It’s hard not to fall head over heels for this Cheesy Southwest Sweet Potato Skillet! Bursting with lively flavors, it’s an easy one-pan meal loaded with melting cheese, smoky spices, hearty black beans, and sweet potatoes that caramelize beautifully. In just 30 minutes, you’ll have a vibrant, colorful dinner that is comforting, wholesome, and downright irresistible!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- One-Pan Wonder: Everything cooks up in a single skillet, so you get major flavor and minimal cleanup—perfect for busy weeknights!
- Bold, Satisfying Flavors: With smoky spices, melty cheese, and zesty lime, this Cheesy Southwest Sweet Potato Skillet hits every taste note from savory to tangy.
- Wholesome and Hearty: Packed with fiber-rich sweet potatoes, protein from black beans, and nutritious brown rice, it’s a meal your body and tastebuds will love.
- Super Customizable: Toss in your favorite veggies, swap out cheeses, or add your preferred protein—the possibilities are endless!
Ingredients You’ll Need
I love how each ingredient in this Cheesy Southwest Sweet Potato Skillet brings something essential to the party! From the silky richness of sweet potatoes to the warm spices, every bite is a flavor celebration—and you probably have most of these on hand already.
- Olive oil: Just a little goes a long way to sautée the sweet potatoes and build a savory base for the whole skillet.
- Sweet potatoes: Diced and peeled, they become tender, sweet, and slightly crisped—an absolute must for Southwest flair.
- Chili powder, cumin, oregano, smoked paprika, garlic powder: This dreamy blend brings out earthy, smoky, and warm flavors with a mild kick. If you want extra heat, add a pinch more chili powder!
- Salt and pepper: Essential for seasoning and making those bold flavors shine.
- Diced green chiles: These give just the right amount of tangy, mild heat—canned is perfect and so convenient.
- Salsa or salsa verde: Adds zing and moisture. Use your favorite variety for a more customized flavor profile.
- Cooked brown rice: Wonderful for heartiness and soaking up all the juices; leftover rice works fabulously here.
- Black beans: Protein-packed, creamy, and smoky—they add so much texture and substance.
- Cilantro: Brings a fresh, herby pop that brightens every bite—add as much as you can handle!
- Lime juice: Quickly wakes up all those flavors with a burst of citrusy freshness.
- Shredded cheddar, colby jack, or Monterey jack cheese: All three are melty magic—pulls everything together in a blanket of gooey, golden goodness.
Variations
This Cheesy Southwest Sweet Potato Skillet is endlessly flexible! Don’t be afraid to make it your own, whether you’re swapping out ingredients, adding protein, or making it fit a dietary need—there’s a flavor adventure for everyone.
- Add Chicken or Ground Turkey: Sauté diced cooked chicken or brown some ground turkey before the sweet potatoes for a meaty boost.
- Make it Vegan: Use a plant-based cheese or simply skip the cheese and top with creamy avocado for a dairy-free version that’s still ultra-satisfying.
- Spice it Up: Toss in fresh jalapeño or a pinch of cayenne for extra heat if you like things fiery.
- Switch the Grains: Try quinoa, white rice, or even cauliflower rice for a lighter twist with just as much flavor.
- Add More Veggies: Bell peppers, corn, or zucchini blend perfectly into the mix—just sauté with the sweet potatoes!
How to Make Cheesy Southwest Sweet Potato Skillet
Step 1: Sauté and Steam the Sweet Potatoes
Begin by heating the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Toss in the diced sweet potatoes with a little salt and pepper, then sauté for about 8 minutes. You want them slightly golden on the edges and starting to soften—don’t rush this step, as it builds the flavor foundation! Once they’re sizzling, add a splash of water and cover, letting the potatoes steam gently for another 4 minutes or until they’re fork-tender.
Step 2: Pile in the Flavor
Time to make things really exciting! Add the diced green chiles, black beans, cooked brown rice, chili powder, cumin, oregano, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salsa, cilantro, and a good squeeze of lime juice right into the skillet. Stir it all together, making sure every last sweet potato and grain of rice gets coated in those amazing flavors.
Step 3: Finish with Cheese and Melt
Sprinkle your cheese of choice (cheddar, colby jack, or Monterey jack) over the top of the skillet. Pop on the lid and let it cook for about 3–4 minutes—long enough for the cheese to melt beautifully over the bubbly, zesty filling. That gooey, stretchy cheese truly turns this into the Cheesy Southwest Sweet Potato Skillet of your dreams!
Pro Tips for Making Cheesy Southwest Sweet Potato Skillet
- Sweet Potato Sizing: Dice your sweet potatoes small and uniform so they cook quickly and evenly—this ensures every bite is tender without being mushy.
