Looking for a hearty, one-pan meal that’s both comforting and packed with flavor? This Ground Beef and Sweet Potatoes recipe combines savory beef, tender sweet potatoes, and melty cheese with just the right blend of seasonings for a simple yet satisfying dinner. It’s easy to throw together, perfect for busy weeknights, and guaranteed to become a new favorite!

You should also try this Creamy Ground Beef Pasta, Ground Turkey with Spaghetti, and Turkey Stroganoff!

A skillet filled with a cooked mixture of ground beef, diced sweet potatoes, onions, and melted cheddar cheese on top, with a striped napkin, seasonings, and utensils nearby.

This dish with sweet potatoes and ground beef is the ultimate, easy comfort food.

The natural sweetness of the potatoes perfectly balances the savory, seasoned beef, creating a rich flavor in every bite. After all, ground beef dinner ideas are generally a winner around here!

A generous sprinkle of shredded cheese melts into the mix, adding a creamy, gooey texture to this ground beef recipe. Cheese makes everything better, doesn’t it?

Plus, it’s a great way to pack in some wholesome ingredients without sacrificing taste. Whether you serve it on its own, over rice, or with a side of greens, this easy meal is pure comfort food with minimal effort!

A white plate with a serving of ground beef, diced sweet potatoes, and melted cheese, with a black fork on the side; a striped cloth is partially visible in the corner.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

  • Quick and Easy: Made in one pan with simple ingredients, perfect for busy nights.
  • Flavor-Packed: The mix of savory beef, sweet potatoes, and melty cheese creates a delicious balance.
  • Nutritious and Satisfying: Packed with protein, fiber, and vitamins for a healthy ground beef and sweet potato skillet recipe.
  • Customizable: Easily adjust the seasonings, swap cheeses, or add veggies to fit your taste.
  • Great for Meal Prep: Stores well in the fridge and reheats beautifully for leftovers.
  • Family-Friendly: A crowd-pleasing simple recipe that even picky eaters will love!
Ingredients on a white surface, including ground beef, cubed sweet potatoes, shredded cheese, chopped onions, olive oil, spices, garlic powder, and a cup of beef broth

Ingredients Needed:

  • Olive Oil: For sautéing the sweet potatoes.
  • Sweet Potatoes: The potato of choice for this ground beef dish.
  • Onion: I prefer to use a white onion, but yellow will also work.
  • Ground Beef: Lean ground beef works best.
  • Seasonings: Garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
  • Beef Broth: This adds a richness and depth of flavor.
  • Shredded Cheese: Cheddar or mozzarella is a delicious addition.

How to Make Ground Beef and Potatoes:

  • Sauté: In a large skillet, sauté diced sweet potatoes in olive oil under tender and mostly cooked through.
  • Cook: To the same skillet, add the onion, ground beef, and seasonings and cook and crumble the beef until it’s no longer pink.
Diced sweet potatoes sautéing in a white frying pan, lightly seasoned and cooked on a white surface.
A white skillet filled with cooked ground beef, diced orange sweet potatoes, and onions, all mixed together on a white surface.
  • Add: Stir in the beef broth and let the sweet potato and meat mixture simmer for several minutes to bring the flavors together.
  • Top: Sprinkle some shredded cheddar cheese on top of the beef and potatoes and let the cheese melt. Serve immediately.

Can I Use Russet Potatoes?

Absolutely! Regular potatoes or red potatoes would work just as well in place of this sweet potato recipe.

How to Store:

Place leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.

  • Freeze: Place portions in freezer-safe containers or bags and freeze for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
  • Reheat: Warm the sweet potato hash recipe in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water or broth, or microwave in 30-second intervals until heated through.
  • Meal Prep Tip: Store individual servings for easy grab-and-go lunches during the week!
A close-up of a casserole dish filled with a cheesy mixture of ground beef, sweet potatoes, and onions. A serving spoon is scooping out the hearty, melted cheese-topped casserole.

What to Make with Ground Beef and Potatoes:

The base of this easy beef skillet dinner is perfect for so many uses! Here are a few of my favorite ways to transform this ground beef and sweet potatoes recipes:

  • Shepherd’s Pie: Use the base of this recipe as the filling and then add in some veggies and a pie crust for a unique skillet meal.
  • Sweet Potato and Beef Tacos: Serve the ground beef mixture as a taco filling for a fun spin.
  • Sweet Potato and Beef Chili: Much like this recipe, you can transform the base into chili and then add in some chili powder seasonings for a cozy dish.
  • Southwest Flavor: Add some bell peppers, green chiles, cumin, or even chipotle peppers for an added kick.

