Savory Ground Beef and Potatoes: Quick Comfort Skillet (Print Version)

Savory Ground Beef and Potatoes: Your quick comfort food fix! An easy, flavorful one-pan meal perfect for busy weeknights when you crave a satisfying dinner.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 30 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American Comfort
Dietary: Gluten-Free (ensure broth is GF)

# Ingredients:

→ Main Ingredients

01 - 1 lb (450g) ground beef (80/20 recommended)
02 - 2 large Yukon Gold potatoes, diced into 1/2-inch pieces
03 - 1 medium yellow onion, chopped

→ Flavor Boosters

04 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 cup beef broth
06 - 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
07 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
08 - 1/2 tsp dried thyme

→ Pantry Staples

09 - Salt, to taste
10 - Black pepper, to taste

→ Finishing Touches

11 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, get that big skillet hot over medium-high heat. No oil needed, the beef will render its own delicious fat! Toss in your ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon. You want it nice and browned, like, really golden, not just grey. This is where all that amazing flavor starts, hon, so don’t rush it! I always get a little grease splatter here, a real badge of honor, haha. Drain off any excess fat – I usually just tilt the pan and spoon it out, less mess than a colander, honestly.
02 - Once that beef is beautifully browned and drained, toss in your chopped onion. Let it soften up, getting all translucent and sweet, for about 5-7 minutes. Oh, the smell! It’s the best. Then, add your minced garlic and your dried thyme. Stir it all around for just about a minute, until you can really smell that garlic doing its thing – don't let it burn, that's a bitter mistake I've made more times than I care to admit, oops! Keep stirring so it doesn't stick.
03 - Now for the star spuds! Add your diced potatoes to the skillet, along with the smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Give everything a good stir so those potatoes are nicely coated in all that beefy, oniony, garlicky goodness. This is where you really start to see the magic happen, the colors coming together. I always take a moment to admire the vibrant red of the paprika on the potatoes, it just smells so warm and inviting.
04 - Pour in your beef broth and the Worcestershire sauce. Give it another gentle stir, making sure everything is nestled comfortably in the liquid. Bring it to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it cook for about 15-20 minutes. You want those potatoes to get fork-tender, but not mushy, ya know? I sometimes peek a little early, just to check on the liquid level, because I'm impatient like that, haha.
05 - After the potatoes are tender, take that lid off! Crank the heat back up to medium-high and let it simmer, uncovered, for another 5-10 minutes. This helps reduce some of that liquid and lets the flavors really concentrate. Stir it occasionally, making sure nothing sticks to the bottom. You’ll see the sauce thicken up beautifully, clinging to the Savory Ground Beef and Potatoes. It’s a real transformation, I swear!
06 - Once the sauce has thickened to your liking and the potatoes are perfectly tender, remove the skillet from the heat. Give it a good taste test – this is critical! Adjust any seasonings if you think it needs a little more salt, pepper, or maybe even a tiny dash more Worcestershire. Finally, stir in your fresh chopped parsley. It adds such a lovely pop of color and freshness. And there you have it, your perfect Savory Ground Beef and Potatoes! Dish it up and enjoy that cozy feeling.

# Notes:

01 - Don't overcrowd the pan when browning the beef, or it'll steam instead of brown. Do it in batches if you need to, trust me!
02 - Leftovers store beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. It reheats well in the microwave, but I prefer a skillet for crispier potatoes.
03 - No beef broth? Chicken broth works too, or even just water with an extra bouillon cube for that savory kick!
04 - A dollop of sour cream or a sprinkle of sharp cheddar cheese on top when serving? Oh, honey, it's a game-changer!

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Large skillet (cast iron preferred)
02 - cutting board
03 - sharp knife
04 - spoon

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 450 kcal
Total Fat: 25g
Total Carbohydrate: 30g
Protein: 28g

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