Southwest Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet

Bold, hearty, and full of Tex-Mex flavor

This Southwest Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet is a delicious one-pan meal packed with color and flavor. Sweet potatoes add a natural creaminess that balances perfectly with seasoned ground beef, black beans, and smoky spices. It’s an easy healthy recipe and an ideal fall dinner idea, perfect for busy weeknights when you want something filling but fresh. Topped with avocado, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime, this dish is as vibrant as it is satisfying and cleanup is a breeze since it all cooks in one skillet.

Time Breakdown

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients List

• 1 lb ground beef (or ground chicken for a lighter version)
• 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced into ½-inch cubes
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
• ½ cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• ½ teaspoon cumin
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ cup shredded cheese (optional, for topping)
• Juice of 1 lime
• Optional toppings: diced avocado, fresh cilantro, chopped tomato, or sour cream

Kitchen Tools You’ll Need

This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.

• Large skillet or frying pan
• Sharp knife
• Cutting board
• Measuring cups & spoons
• Wooden spoon or spatula

Step-by-Step Beginner-Friendly Instructions

1. Brown the beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, breaking it apart until browned. Drain excess fat and set aside.
2. Sauté the aromatics: In the same skillet, add olive oil, onion, and bell pepper. Sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. Add sweet potatoes and spices: Stir in diced sweet potatoes, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cover and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sweet potatoes are tender.
4. Combine ingredients: Add the cooked beef back into the skillet along with black beans and corn. Stir well to combine and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes to heat everything through.
5. Add cheese and lime: Sprinkle shredded cheese on top, cover for 1 to 2 minutes until melted, then finish with a squeeze of lime juice for a burst of brightness.
6. Serve and garnish: Spoon into bowls and top with diced avocado, cilantro, and tomato if desired. Serve warm.

Pro Tips

• Make it spicier: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or sliced jalapeños for extra heat.
• One-pan meal prep: This dish stores well for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. Reheat in a skillet for best texture.
• Swap the protein: Use ground turkey, venison, or plant-based crumbles for a lighter option.
• Serving idea: Enjoy with warm tortillas or over rice for a complete Tex-Mex inspired meal.

Nutrition Table

Conclusion

This Southwest Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet is a wholesome, flavor-packed meal that brings together the best of smoky, savory, and sweet in every bite. It’s quick to prepare, perfectly balanced, and endlessly customizable, making it ideal for family dinners or meal prep. With melty cheese, creamy avocado, and bright lime, this skillet is comfort food with a fresh, vibrant twist.

Southwest Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet

A delicious one-pan meal packed with Tex-Mex flavor, featuring seasoned ground beef, sweet potatoes, and vibrant toppings.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine Tex-Mex

Servings 4 servings

Calories 420 kcal

Ingredients

  

Main Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef (or ground chicken for a lighter version)
• 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced into ½-inch cubes
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 15 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
• ½ cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• ½ teaspoon cumin
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ cup shredded cheese (optional, for topping)
• 1 juice of 1 lime
• Optional toppings: diced avocado, fresh cilantro, chopped tomato, or sour cream

Instructions

 

Preparation

• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, breaking it apart until browned. Drain excess fat and set aside.
• In the same skillet, add olive oil, onion, and bell pepper. Sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
• Stir in diced sweet potatoes, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cover and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sweet potatoes are tender.
• Add the cooked beef back into the skillet along with black beans and corn. Stir well to combine and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes to heat everything through.
• Sprinkle shredded cheese on top, cover for 1 to 2 minutes until melted, then finish with a squeeze of lime juice.
• Spoon into bowls and top with diced avocado, cilantro, and tomato if desired. Serve warm.

Notes

Make it spicier: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or sliced jalapeños for extra heat. This dish stores well for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. Reheat in a skillet for best texture. Use ground turkey, venison, or plant-based crumbles for a lighter option. Enjoy with warm tortillas or over rice for a complete meal.

Keyword Ground Beef, Healthy Dinner, One-Pan Meal, Southwest Skillet, Sweet Potato