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A tasty weeknight dinner made in just 35 minutes. These ground beef and potatoes are packed with a savory flavor that impresses the whole family. It’s comfort food made simple for busy nights.
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Who would have thought something as simple as ground beef and potatoes would be such a hit? But it is! This one-skillet dinner whips up in no time, and my family loves it. It’s packed with wholesome ingredients and can be adapted easily enough for picky eaters.
Made with basic pantry staples just like this Easy Tuna White Bean Salad recipe, and deliciously seasoned, this ground beef recipe is budget-friendly and easy to customize.
For more delicious and easy 30 minute meals, check out this Ground Beef and Broccoli recipe or this Honey Garlic chicken recipe.
Why You Will Love This Ground Beef and Potatoes Recipe
- Easy to make: This ground beef and potatoes recipe comes together with mostly pantry ingredients, and everything is made in one skillet, which keeps cleanup simple.
- Customizable: This is a weeknight dinner that’s easy to customize based on how it’s served or what you add to it. Great for families with multiple flavor profiles.
- Budget-friendly: Since the base of the recipe is ground beef, potatoes, and seasonings this dinner is great when you’re trying to stretch your budget!
Ingredients and Sustitutions
For a full ingredients list with measurements, check the recipe card below.
- Lean ground beef: I prefer to use 93% lean. But any ground beef you have on hand will work you just may need to strain it more. This can also work with ground chicken, turkey, or ground venison as well, and even a split of two types of meat.
- Yukon gold potatoes: You want these potatoes because they tend to hold their shape the most once cooked which prevents the texture from becoming mushy.
- Vegetables: Other vegetables you’ll need are bell pepper, yellow onion, and green onions to give the dinner a pop of color and nutrition.
- Olive oil: Used to start the skillet, any neutral oil will work here though.
- Beef stock: Having homemade on hand is wonderful but your favorite store-bought brand is great too. Use what you have and know that even chicken broth or water can work in a pinch.
- Seasonings: From the pantry, you’ll need to grab cumin, paprika, garlic powder (or garlic cloves), thyme, salt, and pepper.
- Sauces: Both Worcestershire sauce and Dijon mustard add a pop of flavor to the beef and potatoes.
How To Make Ground Beef and Potatoes
- Brown the beef. Brown the beef and half the spices together in the olive oil taking care to break it apart as it cooks. Transfer to a plate.
- Cook the potatoes. Add the potatoes to the skillet along with the remaining spices and the beef stock. Cover and simmer for 8-10 minutes until soft and much of the stock is cooked off.
- Add in vegetables. Mix in the onions and bell pepper to the potatoes and cook until soft.
- Put it all together: Add the beef back to the skillet and stir in the sauces. Mix and sprinkle with green onions before serving.
TIPS FROM NELI’S KITCHEN
Recipe Notes and Tips
- Depending on your beef, you may need to drain the excess grease once it is almost cooked through.
- Cut potatoes evenly: Slice or dice the potatoes into equal sizes so they cook evenly. If the pieces are too thick, they’ll take longer to soften; too thin, and they might burn before crisping.
- Season in layers: Season the ground beef with salt, pepper, garlic powder, or your favorite spices as it cooks. Then, season the potatoes separately to make sure every bite is flavorful.
- Once you add the beef back to the skillet with the sauces, give it a taste test and adjust the dish and seasonings based on your preferences.
Recipe Variations
Below are a few ways to adjust the flavor of ground beef and potatoes depending on the taste preferences of your family.
- Cheesy: Before you serve it, sprinkle on some shredded cheddar cheese and let the mixture sit in the skillet for a moment until the cheese is melted.
- Spicy: Add some red pepper flakes or hot sauce to the mix if you like a kick of heat.
- Vegetables: You can change up or add more vegetables to the mixture if you want to stretch the meal further. Chopped green beans, green peas, cooked navy beans, or diced carrots are always great to pair with it.
