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Cheesy Southwest Ground Beef Sweet Potato Skillet Bake

Cheesy Southwest Ground Beef Sweet Potato Skillet Bake - featured image
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This easy one-pan dinner combines smoky Southwest spices, juicy ground beef, tender sweet potatoes, and a generous layer of gooey cheese for a comforting, crowd-pleasing meal. Perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or cozy gatherings, it’s hearty, flavorful, and ready in under 45 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (85% lean recommended)
  • 1 large sweet potato (about 12 oz), peeled and diced into 1/2-inch cubes
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed (optional)
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
  • 1 cup frozen corn (or fresh if in season)
  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 2 tbsp olive oil (divided, for sautéing)
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack or pepper jack cheese
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro (optional, for garnish)
  • 1 medium avocado, sliced (optional, for garnish)
  • Greek yogurt or sour cream (optional, for serving)
  • Lime wedges (optional, for serving)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Prep all ingredients before starting.
  2. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook for 4-5 minutes until no pink remains. Drain excess fat if needed.
  3. Add remaining 1 tbsp olive oil. Stir in onion and garlic, cooking for 2 minutes until fragrant.
  4. Add bell pepper and sweet potato cubes. Cook, stirring often, for 5-7 minutes until veggies start to soften. If sweet potatoes stick, lower heat or add a splash of water.
  5. Sprinkle in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to coat everything and let spices toast for about 1 minute.
  6. Add diced tomatoes, corn, and black beans. Stir to combine. Simmer for 5-8 minutes over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until sweet potatoes are nearly fork-tender. If still firm, cover and cook 5 more minutes.
  7. Flatten the mixture into an even layer. Sprinkle Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
  8. Transfer skillet to oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and golden brown. For a crispy cheese crust, broil for 1-2 minutes at the end, watching closely.
  9. Let the skillet cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh cilantro, avocado slices, Greek yogurt or sour cream, and a squeeze of lime before serving.

Notes

For extra creaminess, stir in 2 tbsp cream cheese before adding shredded cheese. If sweet potatoes aren’t soft after baking, cover skillet with foil and bake 5 more minutes. Use ground turkey for a lighter option, or swap in regular potatoes or cauliflower for variations. Store leftovers in airtight containers for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: ground beef, sweet potato, skillet, one pan, cheesy, southwest, easy dinner, comfort food, casserole, gluten-free

Find it online: https://bitematrix.com/cheesy-southwest-ground-beef-sweet-potato-skillet-bake-easy-one-pan-dinner/