If you’re looking for cozy, honest-to-goodness comfort food that comes together in one pan, you have to try this Beef and Potato Skillet. Bursting with tender potatoes, savory ground beef, and a rainbow of veggies, it’s a weeknight wonder that’s hearty, healthy, and packed with flavor in every bite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- One-Pan Magic: Everything for this Beef and Potato Skillet cooks up in a single skillet—goodbye, endless dishes and hello, easy cleanup!
- Family-Friendly Flavors: It’s packed with familiar, hearty ingredients like potatoes and ground beef but layered with spices, veggies, and a pop of hot sauce to keep things exciting for everyone at the table.
- Quick & Customizable: The whole thing is ready in just over half an hour and can be tailored with whatever’s in your fridge or adapted for different dietary needs.
- Perfect for Leftovers: The flavors get even better the next day, making this a fantastic meal-prep or make-ahead solution.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of the Beef and Potato Skillet lies in its simplicity—these everyday pantry staples and fresh ingredients work together to bring big, bold flavor and beautiful color to your table. Here’s why each component matters:
- Canola oil: This neutral oil helps brown the potatoes and beef perfectly without overpowering the other flavors.
- Yukon Gold potatoes: Their creamy texture and slight sweetness become golden and tender—ideal for soaking up savory juices.
- 93% lean ground beef: Lean but juicy enough for flavor, it crumbles beautifully and adds hearty protein to every bite.
- Yellow onion: Adds sweetness and depth as it cooks down with the beef and potatoes.
- Red bell pepper: Brings a gentle crunch, a pop of color, and a subtle sweetness that brightens the whole skillet.
- Worcestershire sauce: This secret ingredient gives umami richness and depth, enhancing the beefy goodness.
- Dijon mustard: For a little zippy tang that cuts through and balances the richness of the beef and potatoes.
- Smoked paprika: Layers in smoky warmth and vivid color—a must for elevated flavor.
- Garlic powder: Delivers mellow, savory notes without the fuss of mincing fresh garlic.
- Dried oregano: A touch of herbaceous, warm flavor that rounds out the dish.
- Kosher salt + black pepper: The essential seasoning duo for highlighting every other ingredient.
- Hot sauce (sriracha): Adds a gentle kick! Adjust for your heat preference or swap for your favorite hot sauce.
- Green onions: Sprinkled at the end, they add fresh bite and a burst of color that makes everything pop.
- For serving: Greek yogurt or sour cream, shredded cheddar, cooked brown rice or cauliflower rice, extra hot sauce: All delicious choices for turning your skillet dinner into a full meal—pick your favorites!
Variations
One of the best things about the Beef and Potato Skillet is just how easy it is to tweak to suit your cravings, dietary needs, or whatever odds and ends you have on hand. Here are some simple ways to mix things up:
- Swap the protein: Try ground turkey, chicken, or even a plant-based meat for a lighter spin.
- Get creative with vegetables: Mushrooms, spinach, or zucchini can be tossed in to boost nutrition and stretch the recipe further.
- Make it dairy-free: Skip the cheese and Greek yogurt, or use your favorite dairy-free alternatives for topping.
- Switch up the spices: Add cumin or chili powder for Tex-Mex vibes, or Italian seasoning for a Mediterranean flair.
How to Make Beef and Potato Skillet
Step 1: Start with the Potatoes
Heat your oil in a large skillet over high heat until shimmering—this ensures those potatoes get the delicious golden color we crave. Once the oil is ready, add your diced potatoes and reduce the heat to medium. Stir them often for about six minutes until they start turning golden and are just becoming tender (they should still hold their shape and be slightly firm to the bite).
Step 2: Add Beef and Veggies
Add the ground beef, diced onion, and red bell pepper right into the pan with the potatoes. Break apart the meat as it browns, stirring everything together so the beef and veggies mingle and start to release their wonderful aromas. The skillet should be looking colorful and inviting already!
Step 3: Season for Success
It’s time to bring the flavor! Sprinkle in the Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, garlic powder, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and your desired amount of hot sauce. Stir well to coat every potato and bit of beef in the smoky, tangy, and savory seasonings.
Step 4: Simmer Until Tender
Continue cooking and stirring, breaking up the beef further, until the potatoes and onions are fully tender and the meat is entirely cooked—about 6 to 8 minutes longer. The potatoes will be creamy inside, with edges that are just lightly crisped. Your kitchen will smell absolutely incredible right about now!
