Spoon Simple
Spicy Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet with Black Beans
A flavorful and hearty one-skillet meal featuring seasoned ground beef, tender cubes of sweet potato, and protein-rich black beans, all simmered in a subtly spiced tomato base. Perfect for a quick, balanced dinner.
Prep 15 min
Cook 30 min
Total 45 min
Serves 4
Ingredients
Step 1 — For the Skillet
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 large sweet potato (about 1.5 lbs), peeled and diced into 1/2-inch cubes
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1/2 cup beef broth
Step 2 — For Garnish (Optional)
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Chopped cilantro
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt
Instructions
- 1
Brown Beef
Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until browned. Drain off most of the excess fat.
- 2
Sauté Aromatics and Sweet Potato
Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more. Add the diced sweet potato, chili powder, cumin, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and black pepper. Stir well to coat.
- 3
Simmer
Add the rinsed black beans, diced tomatoes (undrained), and beef broth to the skillet. Stir everything together. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are tender, stirring occasionally.
- 4
Adjust Seasoning
Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. If the mixture is too thick, add a splash more broth or water.
- 5
Serve
Serve hot, garnished with optional toppings like shredded cheese, cilantro, or sour cream/Greek yogurt.
Nutrition per serving: 520 cal · 35g protein · 45g carbs · 22g fat · 10g fiber
For informational purposes only. Not medical or dietary advice. Verify ingredients for allergens, cooking times, and safe internal temperatures before serving.
