Sautéed Ground Beef with Roasted Sweet Potato and Spinach
A nourishing Whole30-friendly plate combining smoky sautéed ground beef with caramelized sweet potatoes and tender spinach for balanced flavors. This mediterranean-inspired whole30 (paleo) ready in about 35 minutes pairs ground beef, avocado oil, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tbsp avocado oil
- 2 cups sweet potato, peeled and diced into 1/2-inch cubes
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 cups baby spinach
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F. Toss 2 cups diced sweet potato with 1 tbsp avocado oil, 1/2 tsp sea salt, and 1/2 tsp smoked paprika on a baking sheet. Roast for 20-25 minutes, stirring halfway, until tender and golden.
- Step 2: While sweet potatoes roast, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb ground beef and cook for 5-6 minutes, breaking it up with a spatula, until browned.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 minced garlic cloves, 1/2 tsp sea salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 4: Add 4 cups baby spinach to the skillet, stirring until wilted, about 2 minutes.
- Step 5: Serve the sautéed beef and spinach mixture alongside the roasted sweet potatoes for a colorful and satisfying meal.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Ground Beef with Roasted Sweet Potato and Spinach take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (10 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 Sautéed Ground Beef with Roasted Sweet Potato and Spinach?
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 ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Ground Beef with Roasted Sweet Potato and Spinach?
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 Sautéed Ground Beef with Roasted Sweet Potato and Spinach 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.
Is Sautéed Ground Beef with Roasted Sweet Potato and Spinach whole30?
Yes — this recipe is tagged whole30, paleo based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
