Southwestern Ground Beef Sweet Potato Skillet – Quick One-Pan Dinner

Southwestern Ground Beef Sweet Potato Skillet is your new best friend on a busy weeknight. You get bold Tex-Mex flavors, satisfying sweet potatoes, and hearty ground beef—all in just one skillet. This one-pan dinner brings the flavor party straight to your stovetop with almost no cleanup.

Packed with protein, fiber, and just the right amount of kick, this recipe is not only nourishing but also incredibly cozy. Best of all? It’s ready in under an hour and won’t have you juggling a million pots and pans. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or meal prepping for the week, this Southwestern Ground Beef Sweet Potato Skillet hits the spot—no side dish required.

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What is Southwestern Ground Beef Sweet Potato Skillet?

Southwestern Ground Beef Sweet Potato Skillet is basically a delicious Tex-Mex hug in a pan. It combines tender chunks of sweet potato with seasoned lean ground beef, black beans, bell peppers, and just enough cheese to keep things interesting (but not over the top). What makes it “Southwestern” is the blend of chili powder, cumin, garlic, and red pepper flakes—spices that add warmth and a subtle kick.

This isn’t just a mishmash of leftovers tossed together—it’s a carefully layered skillet meal where each ingredient brings something tasty to the table. Whether you’re trying to eat healthier, sneak more veggies into your meals, or just keep dinner exciting, this dish checks all the boxes.

Reasons to Try Southwestern Ground Beef Sweet Potato Skillet

First off, it’s a weeknight lifesaver. This Southwestern Ground Beef Sweet Potato Skillet is easy, fast, and requires almost no cleanup thanks to the one-pan method. It’s also super filling and high in both protein and fiber, which means no late-night pantry raids. Picky eaters? The cheesy top and familiar taco-inspired flavors usually win them over (yes, even the sweet potatoes!).

Plus, it’s flexible—toss in spinach, corn, or even a handful of crushed tortilla chips for crunch. Got leftovers? Reheat it for lunch or wrap it in a burrito. Bonus: it makes your kitchen smell like a cozy cantina. Honestly, the real question is why not try this one?

Ingredients Needed to Make Southwestern Ground Beef Sweet Potato Skillet

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• ½ cup yellow onion, diced
• ½ cup red bell pepper, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon oregano
• ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 3 cups sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup shredded cheese (optional, but let’s be honest—you want it)

Instructions to Make Southwestern Ground Beef Sweet Potato Skillet

Making this Southwestern Ground Beef Sweet Potato Skillet is a breeze when you follow this detailed step-by-step guide. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned home cook, this method walks you through each part of the process clearly and confidently, making dinnertime stress-free. We’ll also include helpful tips and internal links to related recipes or techniques so you always feel supported in the kitchen.

Step 1: Brown the Ground Beef with Aromatics

Start by heating a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add 1 pound of lean ground beef, ½ cup diced yellow onion, ½ cup diced red bell pepper, and 2 minced garlic cloves.

As the beef cooks, use a wooden spoon or spatula to break it up into bite-size crumbles. Stir occasionally to help the veggies soften evenly and the meat brown on all sides. This step usually takes 6–8 minutes.

👉 Tip: Want to use a different protein? You can swap the beef for ground turkey or chicken. Check out this ground turkey and zucchini skillet for an alternative skillet dinner.

Once fully browned and no pink remains, carefully drain off any excess fat. This keeps your dish from feeling greasy and allows the spices to shine.

Step 2: Add the Southwestern Spices

With the beef still in the skillet, sprinkle in your spice mix:

• 2 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• ½ tsp kosher salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ¼ tsp garlic powder
• ¼ tsp dried oregano
• ⅛ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for a touch of heat)

Cook this mixture for about 1 minute, stirring constantly. This quick toasting step brings the spices to life, helping them bloom in the hot pan and infuse the beef and veggies with bold Southwestern flavor.

👉 Learn more about layering flavor in skillet recipes with our healthy turkey taco bowl — another great one-pan option.

Step 3: Stir in Sweet Potatoes, Beans, and Water

Add the following ingredients directly into the skillet:

• 3 cups peeled and cubed sweet potatoes
• 1 (15 oz) can of black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup of water

Give everything a good stir so that the sweet potatoes are coated with all that spiced goodness. You want to evenly distribute the beans and potatoes across the beef mixture to help them cook uniformly.

👉 Quick prep tip: If you’re short on time, microwave your sweet potato cubes for 2–3 minutes before adding them to the skillet. It softens them slightly and speeds up the cooking process.

