Description
This Ground Beef Sweet Potato Skillet is a hearty and flavorful one-pan meal combining seasoned ground beef with tender sweet potatoes, sautéed onions, garlic, and fresh spinach. Enhanced with smoked paprika, cumin, and chili powder, this dish offers a perfect balance of smoky, spicy, and savory flavors, ideal for a wholesome weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 medium-sized sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 cup fresh spinach leaves
Spices and Oil
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Optional Garnish
- Avocado slices
- Chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Heat oil: Warm 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat to prepare for sautéing.
- Sauté aromatics: Add diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet and cook until the onion becomes translucent, about 3 minutes, releasing delicious flavors.
- Cook ground beef: Increase heat to medium-high and add the ground beef, breaking it into small pieces as it browns thoroughly.
- Drain fat: Remove any excess fat from the skillet to keep the dish from becoming greasy.
- Remove beef: Transfer the cooked ground beef mixture out of the skillet and set aside.
- Prepare sweet potatoes: Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet.
- Cook sweet potatoes: Add diced sweet potatoes and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften, approximately 10 minutes.
- Add bell pepper: Incorporate the chopped red bell pepper with the sweet potatoes and continue cooking for an additional 3 to 4 minutes until the pepper softens.
- Combine beef: Return the cooked ground beef to the skillet with the vegetables.
- Season: Sprinkle smoked paprika, ground cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper over the skillet and stir thoroughly to blend all flavors.
- Add spinach: Reduce heat to low and fold in fresh spinach leaves; cook for 1 to 2 minutes until the spinach wilts.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from heat, garnish with avocado slices and chopped fresh cilantro if desired, then serve hot for a satisfying meal.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner protein option.
- Adjust the chili powder amount according to your spice preference.
- For a gluten-free dish, check that all spices and ingredients are certified gluten-free.
- Adding a squeeze of lime before serving can enhance the flavors.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
