If you’re staring down a sink full of dishes every night, this ground beef sweet potato bowl is the fix.
Everything cooks in one skillet, from the sweet potato to the beef, so cleanup is basically just wiping down a pan and a cutting board.
It’s also a great way to use up sweet potatoes while they’re cheap and everywhere at the store this time of year.
In about 35 minutes you’ll have a hearty, protein-packed dinner that spoons over rice, tucks into a bowl on its own, or gets dressed up with whatever toppings you have on hand. Below you’ll find the base recipe plus a few easy ways to switch it up through the week.
Ground Beef Sweet Potato Bowl (Easy One-Pan Dinner)
One skillet, one pan to wash, and dinner's done in under 30 minutes. Savory ground beef and sweet potato come together with warm spices for a hearty, slightly sweet meal that's endlessly customizable with whatever toppings you have on hand.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and diced into 1/2-inch cubes
- 1/2 small onion, diced
- 1 pound ground beef (85/15)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup water or beef broth
- 2 cups cooked rice, for serving
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
- Toppings: sliced avocado, chopped green onion, hot sauce
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sweet potato and a pinch of salt, cover, and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring every couple of minutes, until the edges are fork-tender.
- Push the sweet potato to one side of the skillet. Add the onion and ground beef to the other side. Break up the beef with a spatula and cook for 6 to 7 minutes, until browned and no longer pink.
- Stir the sweet potato and beef together. Add the garlic, smoked paprika, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Stir until everything is coated and fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Pour in the water or broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Simmer uncovered for 3 to 4 minutes, until the sweet potato is fully tender and any raw spots are gone.
- Taste and adjust the salt and pepper.
- Serve over rice, and top with cheese and whatever toppings you like.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 817Total Fat: 45gSaturated Fat: 20gUnsaturated Fat: 25gCholesterol: 165mgSodium: 627mgCarbohydrates: 47gFiber: 3gSugar: 3gProtein: 50g
All nutritional values provided on this website (including calories, macros, and nutrient percentages) are estimates intended for informational and educational purposes only. These values are calculated using online recipe nutrition databases and software. Because individual cooking methods, product brands, ingredient substitutions, and exact portion sizes vary, the actual nutritional content of your meal may differ from the estimates shown here.
Ingredient Swaps
Ground turkey instead of beef: Works well here and keeps the dish a little lighter. Cook it the same way; watch that it doesn’t dry out since turkey has less fat.
Cauliflower rice instead of regular rice: An easy swap to keep the whole bowl lower in carbs. Warm it in the microwave while the beef and sweet potato finish cooking.
Dairy-free version: Skip the cheese or use a dairy-free shredded cheese, then finish with extra avocado for creaminess.
Variations
Southwest bowl: Stir in a drained can of black beans and a cup of corn during step 4, and top with a squeeze of lime.
Taco-style bowl: Swap the individual spices for 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning and serve in warmed tortillas instead of over rice.
Hot honey bowl: Skip the cheese and finish the bowl with a drizzle of hot honey and a squeeze of lime right before serving. It sounds unusual, but the sweet-spicy combo with the sweet potato works.
Storage and Meal Prep Tips
This holds up well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days, making it easy to portion out for lunches. Keep the rice separate if you want the beef mixture to stay a little firmer when you reheat it. It also freezes well for up to 3 months — thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating on the stove or in the microwave.
FAQ
Can I meal prep this ground beef sweet potato bowl in advance?
Yes. Cook the full batch, then divide it into containers with rice for grab-and-go lunches or dinners through the week. It keeps in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Do I need to peel the sweet potato?
It’s easier to dice evenly if you peel it first, but you can leave the skin on if you scrub it well. Just know it may need a minute or two longer to get tender.
How do I keep the sweet potato from turning mushy?
Cut the cubes small and even, about 1/2 inch, and don’t skip covering the pan in step 1. That traps steam and cooks the potato through without constantly stirring or simmering it for too long.
Can I use a different protein?
Ground turkey or ground chicken both work in place of beef. You can also use plant-based crumbles for a meatless version — adjust the cook time down since they heat through faster.
Is this recipe spicy?
Not as written. The chili powder and smoked paprika add warmth and color more than heat. Add a pinch of cayenne or a few dashes of hot sauce for more kick.
What should I serve with this bowl?
Rice is the easiest base, but it’s also good over quinoa, in a tortilla, or on its own with a side of steamed green beans if you want to keep things lighter.
Can I double this recipe for a bigger family?
Yes, use a larger skillet so the sweet potato has room to cook evenly, and you may need a couple extra minutes on the browning step.
Conclusion
This ground beef sweet potato bowl is exactly the kind of dinner that earns a spot in the regular rotation: one skillet, minimal cleanup, and a good way to put seasonal sweet potatoes to use before they’re out of season.
Try the base recipe first, then keep the taco or hot honey variation in your back pocket for the next time you want to switch things up without any extra dishes.
If you liked this one, check out our High-Protein Buffalo Chicken Meal Prep Bowls for another easy make-ahead option.
