The success of comfort food arises from its ability to adapt to different situations. Nachos allow for different combinations because they use tortilla chips and roasted vegetables and any other food items that people have from their kitchen stock. Chef and author Kat Ashmore developed a modernized version of the traditional dish because she found it necessary to create something different.
In collaboration with Pampered Chef, Ashmore has introduced loaded sweet potato nachos as part of the company’s “Women Who Stir Up Change” campaign, which highlights chefs, creators and home cooks who use food as a way to bring people together while encouraging confidence in the kitchen. The initiative highlights how cooking can build confidence and community, themes that run through Ashmore’s work as a cookbook author and recipe developer.
The dish begins with thinly sliced sweet potatoes in place of traditional chips. When baked or air-fried until crisp at the edges, they create a sturdy base for toppings while adding natural sweetness and color. Sweet potatoes also hold their shape well when roasted, making them a practical alternative to chips while adding fiber and natural sweetness. For the best texture, the sweet potato slices should be arranged in a single layer so the edges crisp before toppings are added. From there, the recipe invites personalization: seasoned ground meat or beans, shredded cheese, jalapeños, sour cream, cilantro and other garnishes can be layered according to taste.
For Ashmore, that adaptability is intentional. Her cookbooks, including Big Bites and Big Bites: Time to Eat!, focus on recipes that feel approachable and practical for weeknights. Rather than requiring specialty ingredients, they emphasize bold flavors built from accessible staples.
Built for Busy Kitchens
The collaboration also highlights a handful of kitchen tools Ashmore relies on to keep prep efficient. Thin, uniform slices are essential for sweet potato “chips” that cook evenly. The Pampered Chef Rapid-Prep Mandoline with adjustable thickness settings can help achieve consistent results in less time than hand-slicing, especially when preparing a full sheet pan.
Chopping toppings such as onions, herbs, or peppers is another step that can slow down a meal. A compact electric chopper, such as Pampered Chef’s Electric Twist & Chop chopper, can help mince ingredients more efficiently, potentially reducing the need for extensive knife work on busy evenings, and parents can even get the kids involved.
For proteins, Pampered Chef’s Mix `N Chop multi-blade utensil is designed to break up ground meat directly in the pan, helping it evenly brown while limiting extra dishes. And for families cooking multiple components at once, a dual-compartment air fryer and oven can prepare vegetables and proteins simultaneously, helping bring the components together around the same time for serving.
While the tools vary, the broader goal is the same: reduce friction so home cooks can focus on assembling and sharing the meal.
A Dish Meant to Share
Loaded sweet potato nachos are structured for flexibility beyond ingredients. The recipe works as a weeknight dinner served straight from the pan, but it can also be scaled for casual gatherings. Because toppings are added in layers, families can tailor sections of the dish to different preferences, an approach that can help accommodate varying spice levels or dietary needs.
Ashmore’s involvement in the “Women Who Stir Up Change” campaign reflects her belief that cooking extends beyond nourishment. After stepping away from a demanding career in 2019 to focus on family life, she began sharing everyday recipes from her kitchen. What started as a way to document meals evolved into a larger platform centered on accessible, confidence-building cooking.
That perspective aligns with Pampered Chef’s longstanding emphasis on home kitchens as spaces for connection. Founded in 1980, the company has built its business around direct sales and cooking experiences led by independent consultants, encouraging people to gather around food.
Simple Techniques, Lasting Impact
At its core, the sweet potato nacho recipe illustrates a broader principle: small adjustments can refresh familiar favorites. Swapping in a vegetable base adds texture and nutrition, while thoughtful prep techniques can help simplify the process.
For home cooks navigating full schedules, that balance between creativity and efficiency matters. A recipe that welcomes substitutions, paired with tools that minimize cleanup and prep time, can make the difference between ordering takeout and cooking at home.
In the end, Ashmore’s approach is less about reinvention and more about refinement. With a sheet pan of crisp sweet potatoes, a handful of toppings and a few reliable tools, a classic comfort food becomes a flexible, family-friendly meal designed to be shared. Meals like this, built around simple ingredients and shared toppings, can turn an ordinary dinner into a small gathering point at the table.
Sources:
- Pampered Chef. Kat Ashmore Collaboration Collection. https://www.pamperedchef.com/collections-collaboration-kat-ashmore
