Some nights I want dinner that hugs the day back. This beef and sweet potato skillet does that. Heat meets sweet. The edges go crisp. The center stays tender. I grab a wooden spoon and the kitchen smells like comfort. We eat right from the pan and no one complains. I brown ground beef and toss in warm spice. Cubes of sweet potato soften and pick up all the good bits. I add onion and bell pepper for snap. A quick stir and the sauce turns silky. It tastes like a cozy night when plans shift and we are fine with that. I keep this on our weeknight list because it cooks fast and cleans up easy. It works for Ground Beef Recipes and Sweet Potato Recipes. It belongs with Skillet Dinners and Easy Beef Skillet ideas. It is perfect for One Pan Meals that still feel homemade. It even lands with Healthy Skillet Recipes when I add extra veggies. Simple food. Warm table. Happy crew. The pan earns a spot on the table and we pass forks. Sweet potato gives gentle caramel notes. Beef brings depth. Every bite feels balanced and steady. Leftovers pack well and heat up clean. If you want more crunch add sliced scallions at the end. If you want more heat add a pinch of cayenne. I like it with a simple green salad. You get color and comfort without clutter. This is the kind of dinner that makes a long day feel short.
Table of Contents
- 1) Key Takeaways
- 2) Easy Ground Beef And Sweet Potato Skillet Recipe
- 3) Ingredients for Ground Beef And Sweet Potato Skillet
- 4) How to Make Ground Beef And Sweet Potato Skillet
- 5) Tips for Making Ground Beef And Sweet Potato Skillet
- 6) Making Ground Beef And Sweet Potato Skillet Ahead of Time
- 7) Storing Leftover Ground Beef And Sweet Potato Skillet
- 8) Try these Beef Skillet Recipes next
- 9) Ground Beef And Sweet Potato Skillet
- 10) Nutrition
1) Key Takeaways
I am Lila from Lila Cooks at www.lilacooks.com. This skillet dinner keeps life simple and warm. The pan does the work. The table gets the praise. The first spoonful tastes bold and mellow at once. Heat rests next to sweet. Clean up stays easy.
The meat browns and builds flavor. The sweet potato softens and adds balance. Onion and pepper bring color. A small spoon of tomato paste kisses the mix and rounds the edges. Broth steams the cubes until they turn tender and bright.
Beef Skillet Recipes fit busy nights and still feel like care. You cook once and serve many. Leftovers pack well. The dish works for teens and grown ups. It welcomes greens or peas. It suits a cast iron beef skillet or your best nonstick pan.
2) Easy Ground Beef And Sweet Potato Skillet Recipe
Beef Skillet Recipes save my week. Beef Skillet Recipes also save my dishes. I toss beef in a hot pan and watch the color shift. I stir and let small bits crisp. The smell tells me the next steps. The spoon feels light in my hand.
I add onion for gentle bite and a bell pepper for snap. The pieces stay small so every fork meets beef and veg at the same time. This is a weeknight one pan dinner that respects your time and still gives a cozy plate.
When the beef tastes savory I fold in sweet potato cubes and a spoon of paste. Broth loosens the fond. Steam rises and softens the cubes. This easy ground beef skillet gives full flavor with little effort. It feels like a small win that lasts past dinner.
3) Ingredients for Ground Beef And Sweet Potato Skillet
Ground beef Pick a blend with modest fat so the pan gets sizzle and taste. I use a flat spoon to break the meat. Small crumbles brown best and give even bites.
Sweet potato Cut neat cubes so they cook in step with the rest. The edges caramelize and the centers turn soft. The sweet notes balance the beef and spice.
Yellow onion A quick sweat pulls out sweetness. The pieces melt into the sauce and add body. Keep them small for even cooking.
Red bell pepper The pepper brings color and a crisp bite. It perks up the pan and plays well with cumin and paprika.
Garlic Two small cloves go a long way. I add them once the beef browns so they perfume the skillet and stay golden not dark.
Cumin and smoked paprika These warm spices nudge the meat and sweet potato toward a deeper taste. A small shake builds big flavor fast.
Oregano and black pepper They round the mix. Oregano lifts the sauce. Pepper gives quiet heat that lingers for a breath then fades.
Kosher salt Salt wakes the dish. Add a pinch with the beef then taste near the end and add a little more if the flavor needs it.
Tomato paste A spoon binds the flavors. It gives a glossy coat and adds gentle tang. The paste makes the sauce cling to each piece.
Low sodium beef broth A small pour steams the cubes and lifts the browned bits. The liquid reduces and leaves a silky finish.
Olive oil It starts the browning and carries the spice. Use just enough to gloss the pan. The goal is sear not stew.
Fresh herbs Cilantro or parsley adds a green pop at the end. The herb wakes the dish and makes each bite feel bright and new.
Frozen peas This is optional yet handy. Peas add color and a sweet snap. Stir them in at the finish and warm them through.
