This Creamy Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet is a one-pan meal filled with ground beef, sweet potatoes, red bell peppers, corn, and tomatoes. The smoky taco seasoning and creamy cheese make for a flavorful, satisfying dinner. This sweet potato and ground beef is packed with flavor but low on effort and clean-up.
Looking for more skillet recipes?
Check out easy shepherd's pie, fried cabbage and sausage skillet, and crustless skillet pizza.
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💡Recipe Overview
- Prep and Cook Time: 15 minutes to prep and 25 minutes to cook
- Cooking Method: Stove-top
- Dietary Info: Primal, GAPS, Ancestral diet
- Tools Needed: large skillet
- Skill Level: Easy
What is an ancestral diet? Read my post on what nourishing foods are based on the traditional dietary principles of the Weston A. Price Foundation.
The Skillet Meal That's Got it All
Alright, let's talk about sweet potatoes. I didn't grow up eating them - shocker, I know - but now they're basically my best friend in the kitchen.
And here's the thing: this Southwest Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet is the perfect way to sneak them in without feeling like you're eating a Thanksgiving side dish for dinner. Looking at you, scalloped sweet potatoes.
Plus, I've got ground organ meats (hellllo, beef liver!) in here, and trust me, you won't even notice. The flavors all come together like a beautiful symphony - smoky, savory, a little spicy - and that creamy, cheesy goodness?
Chef's kiss. 🤌
Seriously, this dish hits every note, and it's one of those meals that makes you feel like you've got your life together, even if you don't have your life together (I'm right there with you!).
Ingredients for Ground Beef and Sweet Potatoes
- Ground meat: I like to use 85/15 ground beef for the best balance of flavor and moisture. I prefer not to drain the excess fat (because fat = flavor) and if you use a leaner ground meat like ground turkey or bison, I recommend adding a little butter for extra flavor.
- Vegetables: The veggies in this skillet meal do a lot of heavy lifting - sweet potatoes bring natural sweetness and make it hearty, while red onion and garlic add depth. The red bell pepper adds a mild crunch and frozen corn lends a hint of sweetness that pairs well with the smoky flavors.
- Cheeses: The cream cheese melts down into a silky, tangy sauce and coats the veggies and meat while shredded cheddar adds a sharp, melty finish on top.
- Flavorings: The remainder of the ingredients are simple but serve two purposes: they add moisture and flavor. The canned diced tomatoes and green chiles add a tangy flavor with just a hint of heat. And the taco seasoning brings a smoky, Southwest taste without being too spicy. I like using my mild taco seasoning for this purpose.
- Additional liquid: A secret ingredient that may or may not be needed is bone broth. You won't really know until you start making the skillet - if it's a little dry and needs some liquid for the simmering step, add in a ¼ - ½ cup. If you have all the flavor and liquid you need from the tomatoes and the veggies, you're good. I like to use a whole chicken broth for this.
Substitutions and Variations
- Make it spicy - Add crushed red pepper flakes or roasted jalapeno peppers for some extra heat or a splash or two of the brine from my fermented jalapenos.
- Vegetable add-ins - Feel free to mix in other veggies like zucchini, spinach, or mushrooms. Just be sure to cook them a bit longer to prevent the skillet from getting too watery.
Make it Ancestral
Whenever I cook with ground meats, I almost always toss in some organ meats because all that flavor totally hides any gaminess. If I've really have my act together, I usually have a pound of my homemade ancestral beef blend on hand (I use a 75/25 ratio) - because who wants to pay $14 per pound when I can do it myself?
How to Make Ground Beef and Sweet Potatoes
The complete printable recipe is below in the recipe card for your convenience. Follow these simple step-by-step instructions for the best results.
Step 1. Sauté
Heat some avocado oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced sweet potatoes and cook for several minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
Step 2. Cook
In the same skillet, add chopped red onion and cook until softened and translucent.
Step 3. Season
Add ground beef and cook, breaking it apart, until browned. Stir in minced garlic and taco seasoning, and cook briefly until fragrant.
Step 4. Simmer
Add diced bell pepper, corn, canned tomatoes with their liquid, green chiles, bone broth (if needed), and the cooked sweet potatoes back to the skillet. Stir well, cover, and let simmer until the sweet potatoes are fully tender.
Step 5. Melt
Reduce heat to low and stir in cubed cream cheese. Continue stirring until fully melted and incorporated.
Step 6. Garnish
Top with shredded cheddar cheese and let it melt for a minute or two. Garnish with fresh toppings like cilantro, avocado slices, and a squeeze of lime.
