Turn a few pantry staples into a hearty one-pan dinner with this easy weeknight Ground Beef and Potatoes recipe!
We all have them—our favorite recipes that come together quickly and require only a few simple ingredients. Ground beef and potatoes are one of those one-skillet dinners that can be easily thrown together for a delicious and nutritious meal on a busy night.
Most of the ingredients listed here, such as salt, pepper, paprika, oregano, onions, and garlic, are common kitchen staples. The only other things you need are a pound each of potatoes and ground beef. It really doesn’t get much simpler than that. The hardest part I find is resisting the urge to roam around the grocery store to see what’s new or on sale. If I run in with tunnel vision and quickly grab the meat and potatoes, I can avoid those beckoning aisles.
If you think I’m joking, think again. Grocery shopping was my “me time” when the kids were little. These days, it is still therapeutic to roam the aisles in search of something new. My friends laugh at how long I can stay in a grocery store.
Yes, I digressed again, so let’s return to discussing this recipe. I like to think of it as a healthier version of hamburgers and French fries, but without the bun and extra grease. After all, it contains the same ingredients—beef and potatoes. The addition of onions and spices elevates it to a flavorful dinner that will appeal to even the pickiest diners in your home.
Easy add-ins for your one-pan dinner
This recipe is easy to customize. You can add any vegetables, pasta, cooked lentils, rice, or beans to improve the nutritional profile while also helping increase the servings. Another option is to sprinkle in your favorite cheese, either on top or stirred into the skillet towards the end. Consider it your skillet version of a “cheeseburger in paradise” without the bun—Jimmy Buffett fans know what I’m talking about.
You can also enhance the flavor profile by adding a bit of sauce to the dish. Simply stir in some Worcestershire sauce (1 tablespoon), tomato paste (1 tablespoon), and Dijon mustard (1 teaspoon). Alternatively, if you prefer a spicy kick, add a few drops (or more) of hot sauce.
How do I store leftovers?
Allow the leftovers to come to room temperature and then refrigerate them in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Do not freeze this dish, as frozen potatoes can turn mealy. Reheat any leftover ground beef and potatoes on the stove over medium-low heat until warm. You may need to add 1 to 2 tablespoons of water to restore moisture after refrigeration.
Serving suggestions
Ground beef and potatoes provide protein and starch, so let’s focus on some ideal vegetable-forward side dishes to accompany this meal. You can begin with a nice Spring Salad, Strawberry-Walnut Salad, or Olive Garden Salad. If you prefer your veggies cooked, try Orange-Glazed Carrots, Microwave Broccoli, or Roasted Green Beans. Add some Crème Brûlée Cookies or Lemon Cupcakes for dessert, and you have a delicious meal for any day of the week.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 pound potatoes peeled and diced into 1/2-inch cubes
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 large onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 3/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- Green onions chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced potatoes and cook for about 10 minutes, or until they are lightly golden and nearly tender.
- Move the potatoes to one side of the skillet. Add the ground beef to the empty spot and break it apart with a spatula. Cook until the meat is browned.
- Stir in the diced onion and minced garlic; season with salt, black pepper, paprika, and dried oregano.
- Cook for about 5 minutes until the onions are soft and the potatoes are tender. Adjust the seasonings as necessary and remove from heat. Garnish with green onions.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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