Description
This Southwest Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet is a one-pan wonder that brings bold spices, hearty protein, and naturally sweet veggies into one cozy dish. With tender sweet potatoes, flavorful ground beef, bell peppers, melted cheese, and a dash of smoky seasoning, it’s a balanced and satisfying dinner perfect for busy weeknights or meal prepping.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef
2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes (with green chilies if desired)
1 bell pepper, diced
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup shredded cheese (Monterey Jack or cheddar)
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
1. Peel and dice the sweet potatoes into bite-sized cubes.
2. In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add sweet potatoes and cook 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally until softened and lightly browned. Remove and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Add ground beef and cook over medium-high heat until browned and fully cooked, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Drain excess grease.
4. Lower the heat to medium. Stir in the chopped onion, minced garlic, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Cook 3–4 minutes until the onion is softened and fragrant.
5. Add diced tomatoes (with juices), diced bell pepper, and cooked sweet potatoes back into the skillet. Stir to combine and simmer for 5–7 minutes.
6. Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over the top. Cover with a lid or foil and let sit for 2–3 minutes until the cheese is melted.
7. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve hot. Enjoy!
Notes
Cut sweet potatoes into small, uniform cubes to ensure even cooking.
If using ground turkey or chicken, slightly increase seasoning to maintain bold flavor.
This dish is great for meal prep—store in single-serve containers and freeze for quick lunches.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: Southwest
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 475
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 27g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: Ground Beef, Sweet Potato, Skillet Dinner, One-Pan Meal, Family Dinner