Southwest Ground Beef & Sweet Potato Skillet: Cozy Comfort! (Print Version)

Whip up a Southwest Ground Beef & Sweet Potato Skillet! This easy, cozy recipe brings warm flavors & minimal cleanup. Perfect for busy weeknights!

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 25 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Difficulty: Intermediate
Cuisine: Southwestern
Dietary: Gluten-Free

# Ingredients:

→ Skillet Stars

01 - 1 lb lean ground beef
02 - 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced into ½-inch cubes
03 - 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
04 - 1 bell pepper (any color), chopped

→ Flavor Power-Ups

05 - 2-3 cloves garlic, minced (or more, honestly!)
06 - 1 tbsp chili powder
07 - 1 tsp ground cumin
08 - ½ tsp smoked paprika
09 - ½ tsp dried oregano
10 - 1 tbsp tomato paste

→ Liquid & Lift

11 - 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
12 - ½ cup beef broth

→ Finishing Touches

13 - ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
14 - Lime wedges, for serving
15 - Optional: sour cream or shredded cheese for serving

# Instructions:

01 - Okay, first things first, grab your biggest skillet, preferably cast iron if you have one – it just gets a better sear, you know? Heat a drizzle of olive oil over medium-high heat. Toss in your ground beef, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Let it get nice and browned, really develop some color. This is where I always forget to season it a bit at this stage, but a pinch of salt and pepper helps! Once it's cooked through, drain any excess fat. Honestly, you'll see it bubbling up, just tilt the pan and scoop it out. Then, add your chopped onion and bell pepper. Sauté them until they start to soften, about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. You want them tender-crisp, not mushy, so keep an eye on them. The kitchen will start smelling amazing, trust me!
02 - Now for the fun part! Push the beef and veggies to one side of the skillet, creating a little space in the middle. Add your minced garlic and tomato paste to that empty spot. Let the garlic get fragrant for about 30 seconds – oh, that smell! – and let the tomato paste cook down a bit, almost caramelizing. This deepens its flavor, an absolute game-changer. Then, stir in your chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and dried oregano. Stir everything together, coating the beef and veggies evenly. It should smell incredibly aromatic and earthy right now. This is where all those Southwest vibes really start to happen, I swear!
03 - Next up, pour in your canned diced tomatoes (don't drain 'em, the juices are important!) and your beef broth. Give it all a good stir, making sure to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan – that's pure flavor right there! Now, carefully add your cubed sweet potatoes. Make sure they're mostly submerged in the liquid. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover the skillet and let it cook for about 15-20 minutes, or until those sweet potatoes are fork-tender. Don't rush this step; it's crucial for perfectly cooked potatoes!
04 - After about 15 minutes, lift the lid and poke a sweet potato cube with a fork. Is it tender? Great! If not, give it a few more minutes, checking every so often. You don't want them mushy, just tender. This is where you taste for seasoning. Does it need more salt? A little more pepper? Maybe a pinch more chili powder if you're feeling bold? Adjust to your liking. I often find I need a bit more salt than I initially thought, especially with the sweet potatoes. It’s all about finding that perfect balance for *your* taste buds.
05 - Once the sweet potatoes are tender and the flavors are spot on, remove the skillet from the heat. This is the moment for fresh ingredients to shine! Stir in your fresh cilantro. Honestly, that pop of green and herbaceous flavor just brightens everything up. Give it a good mix. It's almost ready, just a couple more personal touches!
06 - Spoon generous portions of your delicious Southwest Ground Beef & Sweet Potato Skillet into bowls. Squeeze a fresh lime wedge over each serving – that citrus kick is *everything*! If you're feeling extra, a dollop of sour cream or a sprinkle of shredded cheese (cheddar or Monterey Jack are my faves) takes it to the next level. The colors are vibrant, the smells are incredible, and the taste? Pure comfort. You've earned this, hon. Enjoy the fruits of your kitchen labor!

# Notes:

01 - Always brown your ground beef well before adding other ingredients; it creates so much more flavor.
02 - This Southwest Ground Beef & Sweet Potato Skillet is even better the next day! Store it in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
03 - Ran out of sweet potatoes once, used butternut squash. It worked, but honestly, the sweet potatoes are where it's at for this skillet.
04 - Serve this Southwest Ground Beef & Sweet Potato Skillet with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro – makes all the difference!

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Large skillet (cast iron preferred)
02 - Cutting board
03 - Knife
04 - Wooden spoon/spatula

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 450
Total Fat: 20g
Total Carbohydrate: 40g
Protein: 30g

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