Spring not rendering nested object while using HAL+JSON

Question

I'm currently using the default Spring REST HAL+JSON since my repositories extend JpaRepository, but I'd like a deeper object graph to be rendered without having to perform multiple http requests.

I not only want to do a GET and have the deep graph/nested object details, but I also want to HTTP POST and create the nested objects along with the parent in a single request. I'm assuming what I'm asking for is anti-HATEOAS? I'm open to different ideas:

1. Is there an easy way to flip a switch and stop using HAL across the board?
2. Is it time to consider using GraphQL? (one of the best practices?)
3. Some other way?

thx