A 30 minute meal, made in one pan, hearty, satisfying, and healthy dinner - what’s not to love! This Skillet Ground Beef and Sweet Potato recipe takes on Southwest flavors with a veggie and sweet potato base and includes perfectly seasoned lean ground beef.
Looking for more meat? Keep scrolling because we love healthy ground beef recipes!
Table of Contents
Easy and nutritious ground beef skillet recipe
Andddddd we’re back with another one pan meal. I don’t have to convince you the glory of such recipes because there’s no doubt, less dishes = better!! And what else is amazing is how delicious this Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet meal really is.
It starts with browning the beef and then in the same pan the veggies get soft and caramelized. A can of tomatoes is added to make things a little saucey and hold everything together. The result is a satiating meal the whole family is going to love.
Plus, there’s so many ways to enjoy it! Have it over a bed of lettuce or rice for a delicious Southwest bowl, wrap it in a burrito or on top of corn tortillas for the most delicious tacos, with chips as nachos, or divide it between containers and enjoy for meal prep all week long!
And if you’re looking for another one pan meal, also try this One Pot Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta, this One Pan Thai Basil Beef or this One Pan Skillet Shepherd’s Pie that I think you’ll love, too!
Featured CommenT
Recipe Ingredients
- Ground Beef - I love using 92% lean ground beef because it still brings the flavor without excess fat.
- Veggies - Sweet Potato is the star and bulks up this skillet, but it also includes white onion, red bell pepper, jalapeño, tomatoes, and green chiles.
- Taco Seasoning - Provides that Southwest flavor in an a convenient package so you don't have to measure anything!
- Lime - Squeezing some on at the end is the perfect citrusy touch to round out the dish.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
Substitutions and Variations
- Protein: You could use any ground meat in place of the beef, like ground chicken, turkey, or lamb. To make it vegetarian-friendly, swap the ground beef for a plant-based alternative meat or a can of drained and rinsed black beans.
- Dairy: You can make this a dairy-free dish, using plant-based cheese, adding 3 tablespoons of nutritional yeast for that cheesy flavor, or omit completely! It’s plenty flavorful without it.
- Veggies: This skillet has plenty of veggies, but if you’re looking to add more/swap any out try zucchini or yellow squash, red onion, sliced carrots, mushrooms, or some cauliflower rice.
other recipes that feature Ground Beef...
Make your own Taco Seasoning
If you don’t have a taco seasoning packet handy, you can use the following recipe: 2 teaspoons of chili powder, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon oregano, and as many red pepper flakes as desired.
Let's Make This Quick Recipe
1. Start by preparing the vegetables: Use a vegetable chopper to dice white onion, red pepper, and jalapeno into small pieces. Peel the sweet potatoes (if desired), then dice into small, even cubes.
2. Heat a large skillet (regular or a cast iron skillet both work) to medium heat and add in ¼ tablespoon of avocado oil. Add in diced white onion and minced garlic. Sauté for 2 minutes.
3. Then add the ground beef and ½ of the taco seasoning packet to the skillet. Cook for 6-8 minutes or until it’s light brown. Remove the beef from the skillet and set aside.
4. With the skillet still on medium heat, add in the remaining avocado oil, diced sweet potatoes, canned tomatoes, red pepper, jalapeños, and canned green chiles.
5. Stir together and then pour in the beef stock and remaining taco seasoning. Ensure everything is coated well. Cover with a lid and allow to cook for ~20 minutes so sweet potatoes begin to soften (they will absorb the liquid when cooking).
6. Then turn the skillet to low heat. Put the meat mixture back into the skillet. Add the juice of one lime, then stir to combine.
7. Sprinkle in the shredded cheese and cilantro. Cover the skillet again for 3-5 additional minutes to let the cheese melt. Top with avocado, salsa, tomato slices, greek yogurt. Serve on a bed of shredded lettuce or Copycat Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice. Enjoy!
Fun idea
Taco Tuesday?!? Serve this skillet over a bed of nacho chips, wrap it in a burrito, or in warm corn tortillas. It has all of the elements of a taco/nacho/burrito! I recently made this recipe for dinner and topped it with my Jalapeño Ranch Crema. It was fabulous!
