Why We Love this Italian Ground Beef and Potatoes Recipe
If you need a filling dinner in a flash, you know your best bet is an easy one-pan meal. Bonus points if it only takes about 30 minutes to make! And what makes it a true winning weeknight recipe is that it is budget-friendly as well. So here we go: Easy? Check. Quick? Check. Wallet-friendly? Check. There you have it – Ground Beef with Potatoes is the ultimate meat and potatoes dish! If you’ve got a package of ground beef in your fridge or freezer, and a bag of potatoes, you can make an amazing hearty meal the whole family will love. This Italian-style recipe is similar to a skillet hash, but a little saucier. We combine ground beef, garlic, onions, herbs, and tomatoes. But instead of serving it over pasta, we simmer potatoes, right in the sauce. This creates a fabulous one-pot skillet meal that comes together with very little effort.
Ingredients You Need
Olive oil – or other high-heat and neutral-tasting oil, like canola or avocado oil Ground beef – 85% fat has a great ratio of meaty goodness without getting oily, or use lean ground beef Garlic – minced Red onion – peeled and diced Italian seasoning – our homemade Italian spice blend is the best! Canned diced tomatoes – plus water Russet potatoes – peeled and cut into cubes Crushed red pepper – optional, for a nice kick of spicy heat Salt and pepper – just a pinch of each Fresh parsley – adds a pop of fresh flavor Asiago or parmesan cheese – shredded, to finish the dish
How to Make One-Pan Ground Beef and Potatoes
Set out a large 14-inch sauté pan, large skillet, or a 6-quart pot. Set over medium to medium-high heat. Add the oil to the skillet. Once hot, add in the ground beef, garlic, onions, and Italian seasoning. Salt and pepper liberally. Break the meat apart with a wooden spoon. Stir and sauté until the beef is cooked through and the onions are soft. While the beef is cooking, peel and chop the potatoes. Pour the canned tomatoes into the skillet, plus water. Then stir in the chopped potatoes and crushed red pepper. Stir and simmer for at least 15 minutes until the texture of the potatoes is fork-tender. Taste, and season with additional salt and pepper if needed. Stir in fresh chopped parsley. The consistency of the dish should be thick yet slightly saucy. Serve the hamburger potato casserole warm with a good sprinkle of cheese over the top. You can use parmesan, Asiago, or shredded cheddar cheese! If you want a melty layer of cheese on top, pop the cast iron skillet into the oven and turn the broiler on for a few minutes, until the cheese is bubbly! If your pan is not oven-safe, transfer it to a baking dish, add the cheese, and then broil!
Tips & Tricks
Like it spicy? You can add crushed red pepper flakes and/or a dash of cayenne pepper, for an extra kick! Add some veggies! Feel free to add extra veggies like bell peppers, carrots, and zucchini! You can use any kind of potatoes that you have on hand! Brown potatoes, aka russet potatoes, or Yukon potatoes would both work well. You can also use red potatoes if you have those on hand!
Serving Suggestions
This ground beef and potatoes one-pan recipe is an entire meal in itself. It is enough for 4-6 generous servings, so it’s perfect for a quick family dinner! It is lovely served over a bed of basmati rice or creamy mashed potatoes. For a full spread, you might consider serving the saucy dish with some homemade Garlic Bread, Cheesy Garlic Pull-Apart Bread, or Homemade Breadsticks. And including a fresh green salad is always a great idea! You can also serve this ground beef casserole for breakfast with a fried egg or scrambled eggs and a tortilla!
Can I make this one-skillet recipe with other proteins?
Yes! Like most ground beef and potatoes recipes, you can easily swap the beef with ground chicken or turkey. I suggest dark meat poultry though for the juiciest and flavorful meat.
How do I make this a vegetarian one-pan dinner recipe?
Use your choice of ground meat replacement, like plant-based meatless crumbles. It would also be great with pre-cooked lentils! This substitution also makes this a vegan recipe, if you omit the cheese!
Is this one-pot recipe gluten-free?
Yes, it is! There is no wheat product or all-purpose flour in this dish; the potatoes help to thicken the tomato sauce.
How long do leftovers last?
This Italian ground beef and potatoes recipe can be stored and saved for later! Transfer cooled leftovers to an airtight container, and keep them in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Can you freeze Italian beef and potatoes?
Technically yes you can, but note that the potatoes will become softer when thawed and reheated. But it will still taste good! Let the leftovers cool and transfer them to an airtight container. Keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Looking for More Easy One-Pan Dinner Recipes? Be Sure to Also Try:
Rustic Hungarian Goulash Homemade Hamburger Helper One-Pot American Goulash Creamy Skillet Cajun Chicken and Mushrooms Parmesan Lemon Chicken and Rice
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