I cook this skillet when I want dinner that tastes bold and feels light. Ground beef healthy recipes guide my week, and this one stays on repeat. The pan warms, the beef sizzles, sweet potato cubes turn tender, and the kitchen smells like a good plan. We eat with spoons and smiles. I lean on ground beef skillet recipes when life runs fast. From my notebook of best ground beef recipes, this one hits every note. It stacks color and comfort. It gives me balance without fuss. Friends ask for seconds, which I pretend to mind, then I pass the spoon anyway. I wrote these steps to keep stress low. I like potato and ground beef recipes that use one pan and steady heat. I keep a short spice list that still sings. Corn pops sweet, beans give body, lime wakes the whole thing up. If you want recipes for ground beef that fit weeknights, this works. Among potatoes and ground beef recipes, this one cleans the plate. For Ground Beef Recipes For Dinner that feel bright, start here.
Table of Contents
- 1) Key Takeaways
- 2) Easy Southwest Ground Beef Sweet Potato Skillet Recipe
- 3) Ingredients for Southwest Ground Beef Sweet Potato Skillet
- 4) How to Make Southwest Ground Beef Sweet Potato Skillet
- 5) Tips for Making Southwest Ground Beef Sweet Potato Skillet
- 6) Making Southwest Ground Beef Sweet Potato Skillet Ahead of Time
- 7) Storing Leftover Southwest Ground Beef Sweet Potato Skillet
- 8) Try these Main Course next!
- 9) Southwest Ground Beef Sweet Potato Skillet
- 10) Nutrition
1) Key Takeaways
I cook for real life and I write for real people. This skillet hits both marks. It gives color from sweet potato and bell pepper. It brings mellow heat from chili powder. It keeps cleanup easy. On busy nights I lean on ground beef healthy recipes and this one leads the pack. I share it on Lila Cooks where I sign off as Lila and I stand by it.
You get beef that stays juicy. You get sweet potato that turns tender with steam. You get a finish of lime that wakes the pan. If you crave healthy ground beef dinners that do not feel like homework you will like this one.
The method stays simple. One pan. Steady heat. Short list. The flavor reads bold. The mood stays calm. I call this a keeper and I think you will too.
2) Easy Southwest Ground Beef Sweet Potato Skillet Recipe
We meet at the stove and we keep things friendly. I start with a warm pan and a small pour of oil. I add beef and let it sizzle. In these ground beef healthy recipes I want speed and I want balance. I say those words twice in my head and I smile. Ground beef healthy recipes work best when each step stays close to the next. That rhythm helps dinner land fast and hot.
Sweet potato cubes slide in with onion and bell pepper. The edges soften. The center stays firm then turns tender. Spices join and bloom. The room smells warm and a little smoky. I stir and I scrape and I let the pan do the work. A splash of broth makes steam that finishes the bite.
I fold in corn and black beans. I add lime. I shower cilantro. I set the skillet on a trivet and we bring spoons. For a skillet dinner that feels bright this plate shows up happy. It checks the box for easy ground beef and sweet potato skillet and it fits our weeknight ground beef skillet recipe plan on Lila Cooks.
3) Ingredients for Southwest Ground Beef Sweet Potato Skillet
Olive oil a light coat helps browning and keeps the beef from sticking. I stick with a small spoon so the pan reads savory not greasy.
Lean ground beef one pound gives rich flavor and good protein. The texture turns crumbled and tender when you stir with care.
Sweet potato one medium cut into small cubes so it cooks through on the stove. The natural sugar turns deep and brings balance to the spice.
Yellow onion one small diced fine so it softens fast and melts into the sauce.
Red bell pepper one diced for color and a gentle bite. It stays crisp then settles into tender.
Garlic two cloves minced for a warm base. Add it after the onion softens so it does not scorch.
Chili powder one spoon for mellow heat and a round flavor. The spice pairs well with sweet potato.
Cumin one spoon brings earth and a toasty note that ties the skillet together.
Smoked paprika one spoon gives a hint of smoke without a grill. It rounds the edges of the sauce.
Kosher salt a steady pinch layers flavor from the start. Taste at the end and add more if you need it.
Black pepper a small grind wakes the spices and sharpens each bite.
Black beans one can drained and rinsed for body and fiber. They hold shape and take on spice.
Corn kernels one cup fresh or frozen. The pop gives contrast and a little sweetness.
Low sodium beef broth a small splash builds steam and makes a glossy sauce.
Lime wedges for bright acid at the finish. The juice lifts every forkful.
