Sweet Potato Breakfast Skillet Recipe

Sweet Potato Breakfast Skillet Recipe: Your New Favorite Breakfast

When I first made this Sweet Potato Breakfast Skillet, I knew it was a keeper. The blend of savory sausage, tender sweet potatoes, and perfectly cooked eggs creates a wonderfully balanced meal that’s both comforting and energizing.

It’s become a weekend staple in my home, right up there with other favorites. If you’re looking for more unique meals, you might also want to explore our guide for a Green Chile Chicken Smothered Burritos Recipe. This skillet is just that good.

What You’ll Need for This Skillet

Gather these simple ingredients to create a breakfast that’s bursting with flavor and texture. Each component plays a key role in making this dish a standout meal.

• 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced – Dicing them into small, even cubes ensures they cook quickly and evenly.
• 1 tbsp olive oil – This helps to crisp up the potatoes and prevents sticking.
• 1/2 pound breakfast sausage – Choose your favorite kind; a spicy sausage can add a nice kick.
• 1 small onion, chopped – Adds a foundational savory flavor that complements the sausage.
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped – Provides a touch of sweetness and a vibrant pop of color.
• 2 cloves garlic, minced – Freshly minced garlic offers the best aromatic flavor.
• 1 tsp smoked paprika – This spice gives the dish a smoky depth that is simply irresistible.
• Salt and pepper, to taste – Adjust the seasoning to your personal preference.
• 4 large eggs – The crowning glory, cooked to your desired level of runniness.
• Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish – Adds a final touch of freshness and color.

Note: This recipe makes approximately 4 servings.

Cooking Time

This recipe is perfect for a satisfying breakfast that doesn’t take all morning to prepare. Here’s a quick breakdown of the timing.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cooking Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes

Equipment You Need

You don’t need any fancy gadgets for this recipe, just a few kitchen basics.

• Large Skillet: A 12-inch cast-iron skillet is perfect for even cooking and a great presentation.
• Knife and Cutting Board: For chopping all your vegetables and peeling the potatoes.
• Spatula: For stirring the ingredients and breaking up the sausage.
• Spoon: To create the wells for your eggs.

How to Make Sweet Potato Breakfast Skillet

Making this dish is surprisingly simple and mostly happens in one pan, which means less cleanup for you. Follow these steps for a perfect breakfast skillet every time.

Sauté the Sweet Potatoes

First, heat the olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add the diced sweet potatoes and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes. You want them to start to soften and get a little color on the edges before moving to the next step.

Brown the Sausage

Next, push the sweet potatoes to one side of the skillet. Add the breakfast sausage to the empty side, breaking it up with a spatula as it cooks. Continue cooking until it’s nicely browned and cooked through. This method allows the sausage to cook in its own fat, adding more flavor.

Combine with Veggies and Spices

Now, add the chopped onion, red bell pepper, and minced garlic to the pan. Stir everything together to combine the potatoes, sausage, and fresh vegetables. Sprinkle the smoked paprika, salt, and pepper over the mixture and cook for about 5 more minutes, until the veggies are tender.

Create Wells and Add Eggs

Using the back of a spoon, make four small wells in the sweet potato mixture. Carefully crack one egg into each well. This keeps the eggs contained and helps them cook evenly. This step is where the magic really starts to happen.

Cook the Eggs and Serve

Reduce the heat to low and cover the skillet. Let the eggs cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until the whites are set but the yolks are still runny. If you prefer your yolks more cooked, leave it covered for a few extra minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.

Additional Tips for Making this Recipe Better

After making this skillet a few times, I’ve picked up some tricks that take it from great to absolutely amazing.

• Par-Cook the Potatoes: If you’re short on time in the morning, you can microwave the diced sweet potatoes for 4-5 minutes the night before. This will cut down the skillet cooking time significantly.
• Use a Cast-Iron Skillet: I find that a cast-iron skillet gives the best results. It distributes heat evenly and gives the potatoes and sausage a perfect, slightly crispy texture.
• Don’t Crowd the Pan: Make sure your skillet is large enough to hold all the ingredients without being too crowded. This helps everything cook properly instead of steaming.
• Get Creative with Toppings: Besides parsley, try adding sliced avocado, a dollop of sour cream, or a sprinkle of crumbled feta cheese on top before serving.

Tasty Variations to Try

One of the best things about this recipe is how easy it is to adapt. Here are a few variations you can try. For more creative meal ideas, you can also explore our other dinner recipes.

