Ground Beef and Potatoes

Ground Beef and Potatoes is a humble weeknight dinner the whole family will love! It’s made with tender potatoes, savory beef, and melty cheese for a hearty meal packed with amazing flavor. 

Want more one-pan comfort food recipes? Try Chicken Tortellini Alfredo, Skillet Lasagna Recipe, and One Pot Taco Pasta Recipe!

This Ground Beef and Potatoes recipe is the perfect solution for when you need something simple and satisfying. It’s a budget-friendly and customizable!

The one-pan approach makes cleanup a breeze, so you can focus on relaxing with a hot, hearty dinner. 

Plus, it’s made with pantry staples, so there’s no need to run to the store—just grab what you have and get cooking!

Why we love this beef and potatoes skillet recipe:

• Perfect for busy weeknights: This recipe takes 35 minutes to make, making it the perfect weeknight comfort food!
• One pan: This easy recipe is made in one skillet for easy cleanup. 
• Clean out the fridge: This recipe is perfect for using up any extra veggies you might have lying around in your fridge!

Easy Ground Beef and Potato recipe ingredients:

• Oil: use a neutral cooking oil like avocado oil, vegetable oil, or canola oil, as these have a higher smoke point.
• Potatoes: use any potatoes you like, like Yukon gold, red potatoes, or russet potatoes. You could also use sweet potatoes for a sweeter flavor!
• Onion: adds flavor and texture, but you could swap it out with onion powder if you need. 
• Bell pepper: I add bell pepper for flavor and veggies, but you can leave these out if you’re not a fan!
• Lean ground beef: I use lean ground beef, so I don’t have to soak up any excess grease! If you have regular ground beef, drain the excess fat.
• Tomato paste: adds a depth of umami flavor. 
• Garlic: fresh garlic will have the best flavor, but you can use pre-minced garlic or garlic powder.
• Spices: I use a combination of salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, and ground mustard, but feel free to play around with other seasonings to get your desired taste.
• Chicken broth: Use low-sodium chicken broth to reduce the salt content. You could also use low-sodium beef broth as well!
• Tomato sauce: use plain tomato sauce or marinara for a bit of extra flavor. 
• Cream: use half and half or heavy cream to add extra creaminess to the dish! If you don’t want the dish to be creamy, you can leave it out. 
• Cheese: shredded mozzarella cheese makes this dish super comforting and cozy. You can use pre-shredded cheese or shred your own from a block! If you don’t like mozzarella, feel free to use another type like Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, white cheddar, cheddar, etc. 
• Garnish: I like to add some chopped fresh parsley or green onions on top for a bit of extra flavor. 

How to make this Ground Beef and Potatoes recipe:

It’s super easy to make this one-pan recipe! For more detailed recipe instructions, scroll down to the recipe card. 

• Heat oil in a large skillet, add the diced potatoes, and cook until they start to soften and brown a bit.
• Stir in onion and bell pepper, cooking until the onion turns translucent.

• Add ground beef, cooking until browned, then drain any excess fat.
• Mix in tomato paste, garlic, and seasonings, stirring briefly.

• Add broth, tomato sauce, and cream. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook until potatoes are tender.
• Top with shredded cheese, cover until melted, then garnish and serve.

Variations and Substitutions

• Flavor: For a bit more umami flavor, do a couple dashes of Worcestershire sauce.
• Spice: If you want to make this recipe spicier, add some hot sauce, chopped jalapeños, or extra red pepper flakes. 
• Potatoes: Swap the potatoes with hash browns and the beef for breakfast sausage for a breakfast twist!
• Meat: Swap the ground beef for ground turkey or ground chicken for a leaner option. If you prefer a more decadent version, swap out the ground beef for ground pork or sausage!
• Veggies: Feel free to add some chopped broccoli, green beans, cauliflower, carrots, or mushrooms to the mix!

How to store leftovers?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop over medium heat. 

Can I freeze this recipe?

I don’t typically recommend freezing potato dishes as the potatoes can take on a funny texture after thawing. 

Serving suggestions:

If you serve this recipe for dinner, serve up some Roasted Vegetables or Roasted Green Beans as a side. 

You can also never go wrong with one of my Mom’s Homemade Buns, these soft and fluffy Homemade Dinner Rolls Recipe or some Garlic Bread!

More one-pan comfort food dinners you’ll love:

• One Pan Sausage and Rice — another one that’s big on flavor!
• Stuffed Pepper Casserole — if you’ve got a bunch of peppers to use up.
• BEST Hamburger Helper Recipe — this one always goes over well with the kids!
• One Pot Teriyaki Chicken, Rice and Vegetables — super quick to prep!