Description
This Southwest Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet is a vibrant, hearty one-pan meal featuring tender sweet potatoes, seasoned ground beef, black beans, and diced tomatoes with green chilies. It combines bold southwestern spices like chili powder, cumin, and oregano for a comforting, flavorful dish perfect for a quick dinner. Topped with melted cheddar cheese and fresh cilantro, it’s both satisfying and nutritious.
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 it is fully browned. Drain off any excess grease.
- Sauté the aromatics: Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 4 minutes. Then add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Add vegetables and spices: 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 until evenly combined.
- Simmer covered: Bring the mixture to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover the skillet, and cook for 12 to 15 minutes or until sweet potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork. Stir occasionally to avoid sticking.
- Reduce excess liquid: Remove the lid and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes if there’s too much liquid, letting it evaporate.
- Optional cheese topping: If desired, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top. Cover briefly and cook about 1 minute more until the cheese melts.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from heat, garnish with chopped fresh cilantro, and serve immediately for a wholesome, flavorful meal.
Notes
- To make this dish vegetarian, substitute ground beef with a plant-based ground meat or extra black beans.
- You can use sweet potatoes with skin on if preferred; just make sure they are well washed and cut evenly.
- Adjust chili powder and cumin according to desired spice level.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated on stovetop or microwave.
- Serve with a side of steamed rice or warm corn tortillas for a complete meal.
- For a dairy-free version, skip the cheese or use a dairy-free alternative.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southwestern
Keywords: southwest skillet, ground beef, sweet potato recipe, one-pan meal, black beans, quick dinner, southwestern cuisine
