Description
This Ground Beef Zucchini Sweet Potato Skillet is a wholesome, colorful, and flavorful one-pan meal combining savory ground beef, naturally sweet sweet potatoes, and fresh zucchini. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s perfect for quick weeknight dinners that deliver balanced nutrition and comforting warmth with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins
- 1 lb ground beef
Vegetables
- 1 medium zucchini, diced
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
Seasonings & Oils
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- Fresh herbs such as parsley or thyme (optional)
Instructions
- Prep Your Ingredients: Dice the sweet potatoes into small, even pieces for quick cooking. Chop the zucchini and onion similarly and mince the garlic to distribute its flavor evenly throughout the dish.
- Cook the Ground Beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook until browned and no longer pink, then drain excess fat if needed to keep the dish light.
- Sauté the Vegetables: Add the diced onion and garlic to the skillet, stirring often until softened and fragrant. Toss in the sweet potatoes and cook for about 8–10 minutes until they begin to become tender.
- Add Zucchini and Season: Mix in the zucchini pieces along with salt, pepper, and paprika. Continue cooking for another 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the zucchini is tender yet vibrant and the sweet potatoes are fully cooked.
- Finish and Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Sprinkle fresh herbs on top if desired, then serve hot directly from the skillet.
Notes
- Uniformly chop vegetables to ensure even cooking and balanced texture.
- Do not overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if necessary to achieve proper browning.
- Drain excess beef fat wisely to avoid greasiness while retaining flavor.
- Add fresh herbs at the end to preserve their aroma and brightness.
- Using a heavy skillet like cast iron helps distribute heat evenly and prevents burning.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg