The Hearty Ground Beef and Potatoes Skillet Recipe You’ll Love

Hearty comfort food takes center stage with this ground beef and potatoes skillet that promises delicious satisfaction in every bite.

Weeknight dinners demand quick, filling meals that pack serious flavor.

This one-pan wonder brings together perfectly seasoned ground beef with tender, golden potatoes in a mouthwatering combination.

Sautéed onions and herbs add depth to the robust dish that comes together in less than 30 minutes.

Home cooks appreciate how effortlessly this skillet meal feeds hungry families without complicated techniques.

Each forkful delivers a comforting blend of protein and potatoes that feels like a warm culinary hug.

Grab your skillet and prepare for a meal that’ll become an instant household favorite.

Ingredients for Ground Beef & Potatoes Skillet

• Ground Beef: A hearty and flavorful meat that forms the base of this skillet dish.

• Potatoes, Onion, Garlic: These vegetables add depth, sweetness, and aromatic complexity to the recipe.

• Olive Oil, Salt, Black Pepper, Tomato Paste, Beef Broth, Worcestershire Sauce: These ingredients contribute to the rich, savory profile of the dish, helping to develop deep flavors and create a delicious sauce.

Skillet Recipe Step-by-Step

Step 1: Prepare The Cooking Surface

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Spread the ground beef evenly across the pan, seasoning with salt and black pepper.

Allow the meat to sear without moving for about 3 minutes to develop a rich, golden-brown crust.

Step 2: Break And Brown The Beef

Stir and chop the ground beef into smaller pieces.

Continue cooking for 2 additional minutes until the meat is completely browned and develops a deep, savory flavor.

Step 3: Caramelize The Onions

• Onions

Mix with the browned beef and cook for 3 minutes.

Watch for the onions to become translucent and develop a slight golden color, releasing their sweet undertones.

Step 4: Enhance With Aromatics

• Minced garlic
• Tomato paste

Stir thoroughly and cook for 1-2 minutes.

The mixture will darken and release an intense, rich aroma that adds depth to the dish.

Step 5: Build The Hearty Base

• Cubed potatoes
• Beef broth
• Worcestershire sauce

Combine all ingredients, ensuring the potatoes are completely coated with the flavorful liquid.

Step 6: Simmer To Perfection

Cover the skillet and reduce heat to medium-low.

Cook for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally.

The potatoes should become tender when pierced with a fork.

Add extra broth if the mixture becomes too dry.

Step 7: Final Flavor Adjustment

Taste the skillet and adjust seasoning as needed.

Add an extra pinch of salt to elevate the overall flavor profile.

Serve hot and enjoy the comforting, rustic meal.

Skillet Cooking Tips That Help

• Let the ground beef sit undisturbed initially to develop a beautiful golden-brown crust, which locks in rich, meaty flavors and creates a delicious caramelized texture.
• Stir the skillet occasionally and add extra broth if potatoes start to stick, ensuring even cooking and preventing burning or scorching of ingredients.
• Caramelize tomato paste and onions thoroughly to enhance the overall taste profile, creating a more complex and satisfying dish with deeper umami notes.
• Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based meat alternatives for a lighter or vegetarian version while maintaining the recipe's core flavor structure.
• Taste and adjust salt incrementally near the end of cooking, as broth and Worcestershire sauce already contribute significant seasoning to the skillet.

How to Keep the Skillet Dish Fresh

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Seal tightly and keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Ensure the container is clean and the food has cooled completely before storing.
• Transfer cooled skillet contents to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air, seal securely, and freeze for 2-3 months. Label with the date and contents for easy tracking.
• Place portion in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel to retain moisture. Heat on medium power in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval. Check internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety.
• Warm skillet over medium-low heat. Add a splash of beef broth to prevent drying. Stir gently and frequently until heated thoroughly, about 5-7 minutes. Maintain a gentle heat to preserve texture and prevent burning.

Good Pairings for Beef & Potato Skillet

• Flavor-Boosting Wine Pairing: Select a medium-bodied red wine like Zinfandel or Syrah to complement the rich, savory ground beef and enhance the dish's robust flavors.
• Refreshing Beer Match: Choose a crisp amber ale or a malty brown ale that cuts through the dish's richness while harmonizing with the hearty beef and potato combination.
• Zesty Side Drink Companion: Prepare a tangy homemade lemonade with fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme to provide a bright, citrusy contrast against the skillet's deep, meaty profile.
• Perfect Complementary Salad: Whip up a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette and shaved parmesan to balance the skillet's heaviness and add a fresh, peppery counterpoint.

Variations on the Skillet Recipe

• Lean Protein Power: Swap ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a lower-fat alternative that keeps the dish protein-packed and satisfying.
• Vegetarian Comfort Bowl: Replace ground meat with plant-based crumbles or diced mushrooms to create a hearty vegetarian version that maintains the skillet's rich texture and flavor profile.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Remix: Substitute potatoes with cauliflower florets for a keto-friendly adaptation that reduces carbohydrates while preserving the dish's comforting essence and savory seasonings.
• Mediterranean-Inspired Fusion: Transform the recipe by adding crumbled feta cheese, diced bell peppers, and a sprinkle of oregano to introduce Mediterranean flavors and create a vibrant, Mediterranean-style skillet meal.

FAQs

• Is ground beef healthier than other meats?

Ground beef provides protein, iron, and zinc. Lean versions (90% lean) offer less fat. Choose grass-fed beef for better nutritional profile.

• Can I use different types of potatoes?

Waxy potatoes like red or Yukon gold work best. They hold shape better and provide creamy texture during cooking. Avoid starchy potatoes like russet that might break apart.

• How do I prevent beef from becoming tough?

Brown beef in single layer without overcrowding. Let it sear undisturbed first, then break into pieces. Avoid stirring too frequently and cook on medium-high heat to maintain tenderness.

• What makes Worcestershire sauce important in this recipe?

Worcestershire sauce adds umami flavor, depth, and slight tanginess. It enhances meat’s natural taste and provides subtle complexity to the overall dish.

What Makes This Skillet a Favorite

• Combines perfectly browned ground beef, caramelized onions, and tender potatoes for a hearty, satisfying dish that feels like a warm hug on a plate.
• Affordable ingredients create a filling meal that feeds multiple people without breaking the bank, making it ideal for weeknight dinners or large family gatherings.
• Easily adaptable recipe allows home cooks to experiment with additional seasonings, vegetables, or toppings to suit personal taste preferences and dietary needs.

Ground Beef And Potatoes Skillet Recipe

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4.8 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Hearty ground beef and potatoes skillet delivers comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen, promising a satisfying meal that warms hearts. Quick one-pan magic brings families together with simple, wholesome ingredients you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 1 pound Ground Beef (use sirloin, chuck, or round)

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 small Onion (finely diced)
• 3–4 Garlic Cloves (minced)
• 1 pound Russet Potato (peeled and cut into roughly 1/2 inch cubes)
• 1 tablespoon Chopped Parsley for garnish (optional)

Seasonings and Liquids:

• 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
• 1.5 teaspoons Salt (kosher salt)
• 0.25 teaspoon Black Pepper
• 1 tablespoon Tomato Paste
• 0.5 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
• 0.5 cup Beef Broth

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Instructions

1. Prepare a skillet and heat olive oil over medium-high temperature until it shimmers, creating a perfect searing environment for the ground beef.
2. Introduce ground beef into the hot skillet, strategically spreading it in a single layer. Sprinkle with salt and black pepper, allowing the meat to develop a rich golden crust without stirring for approximately 3 minutes.
3. Aggressively break the beef into smaller fragments, ensuring even browning while continuing to cook for an additional 2 minutes until the meat achieves a deep, caramelized appearance.
4. Incorporate diced onions into the beef, stirring continuously for 3 minutes until they become translucent and begin to release their sweet, aromatic qualities.
5. Introduce minced garlic and tomato paste, mixing thoroughly and cooking for 1-2 minutes to intensify the flavor profile and create a rich, deep color.
6. Gently fold in cubed potatoes, beef broth, and Worcestershire sauce, ensuring each potato piece is generously coated with the savory mixture.
7. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover the skillet, and allow the ingredients to simmer for 20-25 minutes, periodically stirring to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
8. Verify potato tenderness by piercing with a fork, and make final seasoning adjustments to elevate the dish’s overall taste complexity.

Notes

• Sear the beef without stirring initially to develop a rich, caramelized flavor that adds depth to the entire dish.
• Choose lean ground beef (90/10) to reduce excess grease while maintaining moisture and preventing a greasy final result.
• Dice potatoes uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the skillet meal.
• Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter, healthier alternative that still delivers robust flavor.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 430
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 930 mg
• Fat: 27 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg