Ground beef and potatoes are two of the best ingredients to have when you need a filling family dinner without a lot of fuss. They are simple, affordable, easy to stretch, and can turn into so many different meals depending on what seasonings, sauces, or vegetables you have on hand.
When I was growing up, my mom would always reference needing a “meat and potatoes” kind of meal. I did not really understand what she was talking about because I would have been super happy with a frozen pizza or a bowl of cereal a lot of the time.
Now, I understand.
A meat and potatoes meal fills up your hungry husband and family and does not leave everyone asking what we have for snacks 15 minutes after the kitchen is cleaned up. Meat and potatoes makes everyone feel loved and cared for, and it fills more than just our bellies. It feeds our hearts.
So if you are standing in the kitchen wondering what to cook when you only have ground beef and potatoes, here are some simple, hearty dinner ideas to help you get supper on the table.
1. Ground Beef and Potato Skillet
This is the easiest place to start. Brown ground beef in a skillet, drain the grease if needed, and add diced potatoes. Season everything with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
Cover the skillet and let the potatoes cook until tender. You may need to add a splash of water or broth to help them soften without burning. Once the potatoes are cooked, let everything brown a little for extra flavor.
This is simple, filling, and easy to change depending on what you have.
Good add-ins: shredded cheese, onions, bell peppers, frozen peas, corn, sour cream, or hot sauce.
2. Cheesy Ground Beef and Potatoes
If you have cheese, you can turn ground beef and potatoes into a cozy, kid-friendly dinner.
Cook ground beef and diced potatoes together in a skillet until the potatoes are tender. Then sprinkle shredded cheese over the top and cover the skillet for a few minutes until the cheese melts.
This is one of those meals that tastes like comfort food but does not take much work.
Good add-ins: cheddar cheese, Colby jack, sour cream, bacon bits, green onions, or ranch seasoning.
3. Ground Beef and Potato Casserole
A ground beef and potato casserole is a great option when you want something warm, filling, and easy to bake.
Layer thinly sliced potatoes with cooked ground beef in a baking dish. Add a creamy sauce, cheese, or a can of cream soup if you have one. Cover and bake until the potatoes are tender.
This is the kind of meal that feels old-fashioned in the best way.
Good add-ins: cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, cheddar cheese, onions, peas, corn, or breadcrumbs on top.
4. Hamburger Hash
Hamburger hash is a simple one-pan meal made with ground beef, potatoes, and seasonings.
Dice the potatoes small so they cook faster. Brown the ground beef, add the potatoes, and cook until everything is tender and a little crispy around the edges.
This is a great breakfast-for-dinner option too, especially if you add eggs on top.
Good add-ins: eggs, onions, peppers, cheese, hot sauce, or leftover vegetables.
5. Shepherd’s Pie
Shepherd’s pie is a great way to use ground beef and potatoes, especially if you have mashed potatoes.
Cook the ground beef with a little onion if you have it. Add peas, carrots, corn, or any mixed vegetables. Stir in a little gravy, broth, or cream soup. Spread mashed potatoes over the top and bake until hot.
Technically, traditional shepherd’s pie is made with lamb, but in many family kitchens, the ground beef version is the one we all know and love.
Good add-ins: peas, carrots, corn, green beans, brown gravy, cheese, or Worcestershire sauce.
6. Ground Beef and Mashed Potato Bowls
Mashed potato bowls are easy, filling, and a good way to use up leftovers.
Start with mashed potatoes in a bowl. Add seasoned ground beef on top, then add whatever toppings you have.
This can be as simple as ground beef, mashed potatoes, and gravy, or you can add cheese, corn, sour cream, or green onions.
Good add-ins: gravy, cheese, corn, peas, sour cream, bacon bits, or green onions.
7. Taco Ground Beef and Potatoes
If you have taco seasoning, chili powder, salsa, or tortillas, you can make taco-style ground beef and potatoes.
Brown the ground beef, add diced potatoes, and season with taco seasoning. Cook until the potatoes are tender. You can serve it in bowls, tortillas, or over rice if you have some.
This is a great way to stretch one pound of ground beef.
Good add-ins: salsa, cheese, sour cream, corn, black beans, tortillas, lettuce, or hot sauce.
8. Ground Beef and Potato Soup
Ground beef and potatoes can make a simple, hearty soup.
