Rustic Ground Beef and Potatoes: A Skillet Favorite (Print Version)
Make this hearty rustic ground beef and potatoes skillet. It's an easy, comforting meal, perfect for busy weeknights or cozy family dinners.
# Recipe Info:
Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 35 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Meat
# Ingredients:
→ Main Players
01 -
1 lb ground beef (80/20 lean)
02 -
3 medium Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes
→ Flavor Foundation
03 -
1 medium yellow onion
04 -
3 cloves garlic, minced
05 -
1 cup beef broth
06 -
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
07 -
2 tbsp olive oil
→ Seasoning Staples
08 -
Salt, to taste
09 -
Black pepper, to taste
→ Fresh Finishes
10 -
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
# Instructions:
01 -
First things first, let's get those potatoes ready for our <strong>Rustic Ground Beef and Potatoes</strong>. I peel my potatoes, then cut them into roughly 1/2-inch cubes. You want them pretty uniform so they cook evenly – nothing worse than some mushy bits and some still-hard chunks, right? Then, dice your onion and mince that beautiful garlic. This is where I usually have all my little prep bowls out, making a bit of a mess, but it’s a happy mess, I swear. Everything ready before the heat goes on!
02 -
Heat a large, heavy-bottomed skillet – cast iron is my absolute favorite for this – over medium-high heat with a tablespoon of olive oil. Once it's shimmering, add your ground beef. Break it up with a spoon and let it get a really good sear, until it's nicely browned all over. Don't rush this step! This is where so much flavor develops. I've definitely under-browned before, and the dish just wasn't as rich. Drain off any excess fat, if you like, but I usually leave a little for flavor.
03 -
Once the beef is browned, push it to one side of the skillet. Add the diced onion to the other side with another tablespoon of olive oil. Let it soften for about 3-4 minutes, until it starts to turn translucent and smells sweet – oh, that smell! Then, toss in the minced garlic and cook for just another minute until fragrant. Don't let it burn, that's a mistake I've made, and burnt garlic is just sad. Stir the onions and garlic into the beef.
04 -
Add your cubed potatoes to the skillet with the beef and onion mixture. Give everything a good stir to combine. Pour in the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce. Season generously with salt and black pepper. Bring it to a simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the skillet, and let it cook for about 15-20 minutes. This is where the potatoes get tender and soak up all that amazing flavor for our <strong>Rustic Ground Beef and Potatoes</strong>.
05 -
After the potatoes are tender, remove the lid. Crank the heat up to medium-high again and let the liquid reduce and thicken for another 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. You want a nice, saucy consistency, not watery. This is where you can really see the transformation happening! I sometimes let a few potato bits stick to the bottom to get a little crispy, it's my favorite part, honestly.