- Leftover Rice Shortcut: Cold, day-old rice actually works best! It holds its texture and soaks up all those bold flavors without getting clumpy.
- Sizzle With Spices: Toast the spices briefly in the skillet before mixing in the other ingredients—this releases their oils and brings out richer flavor.
- Cheese Selection: For that authentic Southwest melt, try a combo of cheddar plus Monterey jack for the perfect stretchy, golden topping.
How to Serve Cheesy Southwest Sweet Potato Skillet
Garnishes
A Cheesy Southwest Sweet Potato Skillet truly shines with a flurry of toppings! Shower on fresh cilantro and diced avocado for creamy freshness, and consider a dollop of Greek yogurt or sour cream for a cool, tangy contrast. Thinly sliced radishes and extra lime wedges add a fun and vibrant finish.
Side Dishes
This skillet is hearty enough to stand alone, but if you want to round out the meal, serve it with crisp corn tortillas, a big green salad, or some citrusy slaw. A side of grilled corn or even some toasty cornbread makes every bite even more comforting!
Creative Ways to Present
Ladle your Cheesy Southwest Sweet Potato Skillet straight out of the pan for a rustic family-style dinner, or spoon the filling into tortillas for Southwest-style tacos and burritos. It’s also amazing atop a bed of crisp lettuce for a warm, zesty salad, or piled high in bowls with all your favorite toppings bar-style.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Pop any leftovers of your Cheesy Southwest Sweet Potato Skillet into an airtight container and refrigerate—they’ll stay fresh, cheesy, and full of flavor for up to 4 days. It’s a lifesaver for punchy, wholesome lunches all week.
Freezing
You can absolutely freeze this skillet for up to 3 months! Let it cool completely, then spoon into freezer-safe containers or bags. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating, noting that the texture of the sweet potatoes may be a little softer after freezing—but all the deliciousness remains.
Reheating
To bring your leftovers back to life, simply warm them in a skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. If needed, add a splash of water or broth to keep things moist. The microwave works in a pinch, too—just be sure to stir halfway so everything heats evenly.
FAQs
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Can I use white rice or quinoa instead of brown rice?
Absolutely! White rice or cooked quinoa both work beautifully in this Cheesy Southwest Sweet Potato Skillet. The flavors are versatile, so use whatever you have on hand—just make sure it’s cooked before adding.
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Do I have to peel the sweet potatoes?
Peeled sweet potatoes give the dish a softer bite and let the flavors of the spices come through. If you love a bit of rustic texture, though, feel free to leave the skins on—just be sure to scrub them well!
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How can I make this dish spicier?
If you like some heat, add diced jalapeños, a pinch of cayenne, spicy salsa, or use hot green chiles. It’s easy to tailor the Cheesy Southwest Sweet Potato Skillet’s spice level to your preferences!
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Can I prepare Cheesy Southwest Sweet Potato Skillet in advance for meal prep?
Yes! This dish reheats like a dream and is perfect for meal prep. Make a big batch, portion it into containers, and you’ll have flavorful, nourishing meals ready to go throughout the week.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving something vibrant, cozy, and utterly delicious, I can’t recommend this Cheesy Southwest Sweet Potato Skillet enough! It’s one of those recipes that never fails to satisfy and is guaranteed to win over anyone at your table—so go ahead, give it a try, and let your kitchen fill up with bold, inviting Southwest aromas. Happy cooking!
Print
Southwest Sweet Potato Skillet Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sauté, Simmer
- Cuisine: Southwestern
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Southwest Sweet Potato, Black Bean, and Rice Skillet is a delicious and easy one-pan meal that’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. Packed with flavor and nutrients, this vegetarian dish is sure to become a family favorite.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cups peeled and diced sweet potato
- 1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 ounces diced green chiles
- 1/2 cup salsa or salsa verde
- 2 cups cooked brown rice
- 15-ounce can low sodium black beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
- Juice of a lime
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar, colby jack, or monterey jack cheese
Main Ingredients:
Instructions
- Sauté Sweet Potatoes: Heat olive oil in a skillet, add sweet potatoes, salt, and pepper. Sauté for about 8 minutes, then steam until fork-tender.
- Add Ingredients: Mix in green chiles, black beans, rice, spices, salsa, cilantro, lime juice, salt, and pepper.
- Melt Cheese: Sprinkle shredded cheese on top, cover, and cook until cheese is melted and ingredients are warm.
- Serve: Top with additional cilantro, avocado, and Greek yogurt or sour cream if desired.
Notes
- This dish can be customized with toppings like avocado, Greek yogurt, or hot sauce.
- For a vegan version, omit the cheese or use a dairy-free alternative.
- This skillet meal reheats well, making it perfect for meal prep.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 560mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 56g
- Fiber: 10g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
