Easy one-pot Ground Beef, Kale and Sweet Potato Skillet — a flavorful, low-carb dinner ready in about 30 minutes, ideal for busy weeknights.
Last week my cousin visited with her baby, and I had an absolute blast. Tiny things kept him entertained for hours — kitchen cabinets, knobs and drawers were a hit — and I confess I couldn’t keep my hands off him for more than a few minutes. I may also have given him a treat before dinner, which earned me a playful scolding from his mom.
After I dropped them at the airport, I returned to find my fridge surprisingly bare. My focus had been on family time, not meal planning. A three-day-old package of ground beef caught my eye, along with some forgotten kale and a trusty sweet potato. With those few ingredients, this skillet recipe came together beautifully.
This simple skillet was inspired by a few ideas from friends and other recipes, and it turned out to be a real winner — flavorful, moist, and satisfying. It’s a perfect one-pan meal when you want something quick without sacrificing nutrition.
Why this recipe works so well:
- Delicious, hearty flavor
- One-pot simplicity
- Minimal cleanup
- Great way to use a few leftover ingredients
- Tastes even better the next day
- Balanced and filling — protein and greens included
- Satisfying carbs from sweet potato
Ground Beef, Kale & Sweet Potato Skillet
Pin Recipe
Rate Recipe
Print Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 med shallot chopped
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 cups sweet potato cubed
- 2 cups kale roughly chopped
Instructions
-
Heat the oil in a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, shallot and garlic, and cook about 12 minutes until the beef is browned.
-
Stir in onion powder, paprika, cubed sweet potato and the water. Cover and simmer for about 10 minutes, until the sweet potatoes begin to soften.
-
Add the chopped kale, stir and sauté on medium-high until the water has absorbed and the kale is tender, about 3–5 minutes. Adjust seasoning to taste and serve.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.
Other skillet ideas to try with sweet potato and seafood are also delicious and follow the same quick-cook format.
For another hearty option, try stuffed peppers using ground beef and brown rice — a great meal-prep choice that also pairs well with a simple green salad.
Save this recipe and enjoy a fast, nutritious dinner any night of the week.