🍳🥒🥔 Ground Beef Zucchini Sweet Potato Skillet
🧾 Ingredients (Serves 4)
-
1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey)
-
1 medium sweet potato, peeled & diced small
-
1 medium zucchini, diced
-
1 small onion, diced
-
2 cloves garlic, minced
-
1 tsp paprika
-
½ tsp dried thyme or Italian seasoning
-
Salt & black pepper, to taste
-
2 tbsp olive oil (divided)
-
Optional: ¼ tsp crushed red pepper for heat
-
Optional toppings: shredded cheese, fresh parsley, avocado slices
🔪 Instructions
1️⃣ Sauté the Sweet Potato
-
Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
-
Add diced sweet potato. Cook 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until nearly tender.
(Covering with a lid helps them cook faster.) -
Remove from skillet and set aside.
2️⃣ Brown the Beef
-
In the same skillet, add ground beef and onion.
-
Cook until beef is browned and onion is soft, about 6–8 minutes.
-
Drain excess grease if needed. Stir in garlic and cook another 30 seconds.
3️⃣ Combine & Finish
-
Add zucchini, cooked sweet potatoes, and seasonings (paprika, thyme, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes).
-
Drizzle in the remaining olive oil if needed.
-
Cook everything together for another 5–7 minutes, until zucchini is tender and sweet potatoes are fork-soft.
✅ Tips
-
Cut sweet potatoes small so they cook quickly and evenly.
-
For extra richness, top with a little cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese and let it melt before serving.
-
Make it spicy with a pinch of cayenne or a splash of hot sauce.
🔄 Variations
-
Swap ground beef for ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles.
-
Add more veg like bell peppers, spinach, or corn.
-
Serve with a fried egg on top for a protein-packed brunch.
Would you like a make-ahead meal prep version, a low-carb tweak, or ideas to turn this into a casserole?