Hearty Ground Beef and Potatoes
Hearty Ground Beef and Potatoes is a comforting, flavorful, and simple dish combining tender ground beef with fluffy potatoes, perfect for quick weeknight dinners and nourishing family meals. Ready in under 30 minutes, this budget-friendly, nutritious recipe offers versatility to customize with your favorite herbs, spices, or veggies for a warm and satisfying dinner.
- Author: Emilly
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 3 medium Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into bite-sized cubes
- 1 medium onion, diced finely
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings and Liquids
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper (freshly ground recommended)
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 cup beef broth or stock (ensure gluten-free if needed)
Optional Garnishes
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Chopped green onions
- Dollop of sour cream
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Begin by peeling and chopping the potatoes into bite-sized cubes. Dice the onion finely and mince the garlic cloves so they release their full aroma during cooking.
- Brown the Ground Beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spatula. Drain excess fat if necessary to keep the dish from becoming greasy.
- Sauté Onions and Garlic: Add the diced onion to the beef and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, ensuring those flavors meld nicely.
- Cook Potatoes with Broth: Stir in the potatoes, season with salt, pepper, paprika, and thyme. Pour in the beef broth or stock, then cover and simmer gently for about 15-20 minutes until the potatoes are tender and infused with flavor.
- Final Touches: Once the potatoes are tender, uncover the pan to let any excess liquid evaporate. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color and freshness if you like.
Notes
- Choose the Right Potato: Yukon Gold holds its shape better and adds creaminess without falling apart.
- Don’t Rush Browning: Let the ground beef brown fully before stirring to develop deeper flavor.
- Use Fresh Spices: Freshly ground pepper and quality paprika make a noticeable difference.
- Simmer Low and Slow: Cooking the potatoes gently ensures fluffy texture without mushiness.
- Rest Before Serving: Let the dish sit for a few minutes off the heat so flavors meld completely.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: ground beef, potatoes, comfort food, quick dinner, easy recipe, weeknight meal, gluten free, hearty, savory