What to Serve with Potatoes and Beef:

  • Rice or Quinoa: Use brown rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice to make a ground beef and sweet potato bowl. Top with some black beans and sour cream for even more flavor.
  • Roasted Veggies: I like to pair this recipe with some green beans, roasted asparagus or broccoli for added nutrition.
  • Bread: These cheesy biscuits and garlic bread are perfect when served alongside this hearty meal.
  • Salad: A simple green salad or even a hearty pasta salad would make a delicious side dish option.

Tips and Tricks:

  • Choose the Right Pan: A large skillet or cast iron pan works best for even cooking and getting a nice sear on both the beef and sweet potatoes.
  • Cook the Potatoes First: The sweet potatoes will take the longest to cook, so sauté first and then add the ground beef directly to the potatoes. This enhances the flavor, so don’t skip this step.
  • Cut Sweet Potatoes Evenly: Dice sweet potatoes into small, uniform pieces so they cook evenly and quickly.
  • Boost the Flavors with Seasoning:
    • Savory: Garlic, onion, smoked paprika, cumin, chili powder, or Italian seasoning work great.
    • Sweet & Spicy: Try cinnamon, chipotle, or a dash of honey for contrast.
    • Umami Kick: A splash of Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, or balsamic vinegar deepens the flavor.
  • Don’t Overcook the Sweet Potatoes: They should be tender but not mushy. Check with a fork after 7-10 minutes of cooking.
  • Add a Cheesy Topping: Melted cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or pepper jack) makes this recipe with ground beef and sweet potatoes extra comforting.
A serving of ground beef and diced sweet potatoes topped with melted cheese on a white plate, with a black fork beside it. Two similar plates are visible in the background.

Looking for More Ground Beef Recipes? I’ve Got You Covered!

A close-up of a casserole dish filled with a cheesy mixture of ground beef, sweet potatoes, and onions. A serving spoon is scooping out the hearty, melted cheese-topped casserole.

Ground Beef and Sweet Potatoes

Yield: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Looking for a hearty, one-pan meal that’s both comforting and packed with flavor? This Ground Beef and Sweet Potatoes recipe combines savory beef, tender sweet potatoes, and melty cheese with just the right blend of seasonings for a simple yet satisfying dinner. It’s easy to throw together, perfect for busy weeknights, and guaranteed to become a new favorite!
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Ingredients
 

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 medium sweet potatoes, (peeled and diced into ¼-inch cubes)
  • 1 small white onion, (diced)
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, (or regular paprika)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup low-sodium beef broth
  • ¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese

Equipment

Instructions
 

  • Heat a large skillet over medium heat until hot. Add olive oil and sweet potatoes and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Stir and cook the potatoes until they are mostly tender but still a little firm, about 8-10 minutes (as they will continue to cook with the ground beef).
  • To the same skillet with the potatoes, add the diced onion, ground beef, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook and crumble ground beef until no longer pink. Drain the grease, if needed. *Tip: while you can cook the potatoes and ground beef separately, cooking them together enhances the flavors (and leads to less cleanup!)
  • Once the ground beef is cooked, add beef broth and stir well to combine. Taste the mixture and add more seasonings, if needed. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer for 6-8 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and sprinkle shredded cheese over the ground beef and potatoes. Cover the pan and let sit for 3-4 minutes, or until cheese is melty. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
  • To reheat: warm the sweet potato hash recipe in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water or broth, or microwave in 30-second intervals until heated through.
  • Meal prep tip: store individual servings for easy grab-and-go lunches or dinners during the week.
  • Be sure to dice your sweet potatoes in even cubes, roughly ¼-inch thick, as the smaller the cubes, the faster and more uniform it cooks.
  • See my tips and tricks for making Ground Beef and Sweet Potatoes above the recipe box.
Serving: 1serving, Calories: 438kcal, Carbohydrates: 38g, Protein: 31g, Fat: 18g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 9g, Trans Fat: 0.4g, Cholesterol: 84mg, Sodium: 956mg, Potassium: 1054mg, Fiber: 6g, Sugar: 8g, Vitamin A: 24509IU, Vitamin C: 5mg, Calcium: 172mg, Iron: 4mg
Cuisine: American
Course: Main Course
Author: Gayle
Did you make this recipe?Let me know! Mention @pumpkin_n_spice on Instagram or tag #pumpkin_n_spice.