This Ground Beef & Sweet Potato Hash is a nutrient-packed one-pan wonder that’s equal parts hearty and wholesome. With vibrant bell peppers, creamy sweet potatoes, and a flavorful blend of spices, this dish delivers a deliciously balanced meal you can whip up in under an hour. It’s perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner and ideal for meal prep days when you need simplicity without sacrificing nutrition.
The beauty of this dish lies in its ease—everything cooks in one skillet, meaning minimal cleanup and maximum flavor. Whether you’re trying to eat more whole foods or just looking for a comforting and colorful meal, this recipe hits all the right notes. Top with a fried egg for a brunch-worthy twist or serve as is for a cozy dinner everyone will love.
Full Recipe:
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1 lb ground beef
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2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
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1 red bell pepper, diced
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1 green bell pepper, diced
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1 small onion, diced
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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2 tbsp olive oil (divided)
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1 tsp smoked paprika
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1 tsp ground cumin
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Salt and pepper to taste
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Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Directions:
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Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced sweet potatoes and cook for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until soft and browned. Remove and set aside.
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In the same skillet, add the remaining olive oil and ground beef. Break it apart with a spoon and cook until browned and fully cooked. Drain excess fat if needed.
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Add diced onion, red and green bell peppers, and garlic to the skillet. Cook for 5 minutes until vegetables are tender.
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Return the sweet potatoes to the skillet. Add smoked paprika, ground cumin, salt, and pepper. Stir well and cook for another 5 minutes until everything is tender and well mixed.
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Garnish with chopped parsley. Serve hot.
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 30 minutes | Total Time: 45 minutes
Kcal: 477 kcal | Servings: 4
A Wholesome Skillet Meal: Ground Beef & Sweet Potato Hash
In today’s fast-paced world, finding recipes that strike the perfect balance between flavor, nutrition, and simplicity can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. That’s where dishes like Ground Beef & Sweet Potato Hash come in. With just one pan, a few humble ingredients, and less than an hour of your time, you get a hearty, satisfying meal that nourishes your body and warms your soul. It’s the kind of recipe that appeals to busy parents, health-conscious individuals, and anyone looking to put a delicious homemade dinner on the table without a fuss.
Why One-Pan Meals Are a Game-Changer
One-pan or one-skillet meals have become increasingly popular—and for good reason. The beauty of this cooking method lies in its convenience. By cooking everything in a single pan, you reduce both the preparation time and the cleanup. Whether you’re working with a cast iron skillet, a non-stick pan, or a stainless steel sauté pan, the concept remains the same: toss everything in, cook it all together, and let the flavors develop harmoniously.
In this recipe, the sweet potatoes and ground beef are paired with aromatic vegetables and warm spices, all cooking together to create a symphony of texture and taste. It’s efficient, satisfying, and practical—especially for weeknight dinners.
The Perfect Marriage of Protein and Complex Carbs
A standout feature of this dish is the combination of lean ground beef and sweet potatoes. Ground beef provides a great source of protein, essential for muscle maintenance, hormone production, and overall cellular function. Meanwhile, sweet potatoes are rich in complex carbohydrates, which digest more slowly than simple carbs and help to keep blood sugar levels stable.
Sweet potatoes also contain a host of essential nutrients, including beta-carotene (a precursor to vitamin A), fiber, vitamin C, and potassium. When paired with beef, which supplies iron, zinc, and vitamin B12, this meal becomes a well-rounded powerhouse that fuels the body and keeps you feeling full and energized.
Flavorful and Colorful Vegetables Add a Nutritional Boost
What really takes this hash to the next level is the inclusion of bell peppers, onions, and garlic. These ingredients add not only beautiful color and aroma to the dish, but also contribute to its nutritional density.
Bell peppers, especially red and green varieties used here, are rich in antioxidants like vitamin C and beta-carotene. Onions and garlic offer anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, while also enhancing the savory profile of the beef.
These vegetables soften as they cook, mingling with the spices and soaking up the beef juices, resulting in a balanced dish that’s rich in umami and loaded with goodness.
