Welcome to your new favorite weeknight dinner! This Ground Beef Zucchini Sweet Potato Skillet is a powerhouse of flavor, nutrition, and simplicity, all cooked up in a single pan. If you’re looking for a meal that’s satisfying, healthy, and incredibly easy to clean up, you’ve found it. This recipe perfectly balances the savory richness of ground beef, the earthy sweetness of sweet potatoes, and the fresh, tender bite of zucchini.
We combine lean ground beef with aromatic garlic and onions, then toss it with perfectly diced sweet potatoes and zucchini. A blend of savory spices brings everything together, creating a dish that’s as delicious as it is colorful. It’s a complete meal in one, packed with protein, complex carbs, and essential vitamins. Let’s dive in and make this simple, flavor-packed skillet.
Why You’ll Absolutely Love This Recipe
- One-Pan Wonder: Say goodbye to a sink full of dishes! Everything cooks together in one skillet, making cleanup a breeze.
- Quick & Easy: From start to finish, this meal is ready in about 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights.
- Healthy & Balanced: Packed with lean protein, nutrient-dense vegetables, and wholesome sweet potatoes, it’s a meal you can feel great about serving.
- Incredibly Versatile: This recipe is wonderfully adaptable. You can easily swap veggies or proteins to suit your taste or use up what you have in the fridge. For a different take on a hearty ground beef meal, you might also enjoy this recipe for an old-fashioned goulash.
The Key Ingredients for this Ground Beef Zucchini Sweet Potato Skillet
The magic of this dish lies in its simplicity and the quality of its ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
For the Skillet:
- Lean Ground Beef: I recommend using 90/10 or 93/7 lean ground beef to minimize grease without sacrificing flavor.
- Sweet Potato: One large sweet potato provides a touch of sweetness and a hearty texture. Look for one with smooth, firm skin.
- Zucchini: Two medium zucchinis add freshness and a dose of green.
- Yellow Onion & Garlic: These are the essential flavor builders for our skillet.
- Avocado Oil: A neutral-flavored oil with a high smoke point, perfect for sautéing. Olive oil also works well.
- Spices: A simple yet powerful combination of smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper ties all the flavors together.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Brown the Beef
Start by heating the avocado oil in a large skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until it’s browned all over. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics
Add the diced yellow onion to the skillet with the beef. Cook for 3-4 minutes, until the onion begins to soften and become translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Step 3: Cook the Sweet Potatoes
Add the diced sweet potatoes, smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Stir everything together until the beef and onions are evenly coated in the spices. Cover the skillet and cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sweet potatoes are tender.
Step 4: Add the Zucchini
Stir in the diced zucchini. Continue to cook, uncovered, for another 5-7 minutes, until the zucchini is tender-crisp. You want it cooked through but not mushy.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
Taste the skillet and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired. This dish is fantastic on its own or with a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt.
Pro Tips for the Perfect Skillet
- Dice Uniformly: Cut your sweet potato and zucchini into similar-sized pieces (about a 1/2-inch dice) to ensure they cook evenly.
- Don’t Crowd the Pan: Use a large skillet (at least 12 inches) to give the ingredients enough space to brown rather than steam.
- Control the Heat: Keep the heat at medium-high to get a nice sear on the beef and veggies, but be ready to lower it if the garlic or spices start to burn.
- Meal Prep Master: This recipe is perfect for meal prep! Cook a batch on Sunday and portion it into containers for easy lunches throughout the week. It reheats beautifully. If you love meal-prepping with ground meat, this ground turkey sweet potato bake is another excellent choice.
Variations and Substitutions
One of the best things about this Ground Beef Zucchini Sweet Potato Skillet is how easy it is to customize. Here are a few ideas:
- Protein Swap: Try using ground turkey, ground chicken, or even crumbled Italian sausage instead of ground beef.
- Different Veggies: Feel free to add or substitute other vegetables. Bell peppers, mushrooms, corn, or chopped broccoli would all be delicious additions.
- Add Some Heat: For a spicy kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a finely diced jalapeño with the garlic.
- Make it Cheesy: Sprinkle some shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese over the top during the last couple of minutes of cooking and let it melt.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
This skillet makes for fantastic leftovers. Here’s how to store it properly:
- To Store: Allow the skillet to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- To Reheat: You can reheat individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or warm it gently in a skillet over medium heat until heated through.
Looking for another casserole-style dish that holds up well? This hearty ground beef casserole is a guaranteed family-pleaser.
What to Serve with Your Skillet Dinner
This Ground Beef Zucchini Sweet Potato Skillet is a complete meal on its own, but it also pairs well with a few simple sides:
- A simple green salad with a vinaigrette dressing.
- A dollop of sour cream, Greek yogurt, or fresh avocado.
- A side of crusty bread for soaking up any juices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, this recipe is easily adaptable for Paleo or Whole30 diets. Ensure you use compliant ground beef and check your spices for any added sugars or non-compliant ingredients. It’s naturally gluten-free and dairy-free.
Absolutely! Ground turkey or ground chicken are excellent, leaner alternatives in this recipe. Simply follow the same instructions for browning the meat.
The key is to cut the sweet potatoes into uniform, 1/2-inch cubes and cook them until they are just fork-tender before adding the zucchini. The zucchini releases water, so adding it later prevents the sweet potatoes from overcooking and becoming mushy.
Yes, this recipe is perfect for meal prep. It holds up well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Just portion it out into airtight containers for quick and healthy lunches or dinners.
This skillet is very versatile! You could add diced bell peppers, mushrooms, chopped broccoli florets, or corn. Add heartier vegetables like peppers with the sweet potatoes, and quicker-cooking ones like mushrooms with the zucchini.
The Ultimate Ground Beef Zucchini Sweet Potato Skillet Recipe
Ground Beef Zucchini Sweet Potato Skillet: The Perfect 30-Minute Meal
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Heat avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it apart, until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Add the diced onion to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
- Add the diced sweet potatoes, smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir well. Cover and cook for 10-12 minutes, until sweet potatoes are tender.
- Stir in the diced zucchini and cook, uncovered, for 5-7 minutes more, until the zucchini is tender-crisp.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot.
Notes
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Variations: Feel free to swap the ground beef for ground turkey or add other vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms.
Share Your Creation!
I hope you love this Ground Beef Zucchini Sweet Potato Skillet as much as I do! It’s a true testament to how simple ingredients can create something truly special. If you make this recipe, I would love to hear about it! Leave a comment below or share a photo of your masterpiece on Pinterest. Your feedback helps and inspires other home cooks!
