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To make the Southwestern Ground Beef Sweet Potato Skillet, you will need: - 1 lb ground beef - 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced - 1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained - 1 cup corn kernels (frozen or fresh) - 1 red bell pepper, diced - 1 small onion, diced - 2 cloves garlic, minced - 1 tablespoon chili powder - 1 teaspoon cumin - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika - Salt and pepper to taste - 2 tablespoons olive oil - Chopped cilantro and lime wedges for serving You can swap some ingredients to fit your taste or what you have at home. Here are a few ideas: - Ground beef can change to ground turkey or chicken for a lighter dish. - Sweet potatoes may be replaced with regular potatoes or butternut squash. - Black beans can be substituted with kidney beans or pinto beans. - Fresh corn can be switched for canned corn if that's what you have. - If you don’t have chili powder, try using taco seasoning instead. These swaps keep the dish tasty and fun. Using fresh ingredients often gives the best flavor. However, frozen ingredients can work well, too. Frozen corn is a great option since it is sweet and tender. When using frozen black beans, make sure to thaw and drain them before adding. Fresh sweet potatoes will cook better than frozen ones because they hold their shape and flavor. In this dish, the balance of fresh and frozen can make cooking easy. Just remember to adjust cooking times if you use frozen ingredients. Enjoy your cooking adventure! Start by gathering your ingredients. You will need ground beef, sweet potatoes, black beans, corn, red bell pepper, onion, and garlic. Slice the sweet potatoes into small cubes. This helps them cook faster and mix well with the beef. Dice the red bell pepper and onion. Mince the garlic. Next, rinse and drain the black beans. If you are using frozen corn, let it thaw out a bit. This makes it easier to mix later. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the diced onion. Sauté for about 3-4 minutes until the onion turns soft and clear. Then, add the minced garlic and diced red bell pepper. Cook these for another 2-3 minutes. Now, turn the heat up to medium-high. Add the ground beef and cook it for 5-7 minutes. Break the beef apart with a spatula while it cooks. Once the beef is browned, sprinkle in the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir well to mix the spices into the meat. Add the sweet potatoes next. Stir them into the beef mixture. Pour in 1/4 cup of water. Cover the skillet to help steam the sweet potatoes. Let it cook for 10-12 minutes. Stir occasionally until the sweet potatoes are tender. When they are soft, stir in the black beans and corn. Cook for another 3-5 minutes until everything is hot. Taste your dish and adjust the seasoning if you need to. Remove from heat when done. Keep an eye on the sweet potatoes. If they take longer than 12 minutes to soften, you can add a bit more water. This helps them cook evenly. Make sure your heat is not too high. If it is, the beef might burn while the sweet potatoes stay hard. For best results, serve the skillet hot. Garnish with chopped cilantro and lime wedges for a fresh finish. You can find the full recipe above. To enhance the taste of your Southwestern Ground Beef Sweet Potato Skillet, focus on spices. I love using chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika. These spices add warmth and depth. For a fresh twist, add lime juice right before serving. The acidity brightens the dish. You can also mix in fresh herbs like cilantro. This adds a nice green touch and a burst of flavor. A common mistake is overcooking the sweet potatoes. They should be tender but not mushy. Make sure to check them often while cooking. Another mistake is not seasoning enough. Taste your dish as you cook. Adjust the salt and pepper to your liking. Also, be careful not to overcrowd the skillet. This can lead to steaming instead of browning the meat and veggies. Presentation can make your dish more appealing. Serve the skillet hot in a colorful dish. Sprinkle chopped cilantro on top for a pop of color. Add lime wedges on the side for a fresh look. This also allows guests to add their preferred amount of lime. A well-presented dish can make a simple meal feel special. Enjoy your beautiful creation! For the full recipe, check out the details above. {{image_2}} You can easily turn this dish vegetarian. Instead of ground beef, use lentils or tempeh. Both options provide great texture and protein. Cook lentils until tender before adding them to the skillet. If using tempeh, crumble it and sauté it until golden. Add the same spices for flavor. You can also toss in more beans, like kidney or pinto beans, to boost protein and fiber. If you love heat, add more chili powder or a dash of cayenne. You could also use fresh jalapeños for a spicy kick. For milder flavors, reduce the chili powder and skip the cayenne. Taste as you go to find the perfect balance for your heat level. You can swap the ground beef for other proteins too. Ground turkey or chicken works well and keeps the dish lean. If you want a richer flavor, try chorizo. You could even use shrimp or tofu for a fun twist. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time to suit the protein you choose. For the full recipe, check out the details provided above. After you enjoy your Southwestern Ground Beef Sweet Potato Skillet, store leftovers properly. Allow the dish to cool down to room temperature. Then, transfer it to an airtight container. Make sure to seal it well to keep out air. Store it in the fridge for up to three days. This way, your meal stays fresh and tasty for later. When you are ready to eat the leftovers, reheating is easy. Use a microwave-safe dish, and cover it with a lid or a damp paper towel. Heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through. If you prefer, you can reheat on the stove. Just add a splash of water and warm it over low heat. This helps keep the sweet potatoes soft. You can freeze this dish if you want to save it for later. Portion it into small, freezer-safe containers. Make sure to leave some space at the top for expansion. Label each container with the date. Frozen, it will last for up to three months. When you're ready to eat, thaw it overnight in the fridge. Then reheat it as mentioned earlier. Enjoy your flavorful meal even after a long time! It takes about 30 minutes to cook this delicious dish. You spend 10 minutes prepping and 20 minutes cooking. This means you can enjoy a hearty meal in no time. Yes, you can make this dish ahead of time. Cook it fully and let it cool. Once cool, store it in an airtight container in the fridge. It stays fresh for 3-4 days. Just reheat it before serving. You can serve this skillet with a simple green salad. Some tortilla chips also add nice crunch. You might like to try it with rice or quinoa for a filling meal. A dollop of sour cream or a sprinkle of cheese can add extra flavor, too. For a refreshing touch, serve with lime wedges on the side. For the full recipe, check out the details above! This blog post covered tasty ingredients, easy steps, and great tips for your dish. You learned about ingredient swaps, cooking methods, and storage ideas. Don't forget to try to mix flavors, avoid common mistakes, and think about different variations. With a little practice, you can create a meal everyone loves. Enjoy cooking and sharing your delicious Southwestern Ground Beef Sweet Potato Skillet!

