Southwest Beef Sweet Potato Skillet (Printable)

Hearty one-pan dish with seasoned beef, sweet potatoes, and bold Southwest flavors ready in 35 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1 lb ground beef, preferably lean

→ Vegetables

02 - 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced (about 3 cups)
03 - 1 small red onion, diced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced

→ Spices & Seasonings

05 - 1 ½ tsp chili powder
06 - 1 tsp ground cumin
07 - ½ tsp smoked paprika
08 - ½ tsp salt
09 - ¼ tsp black pepper

→ Pantry & Oils

10 - 2 tbsp olive oil

→ Optional Toppings

11 - ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
12 - 1 avocado, sliced
13 - ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (omit for dairy-free)

# Directions:

01 - Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spatula, until browned and cooked through, about 5-6 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary and transfer beef to a plate.
02 - Add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the same skillet. Add the diced sweet potatoes and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
03 - Add the diced onion and red bell pepper. Continue to cook for 4-5 minutes, until vegetables begin to soften.
04 - Return the cooked ground beef to the skillet. Add chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine.
05 - Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sweet potatoes are tender.
06 - Uncover and cook another 2-3 minutes to allow any excess moisture to evaporate.
07 - Serve hot, garnished with cilantro, avocado, and shredded cheese as desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything happens in one pan, so you spend more time eating and less time scrubbing dishes
  • Sweet potatoes get these crispy edges while staying tender inside, which is basically magic
  • The spice blend hits that perfect spot where everyone reaches for seconds but no one needs milk
02 -
  • Sweet potato size matters more than you think, so try to cut them evenly for consistent cooking
  • Letting the vegetables develop some color before adding spices back in makes a huge difference
  • The final uncovered step is crucial for getting those crispy edges everyone loves
03 -
  • Prep all your vegetables before starting since the cooking moves fast once you begin
  • A cast iron skillet creates the best crust, but any large pan with a lid works perfectly

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