Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet
If you're like me and constantly on the lookout for easy, filling meals that don’t skimp on flavor, then you’re going to love this Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet. It’s a cozy, one-pan dinner that checks all the boxes.
Equipment
- Large skillet or sauté pan
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Chef’s knife
- Cutting board
- Measuring Spoons and Cups
- Lid for the skillet (optional)
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 medium sweet potatoes peeled and diced
- 1 small yellow onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder optional for heat
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 cup water or broth
- 1 cup baby spinach optional
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese cheddar or mozzarella, optional
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Prep your ingredients
- Peel and dice the sweet potatoes into small, even cubes (about ½ inch) for quicker cooking.
- Dice the onion and mince the garlic.
- If using spinach, rinse and pat it dry.
- Shred the cheese and chop the parsley if you're using them for garnish.
- Pro Tip: The smaller your sweet potato cubes, the faster they'll cook. Try to keep them uniform in size so everything finishes at the same time.
Step 2: Brown the ground beef
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the ground beef and break it apart with a wooden spoon.
- Cook for 5–7 minutes, until it’s fully browned and no longer pink.
- Season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Once browned, transfer the beef to a bowl and set aside. Leave about 1 tablespoon of fat in the skillet (drain any excess if needed).
- Pro Tip: Don’t stir the beef too much in the first few minutes—it helps to let it sit and sear a bit for more flavor.
Step 3: Saute the veggies
- In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil.
- Toss in the diced onion and cook for 2–3 minutes, until softened and slightly golden.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
Step 4: Cook the sweet potatoes
- Add the diced sweet potatoes to the skillet and stir to coat them with the onion, garlic, and oil.
- Sprinkle in the smoked paprika, cumin, and chili powder (if using).
- Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Pour in the 1/4 cup of water or broth.
- Cover the skillet with a lid (or foil) and let the sweet potatoes steam and cook for about 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fork-tender.
- Pro Tip: If the pan starts to look dry before the sweet potatoes are soft, add a splash more water and re-cover.
Step 5: Combine everything
- Once the sweet potatoes are tender, return the cooked ground beef to the skillet.
- Stir everything together well to combine.
- If you’re using spinach, toss it in now and cook for another 1–2 minutes, just until wilted.
Step 6: Finish with cheese (optional)
- Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over the top.
- Cover the skillet for 1–2 minutes to let the cheese melt, then uncover and remove from heat.
- Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
- Pro Tip: If you like a little crispy edge, you can pop the skillet under the broiler for 2–3 minutes instead of covering to melt the cheese—just make sure your skillet is oven-safe!
Notes
Nutritional Value (Per Serving – Approximate)
- Calories: ~400–450 kcal
- Protein: ~22–25g
- Carbohydrates: ~25–30g
- Fat: ~25g
- Fiber: ~4–6g
- Sugar: ~6g
- Sodium: ~400–600mg