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Ground Beef Potato Dinner Recipe – Easy Cozy Fall Comfort Meal

ground beef potato dinner - featured image

A hearty, comforting one-pan meal featuring savory ground beef, golden potatoes, and sweet caramelized onions, perfect for cozy fall evenings or busy weeknights. This family-friendly recipe is easy to make, budget-friendly, and endlessly adaptable.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (85% lean preferred)
  • 4 medium Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes (about 2 lbs), scrubbed and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 1 large carrot, peeled and diced (optional)
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 tsp salt, plus more to taste
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper, plus more to taste
  • 1 cup frozen peas (optional)
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional, for topping)
  • Fresh parsley, chopped, for serving

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients: Wash and dice potatoes into 1/2-inch cubes. Dice onion and carrot, mince garlic, and measure out seasonings. Shred cheese if using block cheese. (Optional: Soak potatoes in cold water for 5 minutes, then drain and pat dry.)
  2. Brown the beef: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, breaking it up as it cooks. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook until browned and no pink remains, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
  3. Sauté the vegetables: Push beef to the side of the pan (or remove with a slotted spoon). Add remaining olive oil, then onions, carrots, and potatoes. Toss to combine. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are soft and potatoes start to get golden, about 5 minutes.
  4. Season and simmer: Add garlic, smoked paprika, thyme, and another pinch of salt and pepper. Cook for 1 minute, stirring, until fragrant. Pour in beef broth. Bring to a simmer, scraping up browned bits from the pan. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until potatoes are tender and most of the broth is absorbed.
  5. Finish and serve: Stir in frozen peas and half of the cheese, if using. Cook for 2-3 minutes, just until peas are bright green and cheese is melted. Taste and adjust seasoning. Top with remaining cheese, cover for a minute to melt, then sprinkle with fresh parsley. Serve hot.

Notes

For crispier potatoes, soak them in cold water for 5 minutes and pat dry before cooking. Don’t overcrowd the pan to avoid steaming the potatoes. Adjust broth as needed for desired consistency. For a dairy-free version, omit cheese or use plant-based cheese. Substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version. Leftovers taste even better the next day and can be frozen for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: ground beef, potato dinner, comfort food, skillet meal, fall recipe, easy dinner, one pan, family meal, weeknight dinner, cozy, beef and potatoes