It’s flavorful enough to hold my attention, satisfying enough to keep me full, and nutritious enough to be a worthy addition to our healthy dinner rotation. A mixture of potatoes, lean ground beef, onion, bell pepper, and spices, this beef and potatoes skillet will appeal to picky eaters and discerning palates alike. Most often, the phrase “meat and potatoes” means a lack of eating adventure. A “meat and potatoes” person shies away from green vegetables, plant-based proteins like tofu, and spices. As someone who embraces a diverse diet and certainly doesn’t want to waste her time on bland food, I am biased in the opposite direction. How could meat and potatoes possibly be anything but boooorrrrring? Well my meat and potatoes friends, I hereby admit the fault of my prejudice. It turns out that you’ve been onto something all along. Lean ground beef is a versatile protein. It’s healthy in moderation (beef is packed with protein, iron, zinc, and vitamin B12) and when used in recipes that incorporate other important food groups, especially vegetables. Most often, my healthy ground beef recipes are inspired by world cuisines, like this Taco Skillet and this Korean Beef Bowl. Until this simple skillet recipe came along, it didn’t occur to me to cook beef with something as basic as white potatoes, because I assumed the results would be ho-hum. Ummmmm, this assumption is from the same girl who easily demolished an entire sheet pan of these Oven Roasted Potatoes by herself and who happily eats a Potato Frittata three days in a row for lunch. Nice logic, Erin. (Ben I am sure would be happy to give you endless examples of my contradictory behaviors, but we’ll save that for a different post. Or never.) While the ingredient list here looks basic, the results are anything but dull. This ground beef and potatoes skillet is homey and classic to be certain—so yes, the “meat and potatoes” persons in your life will approve—but it’s also interesting enough to appease those seeking more from their meal. What we have is a ground beef dinner idea for all!

How to Make Ground Beef and Potatoes

Not only is this ground beef skillet sure to be embraced by everyone at your table, but it’s also easy to make and quick to clean up. You can cook ground beef and vegetables together in the same skillet, leaving you just one pan to wash in the end.

The Ingredients

Lean Ground Beef. The flavorful and scrumptious meat for this dish. I don’t typically use oil with ground beef (the fat in the beef is sufficient enough for it to cook without sticking), but if your beef is ultra lean and your pan seems dry at any point, you can drizzle in a bit of oil to prevent sticking.Potatoes. Tender cubed potatoes are a slam dunk pairing with the ground beef (or mash them with ground beef like in Shepherd’s Pie). They’re nutritious, crowd-pleasing, and pair beautifully with the spices in this dish. Red Bell Pepper. Adds a touch of color, freshness, and sweetness.Worcestershire Sauce. Gives the dish depth and umami flavor. Dijon Mustard. Its tanginess pairs wonderfully with the potatoes. Spices. A blend of smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and oregano elevates this dish from bland to something truly craveable. Hot Sauce. For a delicious kick! Use a lot or use a little to fit your taste preferences.

The Directions

Storage Tips

To Store. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight storage container for up to 3 days. To Reheat. Gently rewarm beef and potatoes in a skillet over medium-low heat. To Freeze. I do not recommend freezing this dish, as potatoes can have a mealy texture when thawed. 

Dutch Oven. One of my most-used kitchen tools. Hamburger Chopper. The perfect tool for breaking apart the ground beef. Spatula. My favorite heat-resistant spatula.

Meat and potatoes, I’ll never prejudge you again! Can we be friends?

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