One-Pot Cumin Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet
Tender ground beef simmers in a spiced cumin sauce with roasted sweet potatoes and bell peppers for a complete, weeknight-friendly meal. This american-inspired one pot ready in about 40 minutes pairs lean ground beef, sliced into thin strips red bell pepper, diced yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 oz lean ground beef
- 2 medium, peeled and diced into 1/2-inch cubes sweet potatoes
- 1, sliced into thin strips red bell pepper
- 1, diced yellow onion
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced sweet potatoes, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp black pepper, then cook for 10 minutes until golden and tender, stirring occasionally.
- Step 2: Add the diced onion and sliced bell pepper to the skillet and cook for 5 minutes until softened, stirring occasionally.
- Step 3: Stir in the minced garlic, 1 tbsp ground cumin, and 1 tsp smoked paprika, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 4: Add the 12 oz ground beef, breaking it into small pieces with a spoon, and cook for 5 minutes until browned.
- Step 5: Stir in 1/2 cup beef broth, 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1 tbsp soy sauce, and 1/4 tsp salt, bringing to a simmer and cooking for 8-10 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the vegetables and beef.
- Step 6: Remove from heat, stir in 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, and serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Cumin Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover One-Pot Cumin Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep lean ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Cumin Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale One-Pot Cumin Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with One-Pot Cumin Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet?
American one pot like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Made exactly as written. Wouldn't change a thing.
- ★★★★★
Made with what I had on hand and it still came out great.
- ★★★★★
Brought this to a potluck and it was the first dish to disappear.