Brown the ground beef in a pot, then add diced potatoes, water or broth, and seasonings. Simmer until the potatoes are tender. If you have milk, cream, or cheese, you can make it creamy. If not, keep it brothy and simple.
This is a good meal when you need to stretch a small amount of ground beef.
Good add-ins: carrots, celery, onion, corn, peas, cheese, milk, cream, or bouillon.
9. Loaded Baked Potatoes with Ground Beef
If you have large potatoes, bake them and top them with seasoned ground beef.
This is a very easy meal because everyone can add their own toppings. It also works well if you only have a small amount of ground beef because the potato does most of the filling.
Good toppings: cheese, sour cream, butter, salsa, ranch, green onions, bacon bits, or leftover vegetables.
10. Sloppy Joe Potatoes
If you have sloppy joe sauce, ketchup, barbecue sauce, or tomato sauce, you can make sloppy joe potatoes.
Cook the ground beef with a simple sauce, then spoon it over baked potatoes, mashed potatoes, or roasted potatoes.
This is an easy way to turn a basic potato into a full meal.
Good add-ins: cheese, pickles, onions, mustard, barbecue sauce, or corn.
11. Ground Beef and Potato Breakfast Skillet
Ground beef and potatoes can easily become breakfast for dinner.
Cook diced potatoes until tender, then add cooked ground beef and season everything well. Crack eggs over the top or scramble them into the skillet.
This is simple, hearty, and a good option when you do not have many groceries left.
Good add-ins: eggs, cheese, onions, peppers, hot sauce, or salsa.
12. Ground Beef and Potato Tacos
Ground beef and potatoes make a great taco filling.
Dice the potatoes small and cook them with seasoned ground beef. Spoon the mixture into tortillas and top with whatever you have.
The potatoes help stretch the meat and make the tacos more filling.
Good add-ins: cheese, salsa, sour cream, lettuce, beans, corn, or hot sauce.
13. Ground Beef and Potato Burritos
If you have tortillas, ground beef and potatoes can become easy burritos.
Mix cooked ground beef, diced potatoes, cheese, beans, or salsa. Roll the mixture in tortillas and toast them in a skillet if you want them crispy.
These are also great for leftovers.
Good add-ins: refried beans, black beans, cheese, salsa, sour cream, or rice.
14. Ground Beef and Potato Bake
A ground beef and potato bake is a simple layered dinner.
Slice potatoes thin, layer them with cooked ground beef, and add cheese or a simple sauce. Cover and bake until the potatoes are tender.
If you do not have a creamy sauce, you can use broth and seasonings. If you have cheese, sprinkle it on top near the end.
Good add-ins: cheese, cream soup, broth, onions, garlic, peas, corn, or paprika.
15. Ground Beef and Roasted Potatoes
If you want something simple, roast the potatoes and serve them with seasoned ground beef.
Cut potatoes into small pieces, toss with oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder, and roast until tender and crispy. Serve with ground beef on top or on the side.
This is a good option when you want a meal that feels hearty but not creamy.
Good add-ins: ketchup, barbecue sauce, ranch, cheese, sour cream, or roasted vegetables.
Easy Ways to Make Ground Beef and Potatoes Taste Better
Ground beef and potatoes are simple ingredients, but they need seasoning and moisture to really shine.
Here are a few easy ways to add flavor:
- Use salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder as your basic seasoning.
- Add taco seasoning, chili powder, paprika, ranch seasoning, or Italian seasoning.
- Add a splash of broth or water while the potatoes cook.
- Stir in butter, sour cream, cheese, cream soup, or gravy.
- Add onions, peppers, peas, corn, green beans, carrots, or frozen mixed vegetables.
- Top with cheese, hot sauce, green onions, or crispy bacon bits.
The easiest way to make ground beef and potatoes better is to season them well and give the potatoes enough time to get tender.
What Vegetables Go with Ground Beef and Potatoes?
Ground beef and potatoes work with many different vegetables. You can add fresh, frozen, or canned vegetables depending on what you have.
Some easy options are:
- Corn
- Peas
- Carrots
- Green beans
- Bell peppers
- Onions
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Mushrooms
- Frozen mixed vegetables
Frozen vegetables are especially helpful because they are easy to keep on hand and can be added to skillets, soups, casseroles, and shepherd’s pie.
