Southwest Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet is a quick, hearty, and flavorful one-pan meal that’s packed with protein, fiber, and bold Tex-Mex spices. With tender sweet potatoes, juicy ground beef, and colorful bell peppers, this dish is perfect for an easy weeknight dinner or meal prep.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- One-pan meal: Easy to cook and clean up.
- Healthy and nutritious: Packed with lean protein, fiber, and vitamins.
- Bold flavors: Southwest spices make this dish extra delicious.
- Great for meal prep: Stores well and reheats beautifully.
- Customizable: Add your favorite veggies or swap proteins to fit your diet.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Ground beef (lean or extra-lean)
- Sweet potatoes (peeled and diced)
- Olive oil
- Onion (chopped)
- Garlic (minced)
- Bell peppers (red or yellow, diced)
- Black beans (drained and rinsed)
- Diced tomatoes (canned or fresh)
- Corn kernels (fresh, canned, or frozen)
- Chili powder
- Cumin
- Paprika
- Salt and black pepper
- Fresh lime juice
- Fresh cilantro (chopped, for garnish)
Optional Toppings:
- Avocado slices
- Shredded cheese
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt
- Salsa or hot sauce
Directions
- Cook the sweet potatoes: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced sweet potatoes and cook for 7-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Cook the beef: In the same skillet, add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Sauté the veggies: Add onion, garlic, and bell peppers to the beef. Cook for 3-4 minutes until softened.
- Add seasonings and ingredients: Stir in black beans, diced tomatoes, corn, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook for another 5 minutes.
- Combine and finish: Return the sweet potatoes to the skillet, stir to combine, and cook for 2 more minutes. Squeeze in fresh lime juice and garnish with cilantro.
- Serve and enjoy! Add your favorite toppings and serve warm.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: Makes about 4 servings
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 20 minutes
- Total time: 30 minutes
Variations
- Make it spicy: Add cayenne pepper or diced jalapeños.
- Low-carb option: Replace sweet potatoes with cauliflower or zucchini.
- Turkey or chicken version: Swap ground beef for ground turkey or chicken.
- Vegan-friendly: Use plant-based crumbles or more beans instead of beef.
- Cheesy twist: Melt shredded cheese on top before serving.
Storage/Reheating
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.
- Reheating: Warm in a skillet over medium heat or microwave for 1-2 minutes.
FAQs
Can I use white potatoes instead of sweet potatoes?
Yes! White potatoes work well, but sweet potatoes add a natural sweetness that complements the spices.
What can I serve this with?
It’s great on its own, but you can serve it with rice, tortillas, or a side salad.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! This dish is perfect for meal prep and tastes even better the next day.
How do I make it dairy-free?
Skip the cheese and use dairy-free yogurt if adding a creamy topping.
Can I add other vegetables?
Absolutely! Mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach would be great additions.
How do I make this a burrito filling?
Spoon the mixture into tortillas, add cheese and avocado, and roll into a burrito.
Is this dish gluten-free?
Yes! All ingredients are naturally gluten-free.
Can I cook this in the Instant Pot?
Yes! Use the sauté function for the beef, then pressure cook everything for 5 minutes.
What’s the best way to cut sweet potatoes evenly?
Peel and dice them into small ½-inch cubes to ensure even cooking.
How do I add extra protein?
Add extra beans or stir in cooked quinoa for more protein.
Conclusion
Southwest Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet is a delicious, healthy, and easy-to-make meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. With bold flavors and simple ingredients, this dish is sure to become a staple in your meal rotation. Try it today and enjoy a nutritious, satisfying dinner in just 30 minutes!
PrintSouthwest Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southwest
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This one-pan meal is packed with seasoned ground beef, sweet potatoes, black beans, and bold southwest flavors. It’s healthy, hearty, and perfect for busy weeknights!
Ingredients
For the Skillet:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound (450g) lean ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and diced (about 2 cups)
- 1 (15 oz / 425g) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (10 oz / 283g) can diced tomatoes with green chilies (like Rotel)
- 1/2 cup (120ml) low-sodium beef broth (or water)
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For Serving (Optional):
- Shredded cheese (cheddar or pepper jack)
- Sliced avocado
- Fresh cilantro
- Lime wedges
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt
- Warm tortillas
Instructions
-
Cook the Ground Beef – Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and onion, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook for 5-7 minutes, until beef is browned and onions are softened. Drain excess grease if needed.
-
Add Garlic & Sweet Potatoes – Stir in garlic and sweet potatoes, cooking for 2-3 minutes.
-
Season & Simmer – Add black beans, diced tomatoes, broth, and seasonings. Stir well, cover, and let simmer for 12-15 minutes, or until sweet potatoes are tender. Stir occasionally.
-
Melt Cheese (Optional) – If using cheese, sprinkle over the skillet, cover, and let melt for 2 minutes.
-
Serve & Enjoy! Garnish with avocado, cilantro, lime, or sour cream. Serve as-is or with warm tortillas.
Notes
✔ Low-Carb? Swap sweet potatoes for cauliflower rice.
✔ Extra Heat? Add diced jalapeños or extra chili powder.
✔ Make it Vegan? Use plant-based ground beef or extra black beans.
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