Southwestern Ground Beef Sweet Potato Skillet Recipe

Introduction

This Southwestern Ground Beef Sweet Potato Skillet is a delicious and hearty meal perfect for busy weeknights. Combining savory ground beef with sweet potatoes and bold spices, it’s a flavorful one-pan dish that’s both comforting and nutritious.

Ingredients

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• ½ cup yellow onion, diced
• ½ cup red bell pepper, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon oregano
• ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 3 cups sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup shredded cheese (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Add the ground beef, onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic to a skillet over medium heat. Break up the ground beef into large chunks and cook until browned. Drain off any extra fat.
2. Step 2: Stir in the chili powder, cumin, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Cook while stirring constantly for 1 minute to toast the spices.
3. Step 3: Add the cubed sweet potatoes, black beans, and water to the skillet. Stir well to combine. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 15 to 20 minutes until the sweet potatoes are fork tender.
4. Step 4: Remove the lid and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes to evaporate any excess liquid.
5. Step 5: Remove the skillet from heat. Sprinkle the shredded cheese over the top and replace the lid. Let it sit for about 5 minutes to allow the cheese to melt.
6. Step 6: Serve warm with your favorite toppings such as sour cream, avocado, or fresh cilantro.

Tips & Variations

• For extra heat, add more red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce.
• Swap ground turkey or chicken for a leaner protein option.
• Use frozen diced sweet potatoes if fresh ones are not available—just extend cooking time slightly.
• Top with diced avocado, chopped green onions, or a squeeze of lime for added freshness.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm in a skillet over medium heat or microwave until heated through. Add a splash of water if the mixture seems dry when reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

Absolutely! Replace the ground beef with plant-based crumbles or extra beans, and use vegetable broth instead of water for added flavor.

How can I tell when the sweet potatoes are done?

The sweet potatoes are ready when they are fork tender—easily pierced with a fork but not mushy. Cooking times may vary slightly depending on the size of the cubes.

Southwestern Ground Beef Sweet Potato Skillet Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 59 reviews

This Southwestern Ground Beef Sweet Potato Skillet is a flavorful and hearty one-pan meal featuring lean ground beef, sweet potatoes, and black beans, seasoned with a blend of southwestern spices. It’s a comforting and nutritious dish perfect for weeknight dinners, offering a delicious mix of savory and slightly spicy flavors with a creamy melted cheese topping.

• Author: Ruby
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Southwestern American
• Diet: Low Fat

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat and Vegetables

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• ½ cup yellow onion, diced
• ½ cup red bell pepper, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 cups sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed

Spices and Seasonings

• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon oregano
• ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes

Other Ingredients

• 1 15 ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup shredded cheese (optional)

Instructions

1. Cook the ground beef and vegetables: Add the ground beef, diced onion, diced bell pepper, and minced garlic to a skillet over medium heat. Break up the ground beef into large chunks and cook until browned, then drain off any excess fat.
2. Add the spices: Stir in the chili powder, cumin, kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Cook while stirring constantly for 1 minute to release the spices’ aroma.
3. Add the sweet potatoes, beans, and water: Add in the cubed sweet potatoes, drained black beans, and water. Stir well to combine all the ingredients. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the skillet, and let cook for 15-20 minutes until the sweet potatoes are fork tender.
4. Evaporate excess liquid: Remove the lid and cook uncovered for an additional 2-3 minutes to evaporate any remaining liquid in the skillet.
5. Add cheese and melt: Remove the skillet from heat. Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top, then replace the lid. Let the dish sit for about 5 minutes to allow the cheese to melt thoroughly.
6. Serve: Serve the skillet dish warm with your favorite toppings such as sour cream, avocado, or cilantro if desired.

Notes

• Use lean ground beef to reduce fat content and make the dish healthier.
• You can substitute black beans with pinto beans or kidney beans if preferred.
• Adjust the red pepper flakes or chili powder to control the spiciness of the dish.
• For a vegetarian version, replace ground beef with plant-based meat or extra black beans.
• Optional toppings like avocado, sour cream, or chopped cilantro add extra flavor and freshness.

Keywords: Southwestern, ground beef, sweet potato, skillet, black beans, easy dinner, one-pan meal, healthy, spicy