Southwest Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet
A hearty one-pan meal bursting with flavor, combining sweet potatoes and ground beef with vibrant spices.
Ingredients
For the skillet
- 1 Tbsp olive oil for cooking
- 1 lb ground beef preferably lean
- 1 medium yellow onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 medium sweet potatoes peeled and cubed
- 1 large red bell pepper diced
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- Salt & pepper to taste
- ½ cup beef broth low-sodium
Optional garnishes
- fresh cilantro chopped for garnish
- avocado slices for serving
Instructions
Preparation
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the ground beef and season it with salt and pepper. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, breaking it apart with a spatula, until browned and cooked through. Drain any excess fat if necessary, and then transfer the beef to a bowl.
- In the same skillet, add the diced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened and translucent.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute, allowing its fragrance to fill the air.
Cooking
- Add the cubed sweet potatoes to the skillet, stirring them with the onions and garlic. Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the edges become tender and slightly caramelized.
- Return the ground beef to the skillet and introduce the diced red bell pepper, chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika. Stir to combine all the ingredients and coat them with the spices.
- Pour in the beef broth, cover the skillet, and reduce the heat to medium-low. Allow it to simmer for about 10 more minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are fork-tender. Check occasionally and stir to ensure nothing sticks to the bottom.
- Adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if desired.
Serving
- Serve warm, garnished with fresh cilantro and slices of avocado if using.
Notes
For added flavor, consider using a gluten-free taco seasoning blend. Let the sweet potatoes cook until a little crispy — this adds texture. Substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option. This skillet dish can be made ahead of time and reheats beautifully. Experiment with toppings like fresh lime juice for a bright finishing touch.