Step 4: Cover and Simmer Until Tender

Reduce the heat to medium-low and cover the skillet with a lid. Let the mixture simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are fork-tender.

Stir every 5 minutes or so to prevent sticking and help everything cook evenly. You’ll know the potatoes are ready when you can pierce them easily with a fork.

👉 If you’re new to working with root vegetables, our maple dijon chicken and sweet potato bowls offer more sweet potato inspiration with bold flavors.

Step 5: Remove Lid and Cook Off Extra Liquid

Once the potatoes are tender, remove the lid and cook for an additional 2–3 minutes. This helps any remaining water evaporate, giving you that perfect skillet texture—moist but not watery.

If the skillet still seems too wet after 3 minutes, simply raise the heat slightly and stir until the moisture reduces.

Step 6: Melt the Cheese

Now comes the cheesy finale. Remove the skillet from the heat and sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheese over the top. Then cover the skillet again and let it sit for about 5 minutes—this gives the cheese time to melt into every nook and cranny.

Not a fan of cheese? You can absolutely skip it or opt for a dairy-free alternative. For more cheesy comfort recipes, check out this high-protein cheeseburger bowl, which brings the same cozy vibes.

Step 7: Serve and Add Your Favorite Toppings

Now it’s time to serve! Spoon the Southwestern Ground Beef Sweet Potato Skillet into bowls or right onto plates. Garnish with your favorite toppings: sliced avocado, sour cream, chopped cilantro, hot sauce, or a fresh squeeze of lime.

This dish also makes a fantastic filling for tacos, burritos, or even a lettuce wrap. You could also pair it with our homemade cheesy garlic bread sloppy joe melts if you’re feeling extra indulgent.

What to Serve with Southwestern Ground Beef Sweet Potato Skillet

Honestly, this skillet is a full meal all on its own, but if you’re looking to round it out or stretch it further, a few sides never hurt. A crisp green salad or some sautéed greens on the side can lighten things up. You could also serve it with warm tortillas or over a bed of cilantro-lime rice if you’re feeling fancy. Craving crunch? A handful of tortilla chips on top totally works. For a protein boost, consider pairing it with our Healthy Turkey Ricotta Meatballs. If your fridge has half an avocado hanging out, this is its moment.

Key Tips for Making Southwestern Ground Beef Sweet Potato Skillet

Don’t cut your sweet potatoes too big—smaller cubes cook faster and evenly. Want to make it even quicker? Microwave the sweet potatoes for 3 minutes before adding them to the skillet. Drain your beef well after browning to keep things from getting greasy. If your skillet seems dry before the potatoes are cooked through, just add a splash more water and cover again. Not into heat? Skip the red pepper flakes. Cheese is optional, but it does act like a flavor glue that ties everything together (just saying). For a more “bowl-style” vibe, top with avocado, jalapeños, or a squeeze of lime.

Storage and Reheating Tips Southwestern Ground Beef Sweet Potato Skillet

This skillet meal stores like a champ. Let it cool completely before transferring to an airtight container. It’ll keep in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat, pop it in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or warm it gently on the stovetop. If it looks a little dry, add a splash of water or broth while reheating. Freezing? Totally doable. Portion into freezer-safe containers and store for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat the same way. The cheese might separate a bit when frozen, so consider adding that fresh when reheating for best results.

FAQs

Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?
Absolutely. Just keep in mind it’s leaner, so you might want to add a touch of olive oil while cooking to keep things juicy.

Is this recipe spicy?
It has a little kick from the chili and red pepper flakes, but nothing wild. Feel free to adjust to your family’s heat tolerance.

Can I make this dairy-free?
Totally—just skip the cheese or use a dairy-free alternative.

What if I don’t have black beans?
Pinto beans or kidney beans will work just as well. Use what you’ve got!

Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! This is a great meal prep option. Store it in individual containers for grab-and-go lunches.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a weeknight dinner that’s hearty, healthy-ish, and completely satisfying, this Southwestern Ground Beef Sweet Potato Skillet should be on your radar. It’s easy to make, budget-friendly, and flexible enough to fit your family’s tastes. Plus, you only need one skillet and a handful of pantry staples to make it happen. Whether you’re short on time, cooking for picky eaters, or just tired of doing dishes, this recipe delivers real flavor with minimal fuss. For more high-protein meals like this, try our High Protein Beef and Potato Burrito or Asian-Style Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps. Your skillet will thank you.

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