Southwestern Ground Beef Sweet Potato Skillet

Discover a delicious Southwestern Ground Beef Sweet Potato Skillet that's perfect for a quick and satisfying dinner! This easy one-pan meal combines seasoned ground beef, sweet potatoes, black beans, and vibrant veggies for a flavorful weeknight treat. In just 30 minutes, you can whip up a wholesome dish the whole family will love. Click through to explore the full recipe and bring this savory delight to your table tonight!
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Ingredients
  

1 lb ground beef

2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced

1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained

1 cup corn kernels (frozen or fresh)

1 red bell pepper, diced

1 small onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 teaspoon cumin

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

Salt and pepper to taste

2 tablespoons olive oil

Chopped cilantro and lime wedges for serving

Instructions
 

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for about 3-4 minutes until they are translucent.

    Add the minced garlic and diced red bell pepper to the skillet. Sauté for an additional 2-3 minutes until the pepper softens.

      Increase the heat to medium-high, and add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spatula (approximately 5-7 minutes).

        Sprinkle the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper over the beef mixture. Stir to combine thoroughly.

          Add the diced sweet potatoes to the skillet. Stir well to combine with the beef mixture.

            Pour in about 1/4 cup of water to help steam the sweet potatoes. Cover the skillet and cook for about 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sweet potatoes are tender.

              Once the sweet potatoes are fork-tender, stir in the black beans and corn. Cook for an additional 3-5 minutes until heated through.

                Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Remove from heat.

                  Prep Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes | Servings: 4

                    - Presentation Tips: Serve the skillet hot, garnished with chopped cilantro and lime wedges on the side for a fresh touch.