Description
This Southwest Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet is a hearty, flavorful one-pan meal combining lean ground beef, spicy seasonings, tender sweet potatoes, and melty cheddar cheese. Perfect for a quick 30-minute dinner that offers a balanced mix of protein, vegetables, and bold Southwestern flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Vegetables
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 2 cups peeled and diced sweet potatoes
- 14.5 ounce can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- 4 ounces canned diced green chiles
- 1 teaspoon grated garlic
Seasonings and Others
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 teaspoons chili powder, divided
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Cilantro for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Ground Beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and lean ground beef. Crumble the beef thoroughly and season with 3 teaspoons of chili powder, 1 teaspoon cumin, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Cook until the beef is almost fully cooked through, then add the grated garlic and stir well to combine.
- Prepare Sweet Potatoes: To the same skillet, add the peeled and diced sweet potatoes, fire-roasted diced tomatoes (with their juices), canned diced green chiles, and 1/4 cup of water. Season with the remaining 2 teaspoons chili powder, salt, pepper, and a pinch of cumin. Stir to combine all ingredients well.
- Simmer: Cover the skillet with a lid and let the mixture simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sweet potatoes are tender and cooked through.
- Combine and Melt Cheese: Return the cooked ground beef mixture to the skillet if it was removed. Stir everything together evenly. Top the skillet with shredded cheddar cheese, cover again, and cook for a few minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the skillet from heat. Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves if desired. Serve hot straight from the skillet for a comforting and delicious Southwest-inspired meal.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and calories.
- Adjust chili powder amount to taste for desired heat level.
- Fire-roasted diced tomatoes add a smoky depth; regular diced tomatoes can be substituted if unavailable.
- The dish can be made gluten-free by ensuring all canned ingredients have no added gluten-containing thickeners or additives.
- For extra creaminess, you can stir in a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt when serving.
