Southwest Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet Recipe
Introduction
This Southwest Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet is a flavorful and hearty one-pan meal perfect for busy weeknights. Combining tender sweet potatoes, savory beef, and a hint of spice, it comes together quickly for a satisfying dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced into 1/2-inch pieces
- 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes and green chilies, undrained
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
- Step 2: Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in the diced sweet potatoes, black beans, diced tomatoes and green chilies (with liquid), chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Step 4: Bring the mixture to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the skillet, and cook for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Step 5: Remove the lid and cook for 2 to 3 minutes more if there is excess liquid.
- Step 6: If using, sprinkle the shredded cheese over the top. Cover briefly until the cheese melts, about 1 minute.
- Step 7: Remove from heat, garnish with fresh cilantro, and serve immediately.
Tips & Variations
- For extra heat, add a diced jalapeño when cooking the onions.
- Swap ground beef for ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- Use sweet potato fries instead of diced sweet potatoes to save prep time—just adjust cooking time accordingly.
- Top with avocado slices or a dollop of sour cream for added creaminess.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally, or microwave until warmed through. To maintain texture, reheat gently rather than on high heat.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make this dish vegetarian?
Yes, you can substitute the ground beef with a plant-based meat alternative or additional beans and vegetables to keep it hearty and satisfying.
What can I use if I don’t have diced tomatoes with green chilies?
You can use plain diced tomatoes and add 1/2 teaspoon of chili powder or a chopped fresh chili pepper to maintain the spicy flavor.
Print
Southwest Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This Southwest Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet is a hearty, flavorful one-pan meal combining seasoned ground beef, tender sweet potatoes, black beans, and zesty diced tomatoes with green chilies. It’s an easy and nutritious dinner perfect for busy weeknights, finished with a sprinkle of melted cheddar cheese and fresh cilantro for added richness and freshness.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced into 1/2-inch pieces
- 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes and green chilies, undrained
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Optional Garnishes
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish
Instructions
- Brown the Ground Beef: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess grease to keep the dish from being too oily.
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 4 minutes. Next, add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
- Add Vegetables and Seasonings: Stir in the diced sweet potatoes, rinsed black beans, diced tomatoes with green chilies (including the liquid), chili powder, ground cumin, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix everything thoroughly to combine all the flavors.
- Simmer the Mixture: Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat. Then reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the skillet with a lid, and cook for 12 to 15 minutes. Check occasionally by piercing the sweet potatoes with a fork for tenderness and stir gently to prevent sticking.
- Reduce Excess Liquid: Remove the lid and continue cooking uncovered for 2 to 3 minutes more if there is any excess liquid, allowing the mixture to thicken slightly.
- Add Cheese: If using, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Cover the skillet briefly until the cheese melts, approximately 1 minute.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the skillet from heat, sprinkle chopped fresh cilantro over the dish for a pop of color and fresh flavor, and serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner protein option.
- Adjust the spice level by adding more chili powder or including diced jalapeños for extra heat.
- For a dairy-free version, omit the cheddar cheese or use a vegan cheese alternative.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheat easily on the stovetop or microwave.
- Adding a squeeze of fresh lime juice before serving brightens the flavors.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southwestern
Keywords: ground beef skillet, sweet potato recipe, one-pan dinner, southwestern skillet, quick dinner, black beans, ground beef and sweet potatoes
