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Tex-Mex Sweet Potato & Ground Beef Skillet – Easy One Pan Dinner with Avocado

Tex-Mex Sweet Potato and Ground Beef Skillet - featured image
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A hearty, colorful one-pan Tex-Mex dinner featuring sweet potatoes, ground beef, black beans, and bold spices, finished with creamy avocado. Perfect for busy weeknights, this skillet meal is family-friendly, naturally gluten-free, and packed with flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450g) ground beef (85% lean recommended)
  • 2 medium sweet potatoes (about 1.5 lbs / 680g), peeled and diced into 1/2-inch cubes
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 1 large red bell pepper, diced (or orange/yellow)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, with juices
  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • 2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika (or regular paprika)
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp kosher salt (or to taste)
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
  • 1 large ripe avocado, sliced or diced
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
  • Lime wedges, for serving
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican blend, optional)
  • Sour cream or Greek yogurt, for serving (optional)

Instructions

  1. Peel and dice sweet potatoes into 1/2-inch cubes. Dice onion and bell pepper, mince garlic, and rinse and drain black beans. Open diced tomatoes.
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and break up with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned and no longer pink, about 5-6 minutes. Drain excess fat, leaving a little for flavor.
  3. Add diced onion and bell pepper to the skillet. Sauté, stirring often, until softened, about 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
  4. Add cubed sweet potatoes, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir well to coat.
  5. Pour in diced tomatoes (with juices) and add black beans. Stir to combine. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sweet potatoes are fork-tender and sauce has thickened.
  6. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Scatter shredded cheese over the top, if using, and let melt for a minute. Remove from heat.
  7. Top with sliced avocado, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime. Serve hot, optionally with sour cream or Greek yogurt.

Notes

Cut sweet potatoes evenly for best texture. Brown the beef well for extra flavor. Cover while simmering to cook sweet potatoes faster. Add a splash of water or broth if the skillet gets dry. For a vegetarian version, use extra beans or meatless crumbles. Cheese and sour cream are optional for dairy-free diets. Avocado is best added just before serving to prevent browning.

Nutrition

Keywords: tex-mex, sweet potato, ground beef, skillet, one pan, avocado, easy dinner, gluten-free, family-friendly, meal prep, black beans, healthy, comfort food

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