The Magic of Smoked Paprika and Ground Cumin
It’s not just about the ingredients—it’s also about the spices that bring this dish to life. Two key seasonings used in this hash are smoked paprika and ground cumin, both of which contribute deeply earthy, slightly smoky, and warming notes.
Smoked paprika adds a distinctive richness that complements the sweetness of the potatoes and the robustness of the beef. Ground cumin, on the other hand, brings an almost nutty, toasty flavor that’s commonly found in Latin and Middle Eastern cuisines. When used together, these spices elevate the dish from a basic skillet fry-up to something truly memorable.
A Meal Fit for Any Time of Day
While many might see a hash as a dinner item, one of the most appealing aspects of this recipe is its versatility. It can be served for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
For breakfast or brunch, it pairs beautifully with a fried or poached egg on top. The yolk adds creaminess and richness, turning it into a satisfying morning meal. At lunch, it serves as a hearty and energizing plate that can get you through the rest of the day without the dreaded mid-afternoon crash. And for dinner, it’s the kind of comfort food that doesn’t weigh you down, perfect for a weeknight or a casual weekend meal.
Ideal for Meal Prep and Leftovers
This hash is also incredibly meal-prep friendly. Once cooked, it stores well in the fridge for up to four days and can be easily reheated on the stovetop or in the microwave. The flavors actually improve as they sit, meaning your leftovers might taste even better the next day.
Portion it into meal-prep containers for quick weekday lunches, or serve it as a base to build new meals—try it in a burrito wrap, top it with avocado or salsa, or serve alongside a fresh green salad.
Clean Eating with Everyday Ingredients
One of the great appeals of this dish is how it aligns with a clean eating lifestyle. There’s no need for processed ingredients, artificial flavorings, or complex techniques. It’s made from whole foods: fresh vegetables, real meat, and wholesome spices. This recipe makes it easy to stick to dietary goals without feeling restricted or sacrificing flavor.
It’s naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, and can be adapted for other diets as well. Use leaner ground turkey or chicken if you’re reducing red meat, or add black beans or lentils to stretch the protein content without adding meat. It’s also paleo-friendly and Whole30 compliant with minor tweaks (like omitting any added sugar or commercial sauces).
Budget-Friendly and Family-Approved
Feeding a family or a household on a budget? This recipe shines in that department too. Sweet potatoes and ground beef are among the most affordable whole food staples available. Combined with pantry seasonings and a handful of produce, this meal delivers maximum value at a minimal cost.
Because of its mild yet satisfying flavor profile, this dish is kid-friendly and widely appealing. Even picky eaters tend to enjoy the naturally sweet taste of roasted sweet potatoes, and ground beef is a familiar, comforting protein source for many.
Quick Cooking, Minimal Clean-Up
The total cook time for this recipe is around 45 minutes, including prep. That means even on a hectic weeknight, it’s realistic to get dinner on the table without resorting to fast food or frozen meals. Best of all, since everything cooks in one skillet, you only have one pan to wash—something every home cook can appreciate.
If you want to cut down cooking time even more, you can dice the sweet potatoes and vegetables in advance or even parboil the potatoes before frying them to reduce skillet time.
Customizable for Every Palate
This hash is more of a template than a rigid formula. Want it spicier? Add red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños. Looking to up the greens? Toss in spinach or kale at the end. Craving some dairy? A sprinkle of cheese or a dollop of sour cream can add a creamy contrast.
You can even give it a Tex-Mex spin by adding corn and black beans, or go Mediterranean with olives and feta. The adaptability makes it an excellent choice for families with different tastes or for using up ingredients already in your fridge.
Conclusion: A Skillet Staple Worth Repeating
If you’re looking for a go-to recipe that checks all the boxes—quick, healthy, flavorful, budget-friendly, and family-approved—Ground Beef & Sweet Potato Hash deserves a spot in your weekly rotation. It delivers comfort without compromise and celebrates simple, fresh ingredients in a truly delicious way.
Whether you’re feeding a hungry family, prepping meals for the week, or just trying to eat more whole foods, this recipe is a smart, satisfying, and soul-warming choice. Try it once, and it just might become one of your favorite dishes to make again and again.
