Description
A hearty and flavorful Southwest-inspired skillet dish featuring ground beef, sweet potatoes, black beans, and diced tomatoes with green chilies. This one-pan meal is easy to prepare, combining savory spices with nutritious ingredients for a satisfying dinner that comes together in about 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced into 1/2-inch pieces
- 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes and green chilies, undrained
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish
Instructions
- Brown the Ground Beef: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess grease to reduce fat.
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add Remaining Ingredients: Stir in the diced sweet potatoes, black beans, diced tomatoes with green chilies (including the liquid), chili powder, ground cumin, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to combine flavors.
- Simmer the Skillet: Bring the mixture to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the skillet, and cook for 12 to 15 minutes until the sweet potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Reduce Excess Liquid: Remove the lid and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes if there is excess liquid in the skillet, allowing it to evaporate and thicken the dish.
- Optional Cheese Topping: If desired, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top. Cover briefly until the cheese melts, about 1 minute.
- Serve: Remove from heat, garnish with freshly chopped cilantro, and serve immediately for a warm, comforting meal.
Notes
- For a leaner meal, use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef.
- Adjust chili powder and green chilies amount to control the spice level.
- You can substitute black beans with pinto beans or kidney beans as desired.
- Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat on the stovetop or microwave.
- To make the dish vegetarian, omit the meat and add extra beans or sautéed vegetables.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southwestern American
Keywords: southwest skillet, ground beef recipe, sweet potato dinner, black beans, one-pan meal, easy dinner, skillet recipe