Cilantro chopped for a fresh note. Add at the end so the color stays bright.
Cheddar shredded and optional. A light sprinkle melts into little pockets of comfort.
4) How to Make Southwest Ground Beef Sweet Potato Skillet
Step 1 warm a large skillet over medium heat then add oil. Add beef and break it into small pieces. Cook until the pink fades then spoon off extra fat.
Step 2 stir in onion bell pepper and sweet potato. Cook and stir until the edges of the sweet potato soften and the onion turns clear.
Step 3 add garlic chili powder cumin paprika salt and pepper. Stir until the beef looks coated and the spices smell toasty. This keeps the flavor bold and even.
Step 4 pour in broth. Cover the pan for a short steam. Uncover and stir now and then until the sweet potato turns tender and a light sauce forms.
Step 5 fold in black beans and corn. Cook until hot. Squeeze lime over the pan then sprinkle cilantro and a little cheddar if you like.
Step 6 taste and adjust salt. Serve straight from the skillet. This healthy one pan ground beef dinner lands well on any table.
5) Tips for Making Southwest Ground Beef Sweet Potato Skillet
Cut the sweet potato small so it cooks through on the stove. Keep the pieces close in size and the texture will stay even. Stir often near the end so the sauce coats every bite and nothing sticks.
Bloom the spices in the hot fat for a short minute. That step unlocks aroma without extra steps. For better for you ground beef ideas pick lean beef and keep the oil light. A splash of broth builds body without cream.
Want more heat. Add a pinch of chipotle powder. Want more gloss. Add a small handful of cheddar at the end. Looking for a one pan note for your recipes card. Write skillet dinner right there and smile.
6) Making Southwest Ground Beef Sweet Potato Skillet Ahead of Time
I cook the base one day then I rewarm it the next. The flavors settle and the sweet potato softens. For healthy ground beef dinners that suit a busy week this plan works. Keep the lime and cilantro for the day you serve so the finish stays bright.
If you pack lunches split the skillet into four boxes. Add a wedge of lime to each box. Add cilantro in a small cup. The texture holds and the color keeps.
For guests I make the skillet before they arrive. I hold it warm with a lid. I set bowls cheese avocado and hot sauce on the counter. The line moves fast and the mood stays easy.
7) Storing Leftover Southwest Ground Beef Sweet Potato Skillet
Cool leftovers then move them into airtight containers. The mix keeps in the fridge for three days. Rewarm in a skillet with a small splash of water so the sauce loosens and shines. For light ground beef meals that still taste fresh finish with lime again.
Freezing works too. Pack flat in bags for space savings. Thaw in the fridge. Warm on the stove and stir in a spoon of broth to refresh the sauce.
Set toppings on the table for the second round. Fresh cilantro sliced scallions diced tomato and a spoon of yogurt all work. The bowl reads new and the bowls come back empty.
8) Try these Main Course next!
9) Southwest Ground Beef Sweet Potato Skillet
Ground Beef Healthy Recipes Southwest Beef And Sweet Potato Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 medium sweet potato cut in small cubes
- 1 small yellow onion diced
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 can black beans drained and rinsed 15 ounces
- 1 cup corn kernels fresh or frozen
- 1/2 cup low sodium beef broth or water
- 1 lime cut in wedges
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar optional
Instructions
- Warm a large skillet over medium heat and add olive oil.
- Add ground beef and break it into small pieces. Cook until no pink shows. Spoon off extra fat.
- Stir in onion, bell pepper, and sweet potato. Cook and stir until the sweet potato softens at the edges.
- Add garlic, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir until the beef looks coated and the spices smell toasty.
- Pour in broth. Cover the pan and let the steam finish the sweet potato. Uncover and stir now and then.
- Fold in black beans and corn. Cook until hot and the liquid reduces to a glossy sauce.
- Squeeze lime over the pan. Sprinkle cilantro and cheese if you like.
- Taste and adjust salt. Serve warm right from the pan.
10) Nutrition
Serving Size one bowl. Calories four hundred ten. Sugar eight grams. Sodium six hundred forty milligrams. Fat sixteen grams. Saturated Fat six grams. Carbohydrates forty five grams. Fiber eight grams. Protein twenty eight grams. Cholesterol seventy milligrams.
Find more on Lila Cooks with Lila at the helm and read fresh posts at https://www.lilacooks.com. For recipes for ground beef that fit busy nights this site stays in my bookmarks. It covers potatoes and ground beef recipes and the best ground beef recipes in one calm space.
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