Say hello to your new weeknight dinner hero: the Southwest Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet! Bold, zesty, and comforting, this one-pan wonder brings together tender sweet potatoes, perfectly-seasoned beef, and melty cheddar in a dish that’s as hearty as it is downright irresistible. It’s easy enough for busy nights, but packs a flavor punch that makes it anything but ordinary.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- One-pan simplicity: Everything cooks in a single skillet, so you get full, deep flavor with minimal mess and quick cleanup.
- Southwest flair: Chili powder, cumin, and fire-roasted tomatoes bring a vibrant punch—the spices will delight your tastebuds without overwhelming.
- Family-pleaser: The combination of sweet potatoes and melty cheddar is a guaranteed hit with both kids and adults, and it’s naturally gluten-free.
- 30-minute magic: From fridge to table in under half an hour, it’s perfect for those nights when you want something nourishing but speedy.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Southwest Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet is how each simple ingredient plays a starring role, coming together for a meal that’s colorful and bursting with flavor. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need, with a tip for every star player in the skillet.
- Olive oil: Adds richness and helps everything brown beautifully—don’t skimp for flavor!
- Diced onion: Sautéed until just tender, it gives the base a fragrant sweetness and depth.
- Lean ground beef: Choose a leaner blend so the dish doesn’t get greasy but keeps plenty of meaty flavor.
- Chili powder and cumin: These Southwest spices are layered for powerful, earthy warmth—portion out the chili powder as specified for the biggest flavor payoff.
- Kosher salt & fresh black pepper: Season as you go, tasting to find your perfect balance.
- Grated garlic: Just a bit, but freshly grated makes the flavors come alive.
- Peeled and diced sweet potatoes: The hero veggie! Dice them evenly so they cook quickly and soak up all the sauce.
- Fire roasted diced tomatoes: These give a smoky, tangy edge you don’t get from regular tomatoes—search them out if you can.
- Canned diced green chiles: Add mild heat and Southwest authenticity without being overpowering.
- Water: Helps the sweet potatoes steam to perfection and melds the sauce.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: A shower of cheese at the end makes everything creamy, gooey, and totally crave-worthy.
- Cilantro: Totally optional, but it adds a pop of color and a fresh counterpoint to those hearty flavors.
Variations
Part of what makes the Southwest Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet such a kitchen favorite is its flexibility! You can mix and match based on your pantry staples, spice tolerance, or dietary needs—here are some tempting ideas to make it your own.
- Make it vegetarian: Swap the ground beef for black beans and extra veggies like bell peppers or corn for a meatless, fiber-packed skillet.
- Turn up the heat: If you’re craving spice, stir in some chipotle powder or a diced jalapeño along with the green chiles.
- Cheese swap: Love a smoky undertone? Substitute smoked gouda or pepper jack in place of cheddar for an entirely new flavor.
- Low-carb alternative: Prefer fewer carbs? Substitute half the sweet potatoes for diced zucchini or cauliflower.
How to Make Southwest Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet
Step 1: Brown the Beef & Build the Flavor Base
Start by heating the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and ground beef, breaking up the meat as it cooks. Sprinkle in 1 tablespoon (3 teaspoons) of chili powder, 1 teaspoon of cumin, and a generous pinch each of salt and pepper. Sauté everything together, letting the beef get almost completely cooked through. Right before it’s done, stir in the grated garlic and cook for one more minute so the garlic releases its zingy aroma. Transfer this savory mixture to a plate and carefully wipe out your skillet—this step keeps the next batch of veggies vibrant and fresh.
Step 2: Simmer the Sweet Potatoes & Steep in Flavor
Add those beautifully diced sweet potatoes back into the skillet along with the fire-roasted tomatoes, canned green chiles, water, 2 teaspoons chili powder, another teaspoon cumin, plus more salt and pepper. Stir everything together and cover the skillet tightly with a lid. Lower the heat and let it all simmer for about 20 minutes—your kitchen will start to smell amazing while the sweet potatoes become fork-tender and soak up those southwest flavors.
Step 3: Bring It All Together & Finish
Now, grab your earlier beef mixture and slide it back into the skillet with the sweet potatoes. Give it a good gentle stir so every bite has a little of everything. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top and cover the pan once more. In just about a minute, the cheese will melt into swoon-worthy gooeyness—now it’s time to top with chopped cilantro if you love that burst of green freshness. Serve right from the skillet for ultimate coziness!