Expert Tips
- If you’re using a higher fat percentage beef and there’s excess fat in the pan after cooking the meat, be sure to drain the grease off or soak up with a paper towel before adding in the vegetables.
- A vegetable chopper makes things much easier for this recipe so all of your veggies are an even size.
- If you don't love spice, be sure to de-seed the jalapeño and use only half (or omit completely!). The dish will still have so much flavor.
How do I know when the sweet potatoes are done?
Depending on how the sweet potatoes are cut will factor into their cooking time. I always use a vegetable chopper to make sure that they all will cook evenly. However, depending on the thickness will vary cooking time.
If they are not fork tender after 20 minutes, cover the skillet with a lid and let them continue to cook. You may need to add another tablespoon or two of water to keep the steam in the skillet.
Recipe FAQs
Be sure to let the skillet cool completely before storing. Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
It’s great for meal prep, so if you’re considering using this meal throughout the week, divide it between 4 separate microwave safe containers for easy grab-and-go. Then all you have to do is heat it up before you’re ready to enjoy!
Thinking of freezing for later? I recommend keeping the cheese off the skillet until before eating. Allow the skillet to cool completely. Then transfer into a freezer-safe, gallon size bag and remove as much air as possible. Store for 2-3 months.
I chose to add avocado, salsa, sliced cherry tomatoes, and a dollop of greek yogurt (or sour cream) on top. Think whatever would be good on a taco. Other ideas: queso or a crema of sorts, Creamy Jalapeño Sauce, shredded cheddar cheese, green onions, pico, or a chimichurri sauce.
Serving Suggestions
This sweet potato hash recipe is plenty hearty on it’s own, but pairs great with a variety of sides. Serve it with a side of brown rice or cauliflower rice, a simple greens salad, a roasted veggie like crispy brussels sprouts or roasted green beans. Shake up a pitcher of Spicy Orange Jalapeño Margaritas while you're at it!
I also like serving with tortilla chips you can use to scoop up the mixture, nacho style. Or keep with the southwest theme and throw everything into a large tortilla for a sweet potato ground beef burrito.
More Recipes You'll Love
Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟rating in the recipe card below & if you really like the recipe consider leaving a comment further down. Thanks for visiting!
Recipe
Southwest Skillet Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Recipe
Equipment
- vegetable chopper optional
- Knife
- Cutting Board
- Vegetable peeler
- skillet
- Meat spatula
- Rubber Spatula
Ingredients
- ½ tbsp avocado oil, or olive oil
- 1 lb lean ground beef, 96% lean
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium sweet potatoes
- 1 small white onion
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 small jalapeño
- 1 packet low sodium taco seasoning, divided
- 1 can fire roasted diced tomatoes, 14.5 oz
- 1 can green chilis, 4oz, optional
- ¼ cup beef stock, sub water if needed
- 1 lime, juiced
- ¾ cup lite shredded Mexican cheese
- 3 tbsp fresh cilantro, diced
For topping
- sliced tomatoes
- avocado
- salsa
- greek yogurt
- queso
- tortilla chips
- Jalapeno Crema
Instructions
- Start by preparing the vegetables: Use a vegetable chopper to dice white onion, red pepper, and jalapeno into small pieces. Peel the sweet potatoes (if desired), then dice into small, even cubes.
- Heat a large skillet (regular or a cast iron skillet both work) to medium heat and add in ¼ tablespoon of avocado oil. Add in diced white onion and minced garlic. Sauté for 2 minutes.
- Then add the ground beef and ½ of the taco seasoning packet to the skillet. Cook for 6-8 minutes or until it’s light brown.
- Remove the beef from the skillet and set aside.
- With the skillet still on medium heat, add in the remaining avocado oil, diced sweet potatoes, canned tomatoes, red pepper, jalapenos, and canned green chiles.