Helpful Tips
- No taco seasoning on hand? Try swapping 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning with 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon cumin, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon oregano, 1 teaspoon salt or to taste and ¼ teaspoon black pepper.
- Cut sweet potatoes evenly. For uniform cooking, make sure the sweet potatoes are cut into similar size.
- Use softened cream cheese. It melts into the skillet more smoothly. Let it hang out at room temperature while you prep. It also helps to cube it before adding and stir frequently over low heat to melt evenly.
Troubleshooting
- Sweet potatoes are undercooked? The pieces were likely cut too large or not sautéed long enough at the start. Dice them into ½-inch or smaller cubes and make sure they get a good head start in the skillet (at medium-high heat). You don't want them fully cooked at this stage but they should have a nice seared crust to them to lock in flavor.
Product Highlight!
Cast Iron Skillet
My large cast iron skillet is my ride or die. It retains heat so well and is perfect for making this meal.
💭Meal Prep Suggestion!
This ground beef and sweet potatoes are perfect for meal prep. Double the recipe and portion it into individual servings for easy meal prep. Store in the fridge for up to 4 days or freezer for up to 3 months. Reheat with a splash of broth or water for a quick meal.
Serving Suggestions
This ground beef and sweet potatoes is a complete meal in one. It has a perfect balance of protein from the beef, fiber and nutrients from the sweet potatoes and veggies, plus healthy carbs to keep you satisfied. It's an all-in-one, hearty dish that checks all the boxes for a nourishing meal.
Just serve it with a dollop of homemade sour cream, sliced avocados, and fresh cilantro.
But if you wanted to round it out a little more, here are some options to serve alongside the sweet potato and ground beef meal:
Side dish: Serve this with bone broth rice or Instant Pot millet to soak up the flavorful sauce.
Fresh salads: Pair with a light romaine salad or a house salad.
Condiments: Add some chunky guacamole for extra creaminess or serve with homemade tortilla chips.
Frequently Asked Questions
Transfer the leftovers to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. These glass snap containers are perfect for leftovers. To reheat, warm in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of broth or water. To freeze, I recommend freezing in individual portions in airtight containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
While fresh sweet potatoes work best, you can use frozen diced sweet potatoes and frozen veggies like onions and bell peppers. I use frozen corn in this skillet with no problem, but that's a small amount of moisture that gets simmered down. If you use all frozen veggies, I recommend draining any excess moisture after thawing to avoid a watery skillet.
To keep the sweet potatoes from getting mushy, make sure they are diced into ½-inch cubes, and give them a good sear in the pan at the beginning. This locks in flavor and helps them hold their shape during the simmering process.
Looking for more ground beef recipes? Here are some ideas:
Did you make this ground beef and sweet potatoes? Please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ recipe rating in the recipe card below and leave a review in the comments. Thank you!💚
Printable Recipe
Southwest Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- 2 medium sweet potatoes peeled and diced
- 1 small red onion diced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning see notes for alternative
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- 1 cup corn kernels
- 1 15 oz can diced tomatoes with liquid
- 1 4 oz can diced green chiles
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened and cubed
- ½ cup bone broth optional
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- toppings like fresh cilantro, avocado, and lime
Instructions
- Heat 2 tablespoons avocado oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 2 medium sweet potatoes diced and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the 1 small red onion and cook until softened and translucent. Add the 1 pound ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until the beef is browned.
- Stir in 2 garlic cloves and 2 tablespoons taco seasoning and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add 1 red bell pepper, diced, 1 cup corn kernels, 1 15 oz can diced tomatoes with liquid, and, 1 4 oz can diced green chiles, ½ cup bone broth (optional) and the sweet potatoes back to the skillet. Stir well and cover. Let simmer for 10-15 minutes until the sweet potatoes are fully tender.
- Reduce heat to low and stir in the cubed 4 ounces cream cheese. Continue stirring until fully melted and incorporated into the skillet.
- Top with ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese on top and let it melt for 1-2 minutes. Garnish with fresh toppings like fresh cilantro, avocado, and lime .
Notes
- No taco seasoning on hand? Try swapping 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning with 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon cumin, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon oregano, 1 teaspoon salt or to taste and ¼ teaspoon black pepper.
- Cut sweet potatoes evenly. For uniform cooking, make sure the sweet potatoes are cut into similar size.
- Use softened cream cheese. It melts into the skillet more smoothly. Let it hang out at room temperature while you prep. It also helps to cube it before adding and stir frequently over low heat to melt evenly.
- Add broth last. You may not need to add this additional liquid, depending on the veggies and other ingredients because you don't want it too watery.
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