Spiced Picadillo with Sweet Potatoes and Olives
Ground beef simmered with sweet potatoes, olives, and warm spices for a deeply flavored, one-pot dinner. This puerto rican-inspired one pot ready in about 50 minutes pairs Ground beef, medium Onion, Garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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 medium Onion
- 3 cloves Garlic
- 2 medium Sweet potatoes
- 1 cup Tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup Olives
- 1 tsp Cumin
- 1 tsp Paprika
- 1 Bay leaf
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 medium diced onion and cook for 5 minutes until softened. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook for 5 minutes until browned.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 medium diced sweet potatoes, 1 cup tomato sauce, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp paprika, 1 bay leaf, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Bring to a simmer.
- Step 4: Cover and cook on low for 30 minutes until sweet potatoes are tender.
- Step 5: Stir in 1/2 cup pitted olives and cook for 5 more minutes.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spiced Picadillo with Sweet Potatoes and Olives take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (15 min prep + 35 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 Spiced Picadillo with Sweet Potatoes and Olives?
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 Spiced Picadillo with Sweet Potatoes and Olives?
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 Spiced Picadillo with Sweet Potatoes and Olives 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 Spiced Picadillo with Sweet Potatoes and Olives?
Puerto Rican 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
- ★★★★★
Substituted chicken for tofu and it worked beautifully.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
