If you’re looking for a hearty, crowd-pleasing dinner that’s ready in under an hour, this Beef and Potato Skillet is about to become your new best friend! Picture golden potatoes, savory ground beef, caramelized veggies, and bold seasonings — all working together in one pan for a meal that’s pure comfort with every bite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- One-Skillet Simplicity: Everything cooks together in one pan, making cleanup easy and ensuring maximum flavor in every bite!
- Big Comfort, Fast: You get all the savory satisfaction of classic comfort food — on your table in less than 40 minutes.
- Everyday Ingredients: The Beef and Potato Skillet relies on pantry staples and simple produce you probably already have at home.
- Customizable for Any Craving: It’s easy to adapt with your favorite veggies, spices, and toppings — the perfect “clean out the fridge” meal.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What I truly love about this Beef and Potato Skillet is how it transforms the humblest ingredients into something special. Each element adds its own pop of flavor, texture, and color — and together, they’ll make your kitchen smell absolutely incredible.
- Canola oil: Creates that perfect crispy exterior on the potatoes while keeping everything from sticking to the pan.
- Potatoes (Yukon golds): Their creamy texture and golden color soak up all the seasonings and make every bite satisfyingly hearty.
- 93% lean ground beef: Lean beef keeps it lighter, but still brings plenty of juicy, savory flavor to the skillet.
- Yellow onion: As it softens, it builds a sweet, aromatic base that complements the beef beautifully.
- Red bell pepper: Adds vibrant color and a gentle sweetness that brightens up the whole dish.
- Worcestershire sauce: This is the “secret” savory splash that deepens the umami flavor profile.
- Dijon mustard: Just a touch brings a tangy punch that keeps things interesting.
- Smoked paprika: Lends a subtle smoky element that makes the skillet taste like it’s been simmering all day.
- Garlic powder: Blends seamlessly with the other spices for one unified, aromatic hit.
- Dried oregano: Gives the whole dish a herby warmth that rounds out the flavor.
- Kosher salt & black pepper: Essential for bringing out all the flavors of the main ingredients.
- Hot sauce (like sriracha): Adds just the right amount of heat — super easy to adjust for your preferred spice level.
- Green onions: Their crisp freshness is the cherry on top when serving.
- For serving: Greek yogurt or sour cream, shredded cheddar, and your favorite rice or cauliflower rice (if you want to make it even more filling!).
Variations
The beauty of a Beef and Potato Skillet is how flexible it is — you can mix things up depending on what you’re craving or what’s in your fridge! Don’t be afraid to make it your own and try a new twist every time.
- Swap the Protein: Try ground turkey, chicken, or even a plant-based ground for a lighter or vegetarian spin.
- Play with Veggies: Stir in chopped spinach, kale, peas, or corn for extra color and nutrition.
- Cheesy Upgrade: Scatter shredded cheddar or pepper jack over the skillet in the last minute so it gets melty and gooey on top.
- Global Flair: Add a sprinkle of cumin and top with fresh cilantro for a southwestern vibe, or try a dash of curry powder for something new.
How to Make Beef and Potato Skillet
Step 1: Sauté the Potatoes
Start by heating the canola oil in a large skillet over high heat. Once the oil is shimmering (you want it nice and hot!), reduce the heat to medium and add your diced potatoes. Stir often to get those little cubes golden and starting to soften, but still a little too firm to eat — you want that golden edge as the foundation flavor. This should take about 6 minutes.
Step 2: Brown the Beef and Vegetables
Add the ground beef, diced onion, and bell pepper directly to the skillet with potatoes. Use a spoon or spatula to break the beef up as it cooks, spreading the onion and bell pepper around. Cook until the beef is mostly browned and the veggies start to soften. The sizzle and aroma will let you know things are heading in the right direction!
Step 3: Season and Simmer
It’s time for the magic! Sprinkle in the Worcestershire sauce, Dijon, smoked paprika, garlic powder, oregano, salt, pepper, and your chosen amount of hot sauce. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally and breaking up the beef even more. The potatoes and onions should become tender and the beef completely cooked through, about 6–8 more minutes. Your kitchen will smell incredible!
Step 4: Finish and Serve
Stir in the sliced green onions and taste for seasoning, adding a little more salt or hot sauce if you like it bold. Serve your Beef and Potato Skillet hot from the pan, with any of your favorite toppings — a dollop of Greek yogurt, a sprinkle of cheddar, or a bed of rice. Enjoy immediately!
Pro Tips for Making Beef and Potato Skillet
- Crispy Potato Perfection: Give those potatoes enough space in the pan so they can brown rather than steam — resist the urge to crowd them!
