When I think about comfort food, this dish of ground beef and potatoes always pops up. It’s one of those quick ground beef recipes that feels like a hug on a plate. The beef cooks up tender, the potatoes turn golden, and the whole thing comes together with simple pantry ingredients that I almost always have around. It’s hearty without being heavy, which is exactly what I need on a weeknight. I grew up with potatoes and ground beef recipes showing up at least once a week. My mom had a knack for stretching a pound of beef to feed a family of five, and somehow, nobody complained. Now when I make it, the smell instantly takes me back to that small, warm kitchen where we’d argue over who got the crispiest potato bits. I still fight for those pieces, by the way. What I love most is that recipes ground beef like this one remind me that cooking doesn’t need to be fancy. This recipe ground beef just works. It’s quick, simple, and reliable—qualities I cling to when the day’s been long. Plus, it fits neatly into the list of easy ground beef recipes I lean on again and again. If you’re hunting for ground beef recipes that make sense for real life, this one is it.

Table of Contents
- 1) Key Takeaways
- 2) Easy Ground Beef and Potatoes Skillet Recipe
- 3) Ingredients for Ground Beef and Potatoes Skillet
- 4) How to Make Ground Beef and Potatoes Skillet
- 5) Tips for Making Ground Beef and Potatoes Skillet
- 6) Making Ground Beef and Potatoes Skillet Ahead of Time
- 7) Storing Leftover Ground Beef and Potatoes Skillet
- 8) Try these main course recipes next!
- 9) Ground Beef and Potatoes Skillet
- 10) Nutrition
1) Key Takeaways
Ground beef and potatoes skillet is hearty, simple, and budget friendly. It uses everyday pantry items and requires no special tools. The recipe highlights quick ground beef recipes that work on weeknights when you crave something filling yet easy to pull together.

The dish connects to classic potatoes and ground beef recipes many families know. It blends crispy potato edges with tender beef, onion, and garlic. Each spoonful is comforting and balanced. This makes it stand out from many recipes ground beef often follows.

You can add herbs for a lift or keep it straightforward. The skillet format makes cleanup easier, which is another reason people return to this dish. Among easy ground beef recipes, this skillet keeps a permanent spot on the table.

2) Easy Ground Beef and Potatoes Skillet Recipe
This skillet recipe fits into the family dinner rotation without fuss. When I cook it, the potatoes brown on the outside and stay tender inside. The beef absorbs flavor as it sears. Onion and garlic melt into the mix and spread aroma through the kitchen.
I often prepare it when I want food that reminds me of home. The meal finishes in less than an hour and feeds four people well. Among ground beef recipes, it’s one that pleases kids and adults alike. You can serve it straight from the pan at the table.
It pairs well with a simple salad or fresh bread. The skillet stands alone as a full dinner but leaves room for sides if you want variety. Recipe ground beef works best when it feels natural, and this one does.
3) Ingredients for Ground Beef and Potatoes Skillet
Ground Beef A pound of ground beef creates the base. It brings protein and a savory depth that ties the skillet together.
Potatoes Four medium potatoes diced small. They cook until golden and carry the seasonings. They also make the dish hearty enough for dinner.
Onion One chopped onion softens into the skillet. It adds natural sweetness and blends with beef flavor.
Garlic Two cloves minced. Garlic sharpens the flavor and gives the skillet a comforting aroma.
Olive Oil A few spoons coat the pan. Oil helps potatoes crisp and prevents sticking as everything cooks.
Paprika This spice deepens color and adds a gentle warmth. It works well with beef.
Dried Thyme A small pinch balances the richness. It offers an earthy flavor that keeps the skillet grounded.
Salt and Black Pepper Simple seasonings that let beef and potatoes shine. Add to taste as the dish simmers.
Parsley Fresh parsley adds brightness at the end. It’s optional but worth using if you have it on hand.
4) How to Make Ground Beef and Potatoes Skillet
Step 1 Warm oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the pan feels hot, drop in diced potatoes. Stir them now and then until they soften and edges brown.
Step 2 Add chopped onion and garlic. Let them cook until they soften and their smell fills the kitchen. This step gives the skillet a base of flavor.
Step 3 Push potatoes to one side of the pan. Add ground beef to the other. Break it into small pieces with a spoon. Cook until the beef browns evenly.
Step 4 Stir potatoes, onion, garlic, and beef together. Sprinkle in paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper. Mix well so flavors reach each piece.
Step 5 Let everything cook for five to seven minutes. Stir sometimes until potatoes feel tender when poked with a fork. Garnish with parsley and bring to the table.
5) Tips for Making Ground Beef and Potatoes Skillet
Patience with potatoes makes a difference. Let them sit in the pan long enough to crisp without burning. Stir too often and they won’t color. Wait and they reward you with texture.
Pick ground beef with enough fat to stay juicy. Lean beef works but may dry out fast. Fat carries flavor and helps potatoes absorb the richness. I like ground chuck for this recipe.
Season as you go. A little salt at each stage builds better taste. Don’t wait until the end. Ground beef recipes turn out best when layers of seasoning blend into each bite.
6) Making Ground Beef and Potatoes Skillet Ahead of Time
This recipe holds up well if cooked ahead. Potatoes soften a little but keep flavor. The skillet can be reheated on the stove over low heat. Stir now and then to prevent sticking.
I sometimes cook it the night before a busy day. The next evening dinner feels ready in minutes. Quick ground beef recipes like this save time without cutting flavor. That’s why I trust this dish for make ahead meals.
If you store it, keep parsley separate. Fresh herbs taste brighter when added later. The rest blends fine after sitting overnight.
7) Storing Leftover Ground Beef and Potatoes Skillet
Leftovers keep in the fridge for up to three days. Place them in a covered container. When ready, reheat slowly in a skillet. A splash of oil or broth brings back moisture.
I don’t recommend freezing this recipe. Potatoes change texture and lose their appeal. Fresh storage works better. The flavor stays close to fresh when reheated this way.
Easy ground beef recipes like this skillet adapt well for next day lunches. Add it to a wrap or top with a fried egg. Leftovers turn into something new with little effort.
8) Try these main course recipes next!
9) Ground Beef and Potatoes Skillet

Quick Ground Beef Recipes with Potatoes Skillet Dinner
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 4 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add diced potatoes and cook until they start to soften and turn golden, about 10 minutes.
- Stir in onion and garlic, cooking until fragrant.
- Push potatoes to the side, add ground beef, and cook until browned.
- Mix everything together, season with paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper.
- Let it cook for another 5 to 7 minutes until potatoes are fully tender.
- Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve warm.
10) Nutrition
Serving Size One cup Calories 390 Sugar 3 g Sodium 420 mg Fat 21 g Saturated Fat 7 g Carbohydrates 28 g Fiber 3 g Protein 20 g Cholesterol 65 mg






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