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Southwestern Ground Beef Sweet Potato Skillet Recipe

4.8 from 119 reviews

A hearty and flavorful Southwestern Ground Beef Sweet Potato Skillet combining lean ground beef, tender sweet potatoes, black beans, and a blend of spices. This one-pan meal is perfect for a nutritious and comforting weeknight dinner, with an optional cheesy topping to enhance the rich southwestern flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Vegetables

  • 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

Spices and 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 Ingredients

  • 1 15 ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup shredded cheese (optional)

Instructions

  1. Brown the beef and vegetables. Add the ground beef, diced onion, diced red bell pepper, and minced garlic to a skillet set over medium heat. Break up the ground beef into large chunks and cook until browned and fully cooked through. Drain off any extra fat to keep the dish lean.
  2. Add the spices. Sprinkle chili powder, cumin, kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, oregano, and red pepper flakes over the beef mixture. Stir constantly and cook for 1 minute until the spices are fragrant and well combined.
  3. Cook the sweet potatoes and beans. Stir in the peeled and cubed sweet potatoes, drained and rinsed black beans, and water. Mix well to combine all ingredients. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover the skillet, and let it cook for 15-20 minutes until the sweet potatoes are fork tender.
  4. Evaporate excess liquid. Remove the lid and continue to cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to allow any remaining liquid to evaporate, resulting in a thicker consistency.
  5. Add cheese and melt. Remove the skillet from heat. Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over the top, then cover the skillet again and let it sit for about 5 minutes. The residual heat will melt the cheese, adding a creamy texture to the dish.
  6. Serve. Serve the skillet with your favorite toppings such as fresh cilantro, avocado slices, sour cream, or salsa for an extra burst of flavor.

Notes

  • For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with plant-based ground meat or additional beans.
  • Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to control spiciness according to your preference.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated on the stovetop or microwave.
  • This dish pairs well with a side of cornbread or a fresh green salad.
  • If you prefer a crispy texture, after adding the cheese, you can place the skillet under a broiler for 1-2 minutes to brown the cheese slightly (use an oven-safe skillet).

Keywords: southwestern beef skillet, sweet potato recipe, ground beef skillet, one-pan dinner, healthy beef recipe, black beans, cheesy beef sweet potato skillet