How to Stretch Ground Beef with Potatoes
Potatoes are one of the best ways to stretch ground beef. They are filling, affordable, and make a small amount of meat feel like a full meal.
Here are a few ways to stretch ground beef:
Cut the potatoes small. Small diced potatoes mix through the ground beef better and make the whole dish feel more filling.
Use less meat. Even half a pound of ground beef can make a meal if you add enough potatoes and vegetables.
Add beans if you have them. Black beans, pinto beans, or kidney beans can stretch taco-style ground beef and potato meals.
Add vegetables. Peas, corn, carrots, or green beans make the meal bigger and more balanced.
Turn it into soup. Soup is one of the easiest ways to make a small amount of ground beef feed more people.
Serve it over potatoes. Baked potatoes or mashed potatoes can make a small amount of seasoned ground beef go a long way.
Basic Ground Beef and Potato Formula
You do not always need a recipe. Use this simple formula:
Ground beef + potatoes + seasoning + sauce or fat + optional vegetables
Here are a few examples:
Ground beef + potatoes + taco seasoning + salsa + cheese
Ground beef + potatoes + garlic powder + butter + peas
Ground beef + potatoes + cream soup + cheese + corn
Ground beef + potatoes + broth + carrots + celery
Ground beef + potatoes + gravy + green beans
Once you know the basic formula, you can make a filling meal from whatever you have in the kitchen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cook raw potatoes with ground beef?
Yes, you can cook raw potatoes with ground beef, but it helps to dice the potatoes small so they cook faster. You may also need to add a splash of water or broth and cover the skillet while the potatoes soften.
If the potatoes are cut too large, the ground beef may be done long before the potatoes are tender.
Should I cook the potatoes before adding them to ground beef?
You can, but you do not have to. Pre-cooking the potatoes will make the meal faster, especially if you are using leftover baked potatoes, boiled potatoes, or microwaved potatoes.
If you are starting with raw potatoes, just dice them small and give them enough time to cook.
What seasoning is good with ground beef and potatoes?
Salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder are a good basic start. You can also use taco seasoning, chili powder, paprika, ranch seasoning, Italian seasoning, or steak seasoning.
For a cozy comfort-food flavor, try garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and a little butter.
Can I make ground beef and potatoes without cheese?
Yes. Cheese is helpful, but you do not need it. You can use broth, gravy, salsa, tomato sauce, butter, or simple seasonings to add flavor instead.
A ground beef and potato skillet with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and a little butter can still be very good.
Can I make ground beef and potatoes ahead of time?
Yes. Ground beef and potatoes reheat well, especially in skillets, casseroles, soups, and mashed potato bowls.
When reheating, you may need to add a splash of water, broth, or a little butter to keep everything from drying out.
Can I freeze ground beef and potato meals?
Some ground beef and potato meals freeze better than others. Soups, casseroles, and shepherd’s pie usually freeze well. Skillet potatoes can sometimes get a little soft after freezing, but they are still usable.
Let the food cool first, then store it in freezer-safe containers.
What can I make with one pound of ground beef and potatoes?
With one pound of ground beef and potatoes, you can make a skillet meal, casserole, soup, shepherd’s pie, taco potatoes, loaded baked potatoes, hamburger hash, or burrito filling.
Potatoes help stretch one pound of ground beef into a full family meal.
How do I keep ground beef and potatoes from being dry?
Add moisture. A splash of broth, water, gravy, salsa, cream soup, sour cream, or cheese sauce can help.
Also, cover the skillet while the potatoes cook so they can steam and soften without drying out.
What is the easiest ground beef and potato meal?
The easiest meal is a simple ground beef and potato skillet. Brown the ground beef, add diced potatoes, season well, add a splash of water or broth, cover, and cook until the potatoes are tender.
Add cheese, salsa, gravy, or sour cream if you have it.
Wrapping it up…
Ground beef and potatoes are basic ingredients, but they can make some of the most comforting family meals. They are filling, affordable, and easy to stretch when the grocery budget is tight or you simply do not know what else to cook.
A meat and potatoes meal does not have to be fancy. Sometimes it is just the kind of supper that makes everyone feel full, settled, and cared for.
The next time you only have ground beef and potatoes, start simple. Brown the meat, cook the potatoes, season everything well, and add whatever sauce, vegetable, or topping you have. Before long, you will have a warm, hearty meal on the table.
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