This Cheesy Tex-Mex Ground Beef Sweet Potato Skillet brings bold flavors and wholesome ingredients together in one pan for a dinner that’s ready in just 40 minutes. I’ve been making skillet dinners like this for decades, and there’s something magical about how everything comes together – the sweet potatoes soften perfectly, the spices bloom, and that melted cheese on top creates the kind of comfort that makes everyone come back for seconds
Growing up in the Midwest, Sunday dinners at Grandma’s farm were always about hearty, stick-to-your-ribs meals that filled the table and warmed the soul. She had a way of taking simple ingredients – root vegetables from the cellar, ground beef from the local butcher – and turning them into something extraordinary. This Cheesy Tex-Mex Ground Beef Sweet Potato Skillet reminds me of those gatherings, where the kitchen smelled like cumin and paprika, and we’d all crowd around the stove waiting for that first taste. The sweet potatoes add a touch of natural sweetness that balances the savory beef and spicy poblanos, while the gooey cheese brings it all together in a way that feels both familiar and exciting. Your kitchen’s about to smell incredible.
What Makes This Tex-Mex Skillet So Special
After years of feeding my family on busy weeknights, I’ve learned that the best recipes are the ones that deliver big flavor without big effort. This one-pan ground beef skillet combines the convenience of simple cooking with the bold, satisfying taste of Tex-Mex cuisine.
- Ready in 40 minutes – Perfect for those evenings when time is tight but you still want a home-cooked meal on the table
- Only one skillet to clean – Everything cooks together, building layers of flavor while keeping cleanup simple
- Nutrient-packed and filling – Sweet potatoes provide fiber and vitamins, while lean ground beef delivers 30 grams of protein per serving
- Incredibly versatile – Serve it straight from the skillet, scoop into tacos, pile on nachos, or wrap in warm tortillas
- Budget-friendly ingredients – Uses pantry staples and affordable proteins that don’t compromise on taste
- Great for meal prep – Flavors actually improve overnight, making this perfect for Sunday cooking
I love how this dish has become a regular in my rotation because it adapts to whatever my family’s craving – sometimes we eat it with rice, other times we make it taco night.
Key Players in This Recipe
Ground beef forms the savory foundation of this skillet, and I always choose 85/15 lean beef for the perfect balance of flavor and healthy fat content without excess grease.
Sweet potatoes are the star vegetable here, bringing natural sweetness, vibrant color, and a tender texture that contrasts beautifully with the seasoned beef – I prefer cutting them into 1/2-inch cubes so they cook evenly and become fork-tender in about 15 minutes.
Taco seasoning delivers that signature Tex-Mex warmth with cumin, chili powder, and garlic in one convenient blend, though you can certainly make your own if you prefer controlling the spice level.
Poblano pepper adds a mild, earthy heat that’s perfect for families who want Cheesy Tex-Mex Ground Beef Sweet Potato Skillet flavor without overwhelming spiciness – these peppers are gentler than jalapeños but still bring character to the dish.
Frozen corn contributes natural sweetness and a pop of texture that complements the soft sweet potatoes while adding color to every bite.
Shredded cheese creates that irresistible melted topping, and in my kitchen I prefer a Mexican blend or sharp cheddar for the best melt and flavor payoff.
Onion and garlic build the aromatic base that makes your kitchen smell absolutely wonderful and deepens the savory notes throughout the entire skillet.
How to Make Cheesy Tex-Mex Ground Beef Sweet Potato Skillet
Step 1. I’ve learned that starting with a hot skillet is key – brown the ground beef and diced onions over medium heat for about 10 minutes until the meat is no longer pink, then drain any excess fat to keep the dish from becoming greasy.
Step 2. Add your minced garlic and let it cook for just 30 seconds until fragrant, then immediately stir in the cubed sweet potatoes, taco seasoning, water, corn, and diced poblano pepper so everything gets coated in those wonderful spices.
Step 3. Cover the skillet with a lid and reduce the heat to medium-low, letting everything simmer together for 12-15 minutes – Betty always says this is when the magic happens as the flavors meld and the sweet potatoes soften.
