If you’re looking for a weeknight dinner that’s nutritious, hearty, and easy to make, a ground beef sweet potato recipe is a perfect choice. This one-pan skillet meal balances protein, complex carbs, fiber, and essential vitamins — all in under 40 minutes.
Whether you’re meal prepping, cooking for family, or impressing dinner guests, this recipe delivers bold flavors with minimal effort. Let’s dive into everything you need to know: from selecting the best ingredients to cooking techniques, storage, and customization tips.
Why Try Ground Beef with Sweet Potatoes?
- Nutritionally balanced: Ground beef offers protein, iron, and B vitamins, while sweet potatoes provide complex carbohydrates, vitamin A, and antioxidants.
- One-pan convenience: Less cleanup, faster cooking, and easy portioning.
- Flavor versatility: Works with smoky spices, fresh herbs, cheese, or even a squeeze of lime.
- Diet-friendly: Can be adapted to paleo, gluten-free, low-carb, or high-protein lifestyles.
Selecting the Best Ingredients
🥩 Ground Beef
- Best ratio: 85% lean / 15% fat — juicy without being greasy.
- Grass-fed option: Adds richer flavor and higher omega-3 content.
- Storage tip: Buy fresh, bright red beef with visible marbling for maximum flavor.
🍠 Sweet Potatoes
- Choose medium-sized sweet potatoes for better texture and natural sweetness.
- Look for firm, blemish-free, vibrant orange skin varieties (they’re richer in beta-carotene).
- Cut into even cubes for uniform cooking.
🌿 Supporting Ingredients
- Aromatics: onion + garlic
- Vegetables: poblano pepper, corn, or bell peppers
- Spices: cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, cayenne (optional)
- Fresh herbs: parsley or cilantro for garnish
- Optional toppings: shredded cheese, avocado, Greek yogurt, or sour cream
Recipe: Ground Beef Sweet Potato Skillet
Course: Main | Cuisine: American | Servings: 4 | Calories per serving: ~350 kcal
Prep Time: 10 min | Cook Time: 30 min | Total Time: 40 min
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (85/15)
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled & diced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 poblano pepper, diced (or bell pepper)
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp cumin
- ½ tsp chili powder
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley or cilantro, for garnish
- 1 cup shredded cheese (optional)
- Optional toppings: Greek yogurt, avocado, or sour cream
Instructions
1. Cook the Sweet Potatoes
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Toss diced sweet potatoes in olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Roast 25–30 minutes until tender and caramelized (crispy edges = best texture).
2. Prepare the Ground Beef
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add olive oil, then sauté onion & garlic for 3 minutes until softened.
- Add ground beef, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook until browned.
- Season with paprika, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Combine & Heat Through
- Stir roasted sweet potatoes, corn, and poblano pepper into the skillet.
- Mix well and cook another 3–4 minutes so flavors meld.
- (Optional) Sprinkle cheese on top and cover until melted.
4. Garnish & Serve
- Top with fresh parsley or cilantro.
- Add Greek yogurt, sour cream, or sliced avocado for creaminess.
Nutritional Breakdown (Per Serving)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Protein: 20g
- Fat: 15g (5g saturated, 10g unsaturated)
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 6g
- Sugars: 10g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Vitamin A: 130% DV
- Vitamin C: 20% DV
- Iron: 15% DV
Tip: Roasting sweet potatoes boosts antioxidant activity, making nutrients more bioavailable.
Variations & Customization
- Low-carb: Swap half the sweet potatoes for cauliflower or zucchini.
- Paleo/Whole30: Skip the cheese, add avocado or guacamole.
- High-protein: Add black beans, quinoa, or extra lean beef.
- Southwestern twist: Add diced tomatoes, corn, and lime juice.
- Spicy kick: Use chipotle powder or fresh jalapeños.
Meal Prep, Storage & Reheating
- Fridge: Store in airtight containers up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze portions up to 2 months.
- Reheat:
- Skillet (best texture) — medium heat, 5–6 min
- Oven — 350°F, 10–12 min
- Microwave — 2–3 min (stir halfway)
Pro tip: If freezing, skip cheese until reheating to prevent texture issues.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Cutting sweet potatoes unevenly → results in under/overcooked chunks.
❌ Using ultra-lean beef (e.g., 93/7) → makes the dish dry.
❌ Adding cheese too early → it burns before the potatoes finish cooking.
❌ Skipping spice balance → seasoning in layers = deeper flavor.
Perfect Pairings
- Fresh side salad with lemon vinaigrette
- Garlic roasted green beans
- Cornbread or tortillas on the side
- Beverage: sparkling water with lime or a light red wine
FAQs
1. Is this recipe healthy?
Yes! It’s naturally gluten-free, nutrient-dense, and balanced in protein, carbs, and healthy fats.
2. Can I substitute the beef?
Yes — ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles all work.
3. Can I make this ahead?
Definitely. It’s one of the best recipes for meal prep since flavors deepen overnight.
4. Should I roast or steam sweet potatoes?
Roasting is best for caramelization, but steaming works if you want softer texture with less oil.
Final Thoughts
This Ground Beef Sweet Potato Skillet is more than a recipe — it’s a nutritious, adaptable, and family-friendly meal that can be tailored to any diet or occasion. With just one pan (plus oven-roasted potatoes), you’ll have a dinner that’s as satisfying as it is wholesome.
Try it tonight, and you might just add it to your weekly rotation!