Description
This Ground Beef Zucchini Sweet Potato Skillet is a wholesome, hearty, and flavor-packed one-pan meal that comes together in under 30 minutes. It features lean ground beef, tender chunks of sweet potato, and zucchini sautéed to perfection with aromatic spices. It’s low-effort, easy to customize, and loaded with protein, fiber, and nutrients.
Perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or when you need to clean out the fridge, this skillet dish satisfies without weighing you down. It’s gluten-free, dairy-free, and can easily be made Whole30 or paleo-friendly. Healthy food never tasted so good — and cleanup is a breeze!
Ingredients (serves 4)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and diced (about 2 cups)
- 1 medium zucchini, diced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon chili powder (optional for heat)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- ¼ cup water or beef broth
- Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, about 5–6 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Add diced onion and garlic to the beef. Sauté for 2–3 minutes until fragrant.
- Stir in diced sweet potatoes. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, to let them start to soften.
- Add zucchini, paprika, oregano, chili powder (if using), salt, and pepper. Stir well.
- Mix in tomato paste and pour in the water or beef broth. Cover and let simmer on medium-low heat for 8–10 minutes, or until sweet potatoes are tender and sauce thickens slightly.
- Uncover and cook for another 2–3 minutes to reduce any extra liquid.
- Garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro. Serve warm straight from the skillet.
Nutrition (approximate per serving)
- Calories: 360 kcal
- Protein: 25 g
- Fat: 18 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 5 g
Tips & Tricks
- Shortcut tip: Microwave diced sweet potatoes for 3 minutes before adding to the skillet to speed up cooking time.
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner version.
- Add spinach or kale at the end for extra greens and nutrients.
- Make it spicy by adding a dash of cayenne or red pepper flakes.
- Top with shredded cheese or a fried egg for extra richness if you’re not dairy-free.
My Extra Tips for Your Website
Consider offering variations at the end of the recipe for readers on special diets: keto (omit sweet potatoes), paleo (use grass-fed beef), or vegan (use plant-based ground and veggie broth). Include a short story or anecdote about how this meal saves time on busy nights. A printable meal-prep guide or serving suggestion graphic could add extra value for your readers.
Also, invite readers to share their skillet creations using a branded hashtag like #MySkilletMoment — it creates community engagement and user-generated content for your brand.
Leave a Reply