- Stir together and then pour in the beef stock and remaining taco seasoning. Ensure everything is coated well. Cover with a lid and allow to cook for ~20 minutes so sweet potatoes begin to soften. Stir occasionally to prevent burning.
- Once the potatoes are fork tender and most liquid is absorbed, turn the skillet to low heat. Put the meat mixture back into the skillet. Add the juice of one lime, then stir to combine.
- Sprinkle in the shredded cheese and cilantro. Cover the skillet again for 3-5 additional minutes to let the cheese melt.
- Top with avocado, salsa, tomato slices, greek yogurt. Serve on a bed of shredded lettuce or Copycat Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Video
Notes
Looking for this in MyFitnessPal?
If you're using MyFitnessPal, search 'A Paige Of Positivity' and find Southwest Sweet Potato Ground Beef Skillet calories and nutrition facts. Disclaimer: for most accurate macronutrients and caloric breakdown, it is recommended that you input each ingredient into your MyFitnessPal food diary.
I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. It’s my passion to create dishes that can be shared with others. Tell me something you loved or just say hi!
Jack Allen says
Delicious can’t think of a better meal!!
Sydney Van Acker says
So simple and delicious. One pan meals are my jam and this one is up there as one of my favorites!
Sasha says
So yummy and healthy. The kids even loved it!
Kara says
I love a good one pot meal and this one was a family favorite! We made it after baseball practice and it was so easier to throw together for a busy weeknight.
Mandy says
Such a hearty and satisfying dish! It's a great way to incorporate sweet potatoes into a savory meal. The flavors are fantastic. Will cook this again!
Candy says
Truly tasty! I used the leftovers to make some nachos for our late snack. I haven't used sweet potatoes before for this kind of meal but it turned out great. Thanks!
Jayden says
This has quickly become part of my regular rotation of weeknight dinners. It's delicious, healthy and quick. I use a homemade taco seasoning instead of a premade one.
Lorna says
I recently prepared this ground beef and sweet potato skillet recipe, and it was an absolute culinary delight! The intricate dance of flavors on my palate was truly delightful, and the best part was that my entire family loved it just as much as I did. I'm already looking forward to making this again!
Courtney Paige says
I freaking love this recipe. SO tasty and such a good dinner! Add it to your weekly rotation.
Jessica says
Made this tonight and it was so delicious!
Courtney Paige says
love to hear it, Jessica! Thanks for the review.
Amy Holmberg says
Very easy to make and such a great weeknight dinner!
Jen says
Recipe calls for canned green chilis as well? That wasn’t in the ingredients list so I didn’t get it for the recipe 😩
Courtney Paige says
Hey Jen!! No worries at all. The green chilis are totally optional. The recipe card has been updated to reflect that. I hope you enjoy!! 🙂
Peggy Brueggen says
This dish is delicious, easy and quick to put together!!! I substituted ground turkey because I can’t eat beef due to an allergy. @paigeofpositivity recipes never disappoints. Thank you 😊
Peggy says
Great dish with lots of flavor. I love sweet potatoes and this was a great way to have them in a main course.
LynYay says
I love the idea of this dinner, and with a little ingredient deduction, it is perfection! Thank you!
But as an RNFA, with nutrition background, I must say the label “healthy dinner”, is misleading, BUT only once you get to the extra stuff! ‘MOST’ everything was fine (as far as the “healthy dinner” part goes) until you started adding unnecessary ingredients such a tortilla strips.
Also, the beef broth (HELLA SODIUM regardless if low or not), this meal WAS AMAZING, but if you’re truly, truly looking for something to lower cholesterol, or burn fat, this ain’t it! If you’re new to fat burning programs and you just simply entered in the recipe search bar looking for healthy meals, this is not eat. Having said that, YOU CAN, enjoy this meal still! Using 5 ingredients or less (include the meat, potatoes, and spinach) then choose your other 2 ingredients (down to the nitty gritty widely) and thus you have a “healthy meal!”)
I would like to add, THIS PARTICULAR RECIPE is FANTASTIC!!!! But, I don’t condone the “healthy” label. If you are looking for taste over health, then this exact recipe is fine.