Step 5: Finish and Serve
Turn off the heat, stir in the sliced green onions for a final burst of freshness, and give everything a taste to add a pinch more salt or pepper if needed. Serve your beautiful Beef and Potato Skillet piping hot with your favorite toppings or sides.
Pro Tips for Making Beef and Potato Skillet
- Potato Size Matters: Dice your potatoes into even ¼-inch cubes so they cook quickly and evenly alongside the beef—larger chunks will take longer and may not soften in time.
- Let It Sizzle: Don’t rush the first step! Letting those potatoes get golden and a little crispy before adding everything else gives you amazing color and texture in your finished skillet.
- Season to Taste: Every hot sauce is different, so start with a little and taste as you go. You can always add more heat, but you can’t take it away!
- Finish Fresh: The green onions at the end might seem like a garnish, but they add a pop of freshness and crunch that takes the whole Beef and Potato Skillet up a notch.
How to Serve Beef and Potato Skillet
Garnishes
This is your chance to get playful! Top your Beef and Potato Skillet with dollops of cooling Greek yogurt or tangy sour cream, a shower of shredded cheddar, fresh green onions, or a dash more hot sauce for extra zing. Each adds a new layer of flavor and a pop of color.
Side Dishes
While the skillet is hearty enough to be served solo, it’s equally fantastic spooned over nutty brown rice or fluffy cauliflower rice to stretch it farther. Pair it with a zesty green salad or some simple steamed broccoli for a full, balanced meal.
Creative Ways to Present
Try turning leftovers into a rustic hash topped with a fried egg for breakfast, or serve the skillet in bell pepper “boats” for a party appetizer. You can even pile portions onto a baked potato for a twice-as-nice potato experience!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Simply pop cooled leftovers into an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to three days. The flavors meld and deepen, making reheated portions sometimes even tastier than day one!
Freezing
This recipe isn’t a great candidate for freezing—potatoes can soften and become mealy after thawing, losing their signature texture. If you want to prep ahead, store in the fridge and enjoy within a few days for best results.
Reheating
Warm your Beef and Potato Skillet gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, letting everything re-crisp and get nice and hot. Leftovers are also awesome heated up with a quick spray of oil, then served as a hash topped with a runny egg.
FAQs
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Can I use a different kind of potato for this Beef and Potato Skillet?
Absolutely! Yukon golds are wonderful for their creamy texture, but russet or red potatoes work well too—just be sure to dice them small and evenly so they cook through at the same pace.
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Is the Beef and Potato Skillet spicy with the sriracha?
You control the heat! Start with just a teaspoon of hot sauce if you’re heat-shy; add more if you love things kicked up a notch. You can even skip it entirely if serving to kids or sensitive palates.
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Can I double this recipe for meal prep?
Definitely. Use a larger skillet or work in batches so you don’t overcrowd the pan, then store leftovers in the fridge to enjoy throughout the week—this is one meal that only gets better the next day!
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What’s the best way to reheat the Beef and Potato Skillet?
Gently reheat it in a skillet over medium-low heat. You can add a splash of water or broth if needed to loosen things up. For extra yum, crisp it up and top with an egg or a sprinkle of cheese!
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving a meal that’s as satisfying as it is simple, I can’t recommend this Beef and Potato Skillet enough. It’s become a staple at my house, and I hope it becomes a new favorite in your kitchen too. Give it a try—you’ll be amazed how cozy and delicious one pan can be!
Print
Beef and Potato Skillet Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Stovetop
- Method: Stovetop
Description
A hearty and flavorful one-pan meal, this Ground Beef and Potatoes recipe is a satisfying dish perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. Tender diced potatoes are cooked with lean ground beef, onions, and bell peppers, seasoned with a blend of spices and served with optional toppings like Greek yogurt, cheese, or rice.
Ingredients
For the Ground Beef and Potatoes:
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 1 pound potatoes, peeled and diced into 1/4-inch cubes (such as Yukon golds)
- 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 the Potatoes: Heat canola oil in a skillet over high heat. Add diced potatoes and cook until golden and tender, about 6 minutes.
- Cook the Beef Mixture: Add ground beef, onion, and bell pepper. Break apart the meat and add Worcestershire sauce, mustard, paprika, garlic powder, oregano, salt, pepper, and hot sauce. Cook until beef is fully cooked, about 6 to 8 minutes.
- Finish and Serve: Stir in green onions. Adjust seasoning and serve hot, topped with desired toppings.
Notes
- Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days.
- Reheat gently in a skillet over medium-low heat.
- Not recommended for freezing due to potato texture changes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: Approximately 380 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