Serving Suggestions
This is a skillet dinner that’s delicious right out of the pan! Enjoy it as-is, served with a sprinkle of cheese or sour cream in a bowl. Or serve it with any of the following ideas instead.
- Served with a side of roasted vegetables like these Roasted Carrots and Broccoli or Easy Cornbread Muffins
- Serve with this Creamy Caesar Salad or Healthy Cucumber Salad
- Portioned into a wrap for a burrito-style night.
- Enjoyed over Pressure Cooker Spaghetti Squash to stretch the dinner further.
Storing and Reheating
Refrigerator
Allow the ground beef and potatoes to cool fully before storing the leftovers in an airtight container. In the fridge, it will stay fresh for up to 3 days.
To enjoy it again, reheat it in a skillet over low-medium heat until warmed through. You may want to add a splash of beef broth to the skillet as it cooks as it will thicken up a bit in the fridge.
Freezer
Though you can freeze the recipe, know that the potatoes will most likely lose their shape upon thawing which changes the texture of the dish. If you decide to try it, store cool leftovers in the freezer for 2-3 months and let them thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating them.
Recipe FAQs
I prefer to use Yukon Gold potatoes for this recipe because they hold their shape better when cooked. You can use any waxy potatoes. Russet potatoes can easily turn to mush.
Sure! Ground chicken, ground turkey, ground pork, or even ground venision will work for this skillet dinner. You could also do a split of ground beef and ground pork, depending on what you have on hand.
Sweet potatoes can be a great alternative to the Yukon gold potatoes. That said, sometimes they don’t hold their shape as well as waxy potatoes like Yukon, so take care when you’re stirring not to break up the pieces too much.
More Easy Ground Beef Recipes
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Beef Fried Rice
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Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry
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Italian Meatballs
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Ground Beef and Potatoes
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Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 medium yellow onion
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1.5 lbs Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1 cup beef stock, or water
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 2 – 3 green onions, chopped
Spices
- 1 Tablespoon cumin, divided
- 2 teaspoons paprika, divided
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme, divided
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder, divided
- 1 teaspoon salt, divided
- ½ teaspoon black pepper, divided
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large skillet. Add the ground beef, season it with half the spices, and cook while breaking it apart. Transfer to a plate.
- Add cubed potatoes to the skillet and season them with the remainder of the spices. Add 1 cup beef stock and cover the skillet. Cook for 8 – 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and the water has mostly evaporated.
- Add onions and red bell pepper to the potatoes and saute until softened.
- Add the beef back to the skillet and stir to combine. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce and Dijon mustard. Taste and adjust for seasoning. Sprinkle with chopped green onions and serve.
Video
Notes
- Depending on your beef, you may need to drain the excess grease once it is almost cooked through.
- Cut potatoes evenly: Slice or dice the potatoes into equal sizes so they cook evenly. If the pieces are too thick, they’ll take longer to soften; too thin, and they might burn before crisping.
- Season in layers: Season the ground beef with salt, pepper, garlic powder, or your favorite spices as it cooks. Then, season the potatoes separately to make sure every bite is flavorful.
- Once you add the beef back to the skillet with the sauces, give it a taste test and adjust the dish and seasonings based on your preferences.
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer: Nutritional values are estimates and may vary with ingredients, brands, and portion sizes. For accuracy, use your preferred nutrition calculator.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this recipe is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical or nutritional advice. I am not a doctor or a dietitian. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalized guidance regarding your diet or health. For more details, please read my full disclosure page.
Super easy, tasted great, even my picky eater got seconds!
Yay! That makes me so happy to hear! 🎉 I love it when a recipe wins over a picky eater — definitely a success! Thanks for trying it and for sharing your feedback. 😊
I made this tonight for my family. Everyone loved it! Such wonderful flavor. This is definitely going in the rotation! Thank you!
That makes me so happy to hear! 😊 I’m so glad your family loved it—it’s always a win when a recipe makes it into the rotation! Thanks for trying it and for your kind words, Melissa! ❤️