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Mexican ground beef and potato skillet topped with melted cheese, fresh cilantro, and lime wedges

Flavor-Packed Mexican Ground Beef and Potato Skillet for Busy Nights


  • Author: Lilie Evans
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Description

This Mexican ground beef and potato skillet is a hearty, flavor-packed one-pan meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Crispy potatoes, seasoned beef, colorful veggies, and gooey melted cheese come together for a dinner that’s both comforting and easy to make.


Ingredients

Scale

1 lb ground beef (lean recommended)

3 medium potatoes, diced small

2 tablespoons olive oil, divided

1 medium onion, chopped

1 large bell pepper, diced

3 garlic cloves, minced

2 tablespoons tomato paste

½ cup beef broth

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 teaspoon ground cumin

½ teaspoon paprika

Salt and black pepper, to taste

1 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese

Fresh cilantro, for garnish


Instructions

Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced potatoes, season with salt and pepper, and cook 10–12 minutes until golden and tender. Remove and set aside.

In the same skillet, add the remaining olive oil and ground beef. Cook until browned, breaking apart with a spoon.

Stir in onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Cook 3–4 minutes until softened.

Add tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, and paprika. Stir until well coated.

Pour in beef broth, bring to a simmer, then add potatoes back to skillet. Stir to combine.

Sprinkle cheese evenly over the skillet. Cover with a lid and cook 2–3 minutes until cheese melts.

Garnish with cilantro and serve hot.

Notes

Swap ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or chorizo for variety.

Add corn, black beans, or zucchini for extra veggies.

For more heat, add diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper.

Leftovers store in the fridge for 3 days; reheat in a skillet for best texture.

Freeze cooked beef-potato mixture up to 2 months; reheat and top with cheese before serving.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Dinner / Main
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Mexican-inspired

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 portion
  • Calories: 420 kcal
  • Sugar: 5g
  • Sodium: 580mg
  • Fat: 22g
  • Saturated Fat: 9g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 32g
  • Fiber: 4 g
  • Protein: 28g
  • Cholesterol: 85mg

Keywords: Mexican ground beef skillet, ground beef and potato recipe, one-pan dinner