Cheesy Sweet Potato Skillet With Ground Beef
A sweet potato skillet made with ground beef, celery, and tomatoes, all simmered together and coated in a creamy cheese sauce for a hearty, flavorful meal.
September 2025 update: I first shared this recipe for my cheesy sweet potato skillet back in October of 2024. In this update, I added some additional photos of the process, as well as some additional and freshened up content.
👩🍳 A Healthy Hamburger Helper Swap
Most kids and teens love Hamburger Helper. It is quick, cheesy, and easy to make in one pan. The problem is that it is packed with processed ingredients I would rather skip. That is where this Sweet Potato Cheeseburger Skillet comes in. It is a wholesome twist on the classic and just as simple to get on the table.
This hearty ground beef skillet recipe has all the flavors you crave. Think seasoned beef, gooey melted cheese, and a creamy sauce with real veggies added in. Sweet potatoes, celery, and tomatoes bring extra flavor and nutrition, making this a sweet potato skillet recipe worth keeping in your weeknight rotation.
My kids devour it and I love that it only takes one pan, which means minimal cleanup.
If you want more easy one-pan dinners, try my One-Pan Chicken and Wild Rice or my Caribbean Jerk Chicken and Rice. Both are proof that dinner can be hearty and flavorful while giving you back a little time to enjoy your evening.
🛒 Sweet Potato Skillet Ingredients
🥣 How to Make This Sweet Potato Skillet
Start by heating olive oil in a large skillet set over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until it softens and turns translucent, stirring occasionally so it doesn’t brown too quickly.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook just until fragrant, then add the ground beef. Break it apart with a wooden spoon and cook until no pink remains. Drain off any excess fat if needed, then season the beef with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Stir well to coat the beef in the spices, then transfer it to a bowl and set aside.
In the same skillet, warm a little more olive oil. Add the chopped celery and cubed sweet potato. Cook while stirring often until the sweet potatoes start to soften and the celery takes on a bit of golden color. Stir in the drained tomatoes and celery leaves, if using, and let everything simmer together for a couple of minutes so the flavors meld. Transfer this mixture to the bowl with the beef.
Reduce the heat to medium-low and melt butter in the same skillet. Whisk in the Dijon mustard along with a pinch of salt and pepper. Sprinkle in the flour and whisk constantly for a couple of minutes to cook out the raw flavor. Slowly pour in the milk or cream, whisking the whole time to avoid lumps. Once the liquid is added, bring it to a gentle boil and continue whisking until the sauce thickens slightly. Take the pan off the heat and stir in the shredded cheese until it melts into a smooth, creamy sauce.
Return the beef, sweet potatoes, and celery mixture to the skillet. Stir everything together until coated in the cheese sauce and warmed through. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Serve hot, right from the skillet, with a crisp green salad on the side for balance.
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Sweet Potato Cheeseburger Skillet
Ingredients
- 4 tsp extra-virgin olive oil (divided)
- ½ large chopped onion
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- salt and pepper (to taste)
- 2 stalks of chopped celery
- ¼ cup packed celery leaves (optional for a bright, fresh flavor)
- 1 large cubed sweet potato (washed and peeled)
- 24 ounces chopped tomatoes (drained)
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ⅛ cup flour
- 2 cups whole milk (or heavy whipping cream)
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, gruyere or a mixture are good choices)
Instructions
- Add 2 tsp olive oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add ½ large chopped onion to the skillet and cook until translucent. Add 2 cloves minced garlic and cook for 1 minute or until fragrant. Add 1 pound lean ground beef and cook until no longer pink. Drain the beef and then add 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon chili powder and salt and pepper, to taste. Stir well, remove from the skillet to a bowl.
- Add 2 tsp olive oil to the same skillet over medium heat. Add 2 stalks of chopped celery and 1 large cubed sweet potato. Cook stirring often until sweet potatoes and celery are softened and slightly browned.
- Add 24 ounces chopped tomatoes and ¼ cup packed celery leaves (optional). Cook until heated through. Remove to the bowl with the ground beef mixture.
- In the same skillet, melt 3 tablespoons butter. Incorporate 1 tablespoon dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper. Whisk in ⅛ cup flour. Continue whisking for 2 minutes. Reduce heat to low and gradually add 2 cups whole milk, stirring constantly. Bring the mixture to a boil, continuing to cook while whisking constantly. Reduce heat and simmer until the sauce thickens a little bit. Turn off heat and add 1 cup shredded cheese, stirring until the cheese is melted.
- Add the beef and veggie mixture back to the skillet, tossing everything in the cheese sauce until well-coated and warmed through.
- Serve warm, alongside a fresh side salad.
Notes
Substitutions
Storage
Nutrition
FAQs
Are sweet potatoes low carb?
Sweet potatoes are lower in carbs than regular pasta or potatoes but still provide a moderate amount of carbs. They’re packed with fiber, which makes them a great choice for low-carb, whole-food meals. If you want to lower the carbs even more, you can swap them for cauliflower.
What to Serve With This Cheesy Sweet Potato Skillet
This Sweet Potato Cheeseburger Skillet is hearty enough to stand on its own, but a few simple sides make the meal even better. A crisp green salad with lemon vinaigrette or a cucumber and tomato salad adds freshness to balance the creamy cheese sauce.
Warm bread, cornbread muffins, or fluffy biscuits are great for soaking up every bit of the skillet. You can also top the skillet with more shredded cheddar, scallions, or a spoonful of sour cream for a little flair.
Other One-Pan and One-Pot Dishes
Here are some other one-pan and one-pot dishes you might love if you enjoyed the Sweet Potato Cheeseburger Skillet.
For something rich and comforting, try Sundried Tomato Chicken with Parmesan Garlic Sauce. It is creamy, garlicky, and cheesy with the bold tang of sundried tomatoes in every bite. Another favorite is One-Pan Mediterranean Chicken and Orzo, a simple but satisfying dish that brings all the bright flavors of the Mediterranean together in one skillet.
If you want classic comfort food, One-Pan Chicken Pot Pie with Rosemary Biscuits is always a winner. The golden, fluffy biscuits sit on top of a creamy, veggie-packed filling that makes the whole meal feel like a hug. For something more indulgent, Mediterranean Chicken in Pesto Asiago Sauce combines juicy chicken, mushrooms, olives, and tomatoes with orzo in a decadent, cheesy sauce.
For a lighter twist, Mediterranean Chicken with Potato Wedges is packed with fresh lemon, herbs, sun-dried tomatoes, and feta for a meal that feels bright and fresh. Or go tropical with Pineapple Fried Rice, a colorful mix of sweet and savory flavors that even picky eaters love.
Casserole lovers will enjoy Sweet Potato Tater Tot CasseroleSweet Potato Tater Tot Casserole, which swaps in sweet potato tots and adds peppers, corn, and a homemade cream of mushroom soup for a wholesome spin. The classic Tater Tot Casserole is always comforting with crispy tots, melty cheese, and rich cream sauce. And if you are craving something hearty, Meatball Casserole with its cheesy layers and rich tomato sauce is a family favorite.
This is real good.