Step 4. Stir the mixture occasionally while it’s covered to prevent sticking and ensure the sweet potatoes on the bottom don’t burn, checking for fork-tenderness around the 12-minute mark.
Step 5. Once the sweet potatoes are tender, remove the lid and continue cooking for 3-5 minutes over medium-low heat, allowing any remaining liquid to evaporate so you get a thick, flavorful mixture instead of a soupy one.
Step 6. Turn off the heat and sprinkle your shredded cheese evenly over the top of the Cheesy Tex-Mex Ground Beef Sweet Potato Skillet, then cover again for 2-3 minutes to let it melt into gooey perfection.
Step 7. Through trial and error I learned that garnishing with fresh cilantro, creamy avocado slices, and a dollop of sour cream right before serving takes this dish from great to absolutely crave-worthy.
Keeping This Skillet Fresh
Leftovers of this Tex-Mex skillet actually taste even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop. I typically store mine in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, making it perfect for meal prep or quick lunches throughout the week. The sweet potatoes hold their texture well, and the seasoned beef stays moist and flavorful.
Betty’s freezing method works wonderfully for this recipe – portion the cooled skillet into individual freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 3 months. I recommend slightly undercooking the sweet potatoes by a minute or two if you plan to freeze, as they’ll soften more during reheating. Make sure to label each container with the date so you can enjoy them at their best quality.
For the best texture, I reheat this skillet on the stovetop over medium-low heat with a splash of water or broth to prevent drying out, stirring occasionally until warmed through. The microwave works in a pinch – just heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each, and add a tablespoon of water to keep everything moist. If you’re reheating from frozen, thaw overnight in the refrigerator first for even heating.
Perfect Partners for This Tex-Mex Skillet
Mexican Rice or Cilantro Lime Rice makes a classic pairing that soaks up all the delicious juices from the skillet while adding filling carbs to complete the meal – the bright citrus notes complement the earthy spices beautifully.
Fresh Garden Salad with Lime Vinaigrette provides a crisp, refreshing contrast to the rich, cheesy skillet, and the acidic dressing cuts through the savory flavors perfectly.
Warm Tortilla Chips or Homemade Tortillas turn this into an interactive meal where everyone can scoop up their favorite bites, and in my family, we love using the chips almost like edible spoons.
Black Beans or Refried Beans add extra protein and fiber to make this an even more substantial meal, plus they bring that authentic Tex-Mex comfort that pairs naturally with the sweet potato and beef combination.
Skillet Cornbread is Betty’s go-to side because the sweet, crumbly texture complements the spicy skillet while the golden crust provides a satisfying textural contrast – plus, it’s perfect for soaking up every last bit of flavor.
Simple Cucumber and Tomato Salad offers a light, cooling element that balances the warmth of the spices, especially welcome during warmer months when you want something fresh alongside your hearty main.
FAQs
I recommend using ground turkey or chicken as a leaner alternative, though you may want to add an extra tablespoon of oil since these proteins are drier than beef and can stick to the pan more easily.
Bell peppers make an excellent mild substitute, or you can use one small jalapeño (seeded) if you prefer more heat – I’ve also had success with canned green chiles in a pinch.
To prevent this issue, make sure you’re stirring occasionally while the skillet is covered and that you’re using enough water – the steam created helps cook the sweet potatoes evenly without burning.
Cheesy Tex-Mex Ground Beef & Sweet Potato Skillet
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large nonstick skillet, brown the ground beef and diced onions over medium heat for about 10 minutes until meat is no longer pink. Drain excess fat.
- Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in cubed sweet potatoes, taco seasoning, water, frozen corn, and diced poblano pepper, mixing well to coat everything in the seasoning.
- Cover the skillet with a lid and reduce heat to medium-low. Let cook for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sweet potatoes are fork-tender.
- Remove the lid and continue cooking over medium-low heat for 3-5 minutes, allowing the remaining liquid to evaporate and the mixture to thicken.
- Turn off heat and top with shredded cheese. Cover the skillet for 2-3 minutes to let the cheese melt completely.
- Serve immediately, garnished with fresh cilantro, sliced avocado, and dollops of sour cream if desired.
