Southwest Ground Beef Sweet Potato Skillet
A wholesome and hearty 30-minute dinner that’s packed with yummy flavor? This Southwest Ground Beef Sweet Potato Skillet will be your new weeknight hero!
Nothing Beats A 30-Minute Meal
Even better, one made with nutrient-dense sweet potatoes, lean ground beef, and simple pantry staples. Each bite is smoky, sweet, with a touch of spice. A quick one-pan meal perfect for busy nights yet still want to feed your family something healthy and nutritious.
Simple Ingredients For Southwest Ground Beef Sweet Potato Skillet
Who doesn’t love a meal that only requires a few ingredients, especially ones you probably have ready to use in your kitchen. You’ll find all the measurements in the recipe card below.
Ground Beef- We use lean ground beef or ground turkey for a lighter option.
Sweet potatoes- The sweetness from the potatoes offer the perfect balance with the smoky fire roasted flavors.
Aromatics- Bell pepper and onions.
Spices– Includes chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt and pepper.
Rotel tomatoes– I use the fire roasted tomatoes with green chiles for extra bold flavor.
Cheese- Simple cheddar cheese but it adds so much yumminess.
Cilantro– Offers a pop of fresh flavor.
If You Don’t Like Sweet Potatoes
I get it. Some folks don’t enjoy sweet potatoes, and while I’m still going to encourage you to try them in this dish, you can certainly use regular ol’ russets. Keep in mind you may need to cook the white potatoes longer.
How To Make Southwest Ground Beef Meal
Check out the recipe card below for detailed instructions.
- Brown beef– Crumble and cook the ground beef in a large skillet until no longer pink.
- Sauté peppers and onions- Add the peppers and onions to the cooked ground beef and sauté until just softened. Transfer meat and veggies to a plate.
- Cook sweet potatoes– Cook sweet potatoes in olive oil in the same pan until browned and caramelized.
- Incorporate meat, spices, and tomatoes– Add the meat back to the pan with the sweet potatoes and stir in spices and Rotel tomatoes. Allow to bubble for a few minutes.
- Add cheese- Sprinkle cheese over the meat and potatoes and allow to melt. Garnish with cilantro and serve.
Serving Suggestions
The southwest flavors in this dish is all the more reason to add a dollop of cool sour cream and a few fresh slices of avocado. If you’re looking for something more substantial, try my Cilantro Lime Rice or Mexican Rice to serve along side.
Leftovers
This is an awesome meal to take and reheat at work the next day. It has just the right amount of protein and healthy carbs to carry you through your afternoon.
Southwest Ground Beef Sweet Potato Skillet is the kind of meal you’ll keep coming back to. Try it once, and it’ll become a regular on your dinner rotation!
Southwest Ground Beef Sweet Potato Skillet
Equipment
- 1 large skillet
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1/2 cup onion, diced
- 1 small red bell pepper, diced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 pound sweet potatoes, diced in 1-inch cubes, peeled or unpeeled
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 1/4 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 (10) ounce can Rotel, fire roasted tomatoes and green chiles, drained
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Cook and crumble ground beef until no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Remove any excess grease from the pan.1 pound ground beef
- Add onions and peppers to the ground beef and cook 3-4 minutes until just softened, then stir in spices. Toast spices for 30 seconds until fragrant. 1/2 cup onions, dicedsmall red bell pepper, diced2 tsp chili powder1 tsp cumin1/2 tsp smoked paprika1 1/4 tsp kosher salt1/2 tsp black pepper
- Next stir in Rotel. Bring to a light simmer and cook for 5-minutes. Top beef and potatoes with cheese and garnish with cilantro. 1 10 ounce can fire roasted tomatoes, drained1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
Notes
Nutrition
More Tasty 30-Minute Meals
If you’re all about quick and easy dinners, try these 30-minute meals next! Taco Sloppy Joes, Mushroom Grilled Cheese Sandwich, Italian Ground Turkey Skillet Meal, Hot Honey Cilantro Lime Baked Salmon, and One-Pan Egg Roll Bowls These are perfect examples of how you can whip up something delicious without a long shopping list or hours in the kitchen.
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