner Casserole turn out? Tag @ThatPaleoChick and share it! #paleodinnerideas #grainfreerecipes #whole30dinner #sweetpotatorecipes #healthycasserole #paleorecipes #dairyfreedinners #groundbeefrecipes #realfooddinner #cleaneating

Smoky Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Paleo Dinner Casserole

A hearty, one-dish paleo dinner casserole layered with smoky seasoned ground beef, tender sweet potato slices, caramelized onions, and a rich tomato herb sauce. No grains, no dairy, no fuss. Just real food that fills you up the right way.

  • Prep time:
  • Cook time:
  • Total time:
  • Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients

  • 1.5 lbs ground beef (85/15, grass-fed preferred)
  • 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
  • 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes (no sugar added)
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons avocado oil, divided
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon chipotle chili powder (or more to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, plus more to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped (for topping)
  • 1 tablespoon coconut aminos

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with a small amount of avocado oil and set aside.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon of avocado oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, for 6 to 8 minutes until softened and starting to caramelize. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 60 seconds. Transfer the onion and garlic to a bowl and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of avocado oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and break it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned, about 7 to 8 minutes. Drain any excess fat if needed.
  4. Reduce heat to medium. Add the smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, chipotle chili powder, sea salt, and black pepper to the browned beef. Stir well to coat.
  5. Pour in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and coconut aminos. Stir everything together and simmer for 4 to 5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly. Remove from heat and fold the caramelized onion and garlic back into the beef mixture.
  6. Arrange half of the sweet potato rounds in a single layer across the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
  7. Spoon all of the beef and tomato mixture evenly over the sweet potato layer.
  8. Arrange the remaining sweet potato rounds in an overlapping layer on top of the beef mixture. Drizzle lightly with a small amount of avocado oil and season with salt and pepper.
  9. Cover the baking dish tightly with foil and bake for 35 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes until the top sweet potato layer is tender and the edges are starting to brown.
  10. Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Top with fresh chopped parsley and serve directly from the dish.

Nutrition per serving

  • Calories: 420
  • Total Fat: 23g
  • Carbohydrates: 24g
  • Protein: 28g
  • Dietary Fiber: 4g
  • Sugar: 7g
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RecipePaleoDinnerGluten-Free

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