• Go Vegetarian: Simply leave out the sausage or substitute it with black beans, chickpeas, or your favorite plant-based sausage.
• Add More Veggies: Feel free to add other vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini. Add leafy greens like spinach or kale toward the end of cooking so they just wilt.
• Make It Spicy: For a fiery kick, add a diced jalapeño along with the bell pepper or sprinkle some red pepper flakes over the finished dish.
• Switch Up the Cheese: If you decide to add cheese, cheddar, Monterey Jack, or even goat cheese would be delicious additions.

How to Serve Sweet Potato Breakfast Skillet

Presentation can make a simple meal feel special. Here are a few ideas for serving.

• Serve it directly from the skillet at the table for a rustic, family-style meal.
• Top with sliced avocado, a sprinkle of cilantro, or a dash of your favorite hot sauce.
• Pair it with a side of crusty bread or toast for dipping into the runny egg yolks.
• For a sweet finish to your brunch, consider making our Blackened Shrimp Cavatappi Recipe.

Calories Count

Here are the approximate nutritional facts for one serving of this skillet.

• Calories: Approximately 350 kcal
• Protein: 18g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fat: 18g
• Fiber: 5g

How to Store the Sweet Potato Breakfast Skillet

This skillet is great for meal prep. Here’s how to store and reheat leftovers.

• Storing: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.
• Freezing: You can freeze the skillet mixture (without the eggs) for up to 3 months.
• Reheating: Reheat in a skillet over low heat or in the microwave until warmed through. You can even top it with freshly cooked eggs.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

There are so many reasons to make this breakfast skillet a regular in your rotation.

• One-Pan Meal: Everything cooks in a single skillet, making cleanup quick and easy.
• Versatile and Customizable: It’s easy to swap ingredients based on what you have on hand or your dietary preferences.
• Nutrient-Packed: This dish is loaded with protein, healthy carbs, and vitamins to fuel your day.
• Incredibly Flavorful: The combination of sweet, savory, and smoky flavors is simply delicious.
• Perfect for Any Meal: While it’s called a breakfast skillet, it’s hearty enough for a fantastic lunch or dinner.

Ben Carraoli

Sweet Potato Breakfast Skillet Recipe

When I first made this Sweet Potato Breakfast Skillet, I knew it was a keeper. The blend of savory sausage, tender sweet potatoes, and perfectly cooked eggs creates a wonderfully balanced meal that's both comforting and energizing.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Course: Breakfast

Calories: 350

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

  

• 2 medium sweet potatoes peeled and diced – Dicing them into small, even cubes ensures they cook quickly and evenly.
• 1 tbsp olive oil – This helps to crisp up the potatoes and prevents sticking.
• 1/2 pound breakfast sausage – Choose your favorite kind; a spicy sausage can add a nice kick.
• 1 small onion chopped – Adds a foundational savory flavor that complements the sausage.
• 1 red bell pepper chopped – Provides a touch of sweetness and a vibrant pop of color.
• 2 cloves garlic minced – Freshly minced garlic offers the best aromatic flavor.
• 1 tsp smoked paprika – This spice gives the dish a smoky depth that is simply irresistible.
• Salt and pepper to taste – Adjust the seasoning to your personal preference.
• 4 large eggs – The crowning glory cooked to your desired level of runniness.
• Fresh parsley chopped, for garnish – Adds a final touch of freshness and color.

Method

 

1. First, heat the olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add the diced sweet potatoes and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes. You want them to start to soften and get a little color on the edges before moving to the next step.
2. Next, push the sweet potatoes to one side of the skillet. Add the breakfast sausage to the empty side, breaking it up with a spatula as it cooks. Continue cooking until it’s nicely browned and cooked through. This method allows the sausage to cook in its own fat, adding more flavor.
3. Now, add the chopped onion, red bell pepper, and minced garlic to the pan. Stir everything together to combine the potatoes, sausage, and fresh vegetables. Sprinkle the smoked paprika, salt, and pepper over the mixture and cook for about 5 more minutes, until the veggies are tender.
4. Using the back of a spoon, make four small wells in the sweet potato mixture. Carefully crack one egg into each well. This keeps the eggs contained and helps them cook evenly. This step is where the magic really starts to happen.
5. Reduce the heat to low and cover the skillet. Let the eggs cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until the whites are set but the yolks are still runny. If you prefer your yolks more cooked, leave it covered for a few extra minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.