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Hearty Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet: A One-Pan Wonder

A warm, flavorful, and satisfying one-pan meal, Hearty Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet combines tender sweet potatoes, seasoned ground beef, and bold spices for a quick and nutritious dinner. This easy, customizable recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or whenever you need a hearty and wholesome meal.  
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients:
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 2 medium sweet potatoes peeled and cubed (½-inch pieces)
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
Spices and Seasonings:
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon paprika sweet or smoked
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
Optional Add-Ins:
  • Up to 1 cup beef broth or water
  • 1 diced bell pepper
  • 1 can 15 oz black beans, rinsed
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Garnish:
  • Fresh cilantro or parsley chopped

Method
 

Prepare Ingredients:
  1. Peel and cube sweet potatoes into ½-inch pieces. Dice the onion and mince the garlic. Prepare optional ingredients like bell peppers or beans, if using.
Sauté the Onion and Garlic:
  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  2. Add diced onion and sauté for 3–4 minutes until softened.
  3. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Cook the Ground Beef:
  1. Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it into small pieces with a spoon.
  2. Cook for 5–7 minutes, or until browned. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
Add Sweet Potatoes and Spices:
  1. Stir in cubed sweet potatoes.
  2. Sprinkle with cumin, paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well to coat the potatoes and beef evenly.
Cook Until Tender:
  1. If the skillet seems dry, add up to 1 cup of beef broth or water to help the sweet potatoes cook.
  2. Cover the skillet, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sweet potatoes are tender.
Incorporate Optional Ingredients:
  1. Add diced bell pepper or black beans during the last 5 minutes of cooking for extra flavor and texture.
Finish with Cheese and Garnish:
  1. Once the sweet potatoes are tender and the liquid has mostly evaporated, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top (if using).
  2. Cover the skillet for 2–3 minutes to melt the cheese.
  3. Garnish with fresh cilantro or parsley before serving.

Notes

  • Cut sweet potatoes into uniform pieces for even cooking.
  • Adjust spices to taste—add more chili powder or red pepper flakes for extra heat.
  • A large skillet prevents overcrowding and ensures even cooking.