Southwest Ground Beef Sweet Potato Skillet (Print View)
Hearty one-pan skillet with seasoned beef, sweet potatoes, and Southwest spices
# What You Need:
→ Meats
01 - 1 lb ground beef, preferably lean
→ Vegetables
02 - 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced (about 3 cups)
03 - 1 small red onion, diced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
→ Spices & Seasonings
05 - 1 ½ tsp chili powder
06 - 1 tsp ground cumin
07 - ½ tsp smoked paprika
08 - ½ tsp salt
09 - ¼ tsp black pepper
→ Pantry & Oils
10 - 2 tbsp olive oil
→ Optional Toppings
11 - ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
12 - 1 avocado, sliced
13 - ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (omit for dairy-free)
# How to Make It:
01 - Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spatula, until browned and cooked through, about 5-6 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary and transfer beef to a plate.
02 - Add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the same skillet. Add the diced sweet potatoes and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
03 - Add the diced onion and red bell pepper. Continue to cook for 4-5 minutes, until vegetables begin to soften.
04 - Return the cooked ground beef to the skillet. Add chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine.
05 - Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sweet potatoes are tender.
06 - Uncover and cook another 2-3 minutes to allow any excess moisture to evaporate. Serve hot, garnished with cilantro, avocado, and shredded cheese as desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- Everything cooks in one pan so cleanup takes literally minutes
- The sweet potatoes get perfectly tender while absorbing all those smoky Southwest spices
- It's one of those meals that tastes even better as leftovers the next day
02 -
- I learned the hard way that sweet potato size matters tremendously, so cut them uniformly or you'll have some pieces mushy while others are still crunchy
- Don't rush the initial beef browning step, those browned bits are where deep flavor lives
03 -
- Use a skillet with a tight-fitting lid to help the sweet potatoes steam through evenly
- Taste a piece of sweet potato before serving to make sure it's completely tender