- Bold Flavor Layering: Add the spices and sauces after browning for maximum impact; they’ll caramelize onto the beef and veggies instead of disappearing into the oil.
- Heat Control: Once the potatoes are golden, lower the heat for the rest of the cook to prevent burning while everything gets tender and flavors meld together.
- Topping Trick: For even meltier cheese or a runny egg topper, pop the skillet under the broiler for a minute right before serving.
How to Serve Beef and Potato Skillet
Garnishes
This skillet begs for a finishing flourish! I love a generous sprinkle of green onions and a dollop of Greek yogurt or sour cream, which add creamy coolness to contrast all that savory warmth. Try a pinch of cheddar (the sharper, the better!) or fresh parsley for extra color and flavor.
Side Dishes
The Beef and Potato Skillet is beautifully filling on its own, but it plays well with others. Serve it over fluffy brown rice, cauliflower rice, or even a simple salad if you want something light and tangy alongside. Warm crusty bread is never the wrong move if you want to soak up every last bite.
Creative Ways to Present
For fun, serve it family-style straight from the skillet for that rustic, communal feel. Or, scoop it into individual bowls and top each with a personalized combo of cheese, yogurt, and hot sauce. For brunch, try transforming leftovers into a hash and top with fried eggs!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Beef and Potato Skillet keeps beautifully! Transfer any extras to an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to three days. The flavors actually deepen after they’ve had a chance to sit together overnight.
Freezing
While you can freeze most skillet dinners, I don’t recommend freezing this one. Potatoes tend to become grainy or mealy when thawed, which takes away from that cozy, satisfying texture. Fresh is really best here!
Reheating
To reheat, warm the leftovers gently in a skillet over medium-low heat until piping hot. For extra crunch, let the potatoes and beef sit undisturbed for a couple of minutes to crisp up the bottom before stirring. A microwave also works in a pinch — just cover lightly to keep things moist.
FAQs
-
Can I use a different type of potato?
Absolutely! Yukon golds are great for their creamy texture, but russets or even red potatoes also work very well. If you use waxy potatoes, cut them nice and small so they cook through quickly.
-
Is the Beef and Potato Skillet spicy?
This recipe is easy to tailor to your spice preference. The hot sauce adds heat, but you can start with a little and adjust to make it as mild or fiery as you like. Serve extra hot sauce at the table for those who love a kick!
-
Can I make the Beef and Potato Skillet ahead?
Yes, you can prepare it a day in advance and store it in the fridge. The flavors will deepen overnight! Reheat gently on the stovetop for best results and top with fresh garnishes before serving.
-
What protein alternatives can I use?
Swap out ground beef for ground turkey, chicken, or your favorite plant-based ground meat — just follow the same steps and season to taste. The recipe is very forgiving and works with a variety of proteins.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving something cozy, customizable, and weeknight-easy, you can’t go wrong with this Beef and Potato Skillet. It’s the kind of meal that brings everyone to the table — and always has them asking for seconds. Give it a try and make it your own; I know you’ll love it as much as I do!
Print
Beef and Potato Skillet Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Stovetop
- Method: Stovetop
Description
This hearty and flavorful Ground Beef and Potatoes recipe is a satisfying one-pan dish perfect for a weeknight dinner. Tender potatoes, lean ground beef, and a blend of savory spices come together to create a comforting meal that the whole family will love.
Ingredients
For the Ground Beef and Potatoes:
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 1 pound potatoes, peeled and diced into 1/4-inch cubes (Yukon golds recommended)
- 1 pound 93% lean ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 to 2 teaspoons hot sauce (such as sriracha)
- 2 green onions, sliced
For Serving:
- Non-fat plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Cooked brown rice or cauliflower rice
- Extra hot sauce
Instructions
- Cook Potatoes: Heat oil in a skillet over high heat. Add potatoes and cook until golden and tender but still firm, about 6 minutes.
- Add Ingredients: Add ground beef, onion, bell pepper. Cook, breaking apart the meat.
- Season: Mix in Worcestershire sauce, mustard, paprika, garlic powder, oregano, salt, pepper, and hot sauce. Cook until ingredients are tender and beef is cooked through.
- Finish and Serve: Stir in green onions. Adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot with toppings like Greek yogurt, cheese, or rice.
Notes
- Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days.
- To reheat, warm gently in a skillet. Leftovers can be served as a hash with a fried egg.
- Not recommended for freezing due to potential texture changes in the potatoes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: Approximately 410 calories
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
