Southwestern Ground Beef Sweet Potato Skillet Recipe
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.
- 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
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Evaporate excess liquid: Remove the lid and cook uncovered for an additional 2-3 minutes to evaporate any remaining liquid in the skillet.
- 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.
- 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