Pro Tips for Making Southwest Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet
- Even Dice, Even Cooking: Cut your sweet potatoes into uniform pieces for perfect tenderness in every bite—this way, they’ll all be done at the same time.
- Don’t Rush the Simmer: Letting the skillet simmer covered allows the sweet potatoes to soak up all the juicy, spiced goodness and keeps them from drying out.
- Layer the Spices: Dividing the chili powder and cumin between the beef and the veggies means flavor runs deep throughout the dish—don’t be tempted to add it all at once!
- Customize the Cheese: A bold cheddar melts best, but don’t be shy about sprinkling with pepper jack, Colby, or a Mexican blend if that’s more your speed.
How to Serve Southwest Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet
Garnishes
A sprinkle of chopped cilantro is a classic go-to, instantly bringing brightness and freshness that pops against the warm, savory flavors. To take things up a notch, add dollops of sour cream, a few slices of creamy avocado, or crunchy thin-sliced green onions—each one adds a burst of color and coolness to your Southwest Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet.
Side Dishes
This skillet dish is hearty enough to stand alone, but some fluffy cilantro-lime rice or a crisp green salad with a zesty vinaigrette both make stellar sides. If you’re feeling festive, a quick skillet of charred corn or some warm tortillas on the side create a true Southwest-inspired spread.
Creative Ways to Present
Try loading individual servings into crispy tortilla bowls for a fun taco salad twist, or spoon the filling into halved, roasted bell peppers for a colorful, handheld meal. For parties, serve the Southwest Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet with tortilla chips and let everyone scoop right from the pan—interactive and always a hit.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Let the skillet cool to room temperature, then transfer leftovers to an airtight container. The flavors meld even more overnight, making leftover portions extra delicious for tomorrow’s lunch or dinner! It will keep well in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Freezing
This dish freezes like a dream. Store cooled portions in freezer-safe containers or bags (squeeze out extra air for best results). The Southwest Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet will stay tasty for up to 2 months—just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
For best results, reheat over medium heat in a skillet, adding a splash of water if the sauce looks thick. You can also microwave individual portions—stir halfway through for even warming, and top with a fresh sprinkle of cheese or cilantro for that “just-cooked” taste.
FAQs
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Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?
Absolutely! Ground turkey works beautifully in the Southwest Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet—just be sure to adjust your seasoning, as turkey is a bit lighter and may need a pinch more salt or chili powder to really shine.
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Is this recipe spicy?
The dish has gentle warmth from chili powder and green chiles, but it isn’t fiery. For more heat, add extra chiles, jalapeños, or a dash of hot sauce. For less spice, use mild green chiles or skip them entirely.
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What can I use instead of fire roasted tomatoes?
If you can’t find fire roasted tomatoes, regular canned diced tomatoes work just fine. For extra smoky flavor, add a pinch of smoked paprika or a dash of chipotle sauce to the mix.
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How can I make this dish dairy-free?
Simply omit the cheese, or use your favorite dairy-free shredded cheese alternative. The Southwest Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet is delicious and hearty, even without cheese on top.
Final Thoughts
I can’t wait for you to try this Southwest Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet. It’s one of those meals you’ll crave again and again—cozy, nourishing, and loaded with southwest flavor in every forkful. Give it a spin this week; I have a feeling it’ll become a treasured staple in your kitchen, too!
Print
Southwest Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Stovetop
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southwestern
Description
This Southwest Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet is a flavorful and hearty one-pan meal that combines lean ground beef, sweet potatoes, and a variety of spices for a delicious dinner option.
Ingredients
For the Ground Beef:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 5 teaspoons chili powder, divided
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon grated garlic
For the Sweet Potatoes:
- 2 cups peeled and diced sweet potatoes
- 14.5 ounce can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- 4 ounces canned diced green chiles
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Cilantro for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Cook the Ground Beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and diced onion, crumble the beef, and season with 3 teaspoons of chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Add garlic towards the end of cooking. Transfer to a plate.
- Prepare the Sweet Potatoes: In the same skillet, combine sweet potatoes, fire-roasted tomatoes, green chiles, water, 2 teaspoons of chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Cover and simmer for about 20 minutes until sweet potatoes are tender.
- Combine and Serve: Add the cooked ground beef to the sweet potatoes, stir, top with shredded cheese, cover until melted. Garnish with cilantro before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
