Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef (you can substitute with ground turkey, chicken, or a plant-based alternative)
- ½ cup onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 cups sweet potatoes, cubed (about 2 medium-sized potatoes)
- 2 tablespoons homemade taco seasoning (or 1 packet of store-bought taco seasoning)
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 1 poblano pepper, seeded and diced
- 1 cup shredded cheese (optional for topping)
- Fresh cilantro, avocado, and sour cream (for garnish and serving)
Instructions
- Cook the Ground Beef: Start by heating a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook it, stirring occasionally, until it’s browned. This should take about 5-7 minutes. Once the beef is cooked through, drain any excess fat, as you don’t want to end up with a greasy dish.
- Add the Onions and Garlic: To the browned beef, add the diced onion and minced garlic. Stir everything together and cook for another 2-3 minutes, until the onion becomes translucent and the garlic becomes fragrant. This step builds a solid flavor base for the dish.
- Cook the Sweet Potatoes: Next, add the cubed sweet potatoes to the skillet. Sprinkle the taco seasoning over the sweet potatoes and stir everything together, ensuring the seasoning evenly coats the sweet potatoes and beef. Pour in the water, cover the skillet, and let it cook for 10-15 minutes. The sweet potatoes should be tender when pierced with a fork. This step allows the sweet potatoes to steam and soften, absorbing the flavors of the taco seasoning.
- Add the Corn and Poblano Pepper: After the sweet potatoes are tender, it’s time to add the frozen corn and diced poblano pepper. Stir these ingredients into the skillet and cook for an additional 5 minutes, allowing the vegetables to heat through and the flavors to meld together.
- Melt the Cheese (Optional): If you’re using cheese, sprinkle the shredded cheese over the skillet. Cover it again and let the cheese melt, which should take another 1-2 minutes. The cheese adds a creamy, comforting touch to the dish, but it’s completely optional, especially if you’re looking for a dairy-free option.
- Serve and Garnish: Once the cheese is melted (if using), your skillet meal is ready to serve! Spoon the beef and sweet potato mixture onto plates and garnish with fresh cilantro, avocado slices, and a dollop of sour cream. These toppings add freshness and a burst of flavor to the dish, balancing out the spices and giving it an extra layer of richness.
Notes
- Sweet Potato Cooking Time: Sweet potatoes can vary in how long they take to cook depending on their size and how thick they are cut. If the potatoes are still hard after 15 minutes, just continue to cook them for a few more minutes. You can check their doneness by piercing them with a fork – it should go through easily when they are fully cooked.
- Ground Beef Substitutes: If you prefer to use ground turkey or chicken, keep in mind that these leaner meats might cook faster than beef. Keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking. You may also need to add a little more fat to the pan since these meats are often leaner.
- Adjusting Spice Levels: If you’re sensitive to spice, start by using less taco seasoning. You can always add more later, but it’s harder to tone down the heat once it’s been added. Conversely, if you love spice, feel free to increase the seasoning or even add some chili flakes or diced jalapeños.
- Overcooking Vegetables: If you accidentally overcook your veggies, don’t panic. Sweet potatoes should still taste great, but they might become a little mushy. If this happens, simply serve the dish as is, or use a spoon to slightly mash them into the beef mixture for a different texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes