Southwestern Ground Beef Sweet Potato Skillet Recipe
This Southwestern Ground Beef Sweet Potato Skillet is a hearty and flavorful one-pan meal perfect for weeknight dinners. Combining lean ground beef with sweet potatoes, black beans, and a blend of southwestern spices, it’s both nutritious and comforting. The dish is cooked entirely on the stovetop, making it quick and easy to prepare, with an optional cheesy topping to add a creamy finish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southwestern
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Protein & Veggies
- 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
- 1 15 ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
Spices & 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
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup shredded cheese, optional
Instructions
- Brown the Beef and Veggies: Add the ground beef, diced yellow onion, red bell pepper, and minced garlic to a skillet over medium heat. Break up the ground beef into large chunks and cook until browned and cooked through. Drain off any excess fat before proceeding.
- Season the Mixture: Sprinkle in the chili powder, cumin, kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Stir constantly while cooking for about one minute to toast the spices and enhance their flavors.
- Add Sweet Potatoes and Beans: Stir in the peeled and cubed sweet potatoes, drained black beans, and water. Mix well to combine all ingredients evenly. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cover the skillet.
- Cook Until Tender: Let the mixture cook covered for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sweet potatoes are fork-tender and the flavors have melded together.
- Evaporate Excess Liquid: Remove the lid and continue cooking uncovered for 2-3 minutes to evaporate any remaining liquid, ensuring the dish is not watery.
- Finish with Cheese (Optional): Remove the skillet from the heat. Sprinkle the shredded cheese over the top, cover again, and let it sit for about 5 minutes off the heat, allowing the cheese to melt perfectly.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve the skillet warm with your favorite toppings such as sour cream, avocado, or fresh cilantro for added freshness and texture.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef (90% lean or higher) for a healthier version and to reduce extra grease.
- You can substitute black beans with pinto beans or kidney beans if preferred.
- For a vegetarian option, replace ground beef with textured vegetable protein or cooked lentils.
- If you don’t have sweet potatoes, regular potatoes or butternut squash can be used but adjust cooking time accordingly.
- Adding cheese is optional; use a Mexican blend or cheddar for best flavor.
- Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat nicely on the stovetop or microwave.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro, avocado slices, or a dollop of sour cream for an authentic southwestern touch.
Keywords: Southwestern, Ground Beef, Sweet Potato, Skillet, One-Pan Meal, Easy Dinner, Healthy, Black Beans
