Description
This Southwest Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet is a hearty and flavorful one-pan meal perfect for any day of the week. Combining tender sweet potatoes, spicy diced tomatoes with green chilies, protein-rich ground beef, and fiber-packed black beans, this dish offers a balanced and satisfying dinner with a Southwestern twist. It’s easy to prepare, cooks quickly on the stovetop, and can be topped with melted cheddar cheese and fresh cilantro for extra flavor.
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
Spices and Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Optional Toppings
- 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 to keep the dish from becoming greasy.
- Sauté Onions and Garlic: Add the chopped onion to the skillet with the beef and cook until the onion is softened, about 4 minutes. Then stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add Sweet Potatoes, Beans, and Tomatoes: Mix 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. Stir to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Simmer the Skillet: Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover the skillet with a lid and cook for 12 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Cook until the sweet potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Reduce Excess Liquid: Remove the lid and cook uncovered for another 2 to 3 minutes if there is still excess liquid in the skillet, allowing some of the moisture to evaporate.
- Add Cheese (Optional): If desired, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the skillet. Cover briefly for about 1 minute to let the cheese melt completely.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the skillet from heat, garnish with chopped fresh cilantro, and serve immediately while hot and delicious.
Notes
- Use canned black beans rinsed and drained to reduce sodium content and improve texture.
- Adjust the chili powder and diced tomatoes with green chilies according to your preferred spice level.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with crumbled tofu or plant-based meat alternatives.
- To save time, you can peel and dice the sweet potatoes ahead of time and store them in water to prevent browning.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated on the stovetop or microwave.
- Adding cheese is optional but enhances the flavor with a creamy texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southwestern
Keywords: Southwest Ground Beef Skillet, Sweet Potato Dinner, One-Pan Meal, Healthy Beef Skillet, Quick Southwest Recipe