Lime A quick squeeze lifts the whole pan. Acid cuts through rich notes and sets the stage for the next bite.
4) How to Make Ground Beef And Sweet Potato Skillet
Step 1. Heat a wide skillet over medium heat and add a thin gloss of oil. Swirl once. The pan should look slick not heavy. This helps browning and keeps sticking away.
Step 2. Add the ground beef. Press it in one even layer then wait a short minute. Stir and break the meat into small bits. Keep cooking until the color turns deep and edges crisp.
Step 3. Stir in onion bell pepper and garlic. Cook until the onion turns soft and the pepper gives a light snap. The skillet will smell rich and warm.
Step 4. Shake in cumin smoked paprika oregano black pepper and a pinch of salt. Stir for a minute so the spices bloom and coat the meat.
Step 5. Add tomato paste and mix until the beef looks glossy. Fold in sweet potato cubes. Pour in broth and scrape up the fond so it blends into the sauce.
Step 6. Cover and let the steam soften the cubes. Stir every few minutes. When the sweet potato yields to a fork uncover and simmer until the sauce turns thick and clings.
Step 7. Stir in peas if you like. Taste and add a small pinch of salt. Scatter herbs and give a light squeeze of lime. Carry the pan to the table and serve hot.
5) Tips for Making Ground Beef And Sweet Potato Skillet
Use a wide pan so the meat sears not steams. Space helps browning and flavor. If the pan feels crowded work in two rounds. Drain excess fat only if the pan looks greasy.
Cut even cubes so the sweet potato cooks in step with the beef. If cubes run large give them a short head start in the pan with a splash of broth. Aim for tender with light bite not mush.
Stir but not too much. Let the heat work and build color. For beef skillet dinner ideas try a pinch of cinnamon or a handful of baby spinach at the end. Both play well here and keep the pan fresh.
6) Making Ground Beef And Sweet Potato Skillet Ahead of Time
This dish holds well and tastes even better the next day. Cook as written then cool the pan on a rack. Move the food to a shallow container and chill. The sauce will thicken and cling which makes reheating easy.
For beef skillet meals that stay bright add herbs after you warm the leftovers. A fresh squeeze of lime wakes the flavors. If the mix looks tight add a spoon of broth and stir over gentle heat.
To finish a full plan for guests make the base ahead then reheat and add peas right before serving. This keeps the color bright and the bite firm. Set out a crisp salad and warm bread and dinner feels complete.
7) Storing Leftover Ground Beef And Sweet Potato Skillet
Pack leftovers in airtight containers and chill for up to three days. The flavors settle and deepen. For longer storage freeze in meal size portions for up to two months and label by date.
Reheat on the stove over low heat with a splash of broth or water. Stir so the sauce loosens and shines again. Taste and add a pinch of salt or a squeeze of lime to brighten.
This healthy beef sweet potato skillet travels well for lunch. Warm it in a small pan and top with fresh herbs. It stands alone or sits next to a small green salad.
8) Try these Beef Skillet Recipes next
9) Ground Beef And Sweet Potato Skillet
Beef Skillet Recipes Ground Beef And Sweet Potato Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef eighty five percent lean
- 2 medium sweet potatoes peeled and cut in small cubes
- 1 small yellow onion diced
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 0.5 teaspoon dried oregano
- 0.5 teaspoon kosher salt plus more to taste
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 0.75 cup low sodium beef broth
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro or parsley
- 0.5 cup frozen peas optional
- 0.5 lime for serving optional
Instructions
- Warm a large skillet over medium heat then add olive oil
- Add the ground beef and cook until browned breaking it up with a spoon about six to eight minutes then drain excess fat if needed
- Stir in onion bell pepper and garlic and cook until soft about three to four minutes
- Sprinkle in cumin smoked paprika oregano salt black pepper and red pepper flakes and cook one minute until fragrant
- Add tomato paste and stir until the beef looks glossy
- Tip in the sweet potatoes and broth then scrape up any browned bits on the pan
- Cover and cook stirring every few minutes until the potatoes are tender about ten to twelve minutes
- Uncover and let any extra liquid simmer away until the skillet looks saucy not soupy
- Fold in peas if using and heat one minute then taste and add a pinch of salt if you want
- Finish with herbs and a squeeze of lime then carry the pan to the table and serve
10) Nutrition
One cup gives a good balance of protein and carbs with modest fat. A serving lands near four hundred twenty calories with about twenty five grams of protein and six grams of fiber. Sodium stays moderate when you use low sodium broth and a light hand with salt.
The sweet potato adds beta carotene and potassium. Beef brings iron and B vitamins. Peas add more fiber and a touch of plant protein. Fresh herbs add polyphenols and a clean finish to each bite.
If you track macros this pan sits well in many plans. It pairs with a simple salad for extra greens. It leaves room for a small dessert and still keeps the day on track.
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