If you’re craving something hearty, comforting, and made in just one pan, this Easy Ground Beef Potato Skillet is the answer. It brings together the savory goodness of seasoned ground beef with tender golden potatoes, all caramelized and pan-crisped to perfection. The result? A family-friendly dish packed with flavor, ready in under 30 minutes.

Perfect for busy weeknights, this easy dinner idea is loaded with pantry staples and requires minimal prep. It’s the kind of meal that hits the spot after a long day — satisfying, flavorful, and deeply comforting. Plus, there’s only one pan to clean!
What Kind of Potatoes Should I Use?
For this skillet meal, baby Yukon Gold potatoes are an excellent choice. Their creamy texture and quick cooking time make them ideal for pan-frying. You can also use red potatoes or even fingerlings — just make sure they’re cut into evenly sized halves for uniform cooking.
If you’re in a rush, pre-cooked or parboiled potatoes can help speed things up. The goal is crispy edges with a soft center, so avoid overly starchy varieties like russets unless you parboil them first.
Ingredients for the Easy Ground Beef Potato Skillet
- Ground Beef – Lean ground beef brings richness and a deep savory base to the dish.
- Baby Yukon Gold Potatoes – These are halved and seared until golden, offering buttery texture and flavor.
- Onion – A yellow onion adds a sweet, aromatic depth when caramelized.
- Garlic – Fresh garlic cloves bring punchy flavor to round out the savory profile.
- Paprika – Adds a warm smoky note and color.
- Salt & Pepper – Essential seasoning to enhance all the flavors.
- Fresh Parsley – Chopped parsley offers a bright, fresh finish.
How To Make the Easy Ground Beef Potato Skillet
Step 1: Sear the Potatoes
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place halved baby potatoes cut-side down and cook until golden and crisp, about 5–7 minutes. Flip and cook the other side for another 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
Step 2: Cook the Ground Beef
In the same skillet, add the ground beef. Break it up with a spatula and cook until browned. Drain excess grease if needed.
Step 3: Add Onion and Garlic
Stir in diced onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
Step 4: Combine and Season
Return the potatoes to the skillet. Sprinkle with paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together and cook for 2–3 more minutes to meld the flavors.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
Finish with a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley and serve hot.

Serving and Storing This Comforting Skillet
This skillet is best served straight from the pan while hot and crispy. Leftovers can be cooled and stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet or the oven to maintain the crispy texture of the potatoes.
This dish also freezes surprisingly well. Store in freezer-safe containers for up to 1 month and reheat directly from frozen in the oven or skillet.
What to Serve With Easy Ground Beef Potato?
Crisp Green Salad
A fresh green salad with vinaigrette balances the richness of the beef and potatoes.
Garlic Bread
Crunchy, buttery garlic bread adds a delicious texture contrast.
Steamed Green Beans
Lightly steamed green beans bring a pop of color and freshness.
Roasted Carrots
Sweet and earthy roasted carrots complement the hearty skillet.
Creamy Coleslaw
Adds tang and crunch to cut through the savory skillet.
Pickles or Pickled Onions
Their acidity cuts through the richness beautifully.
Fried Eggs
Top your skillet with a fried egg for a diner-style twist.
Want More Beef Dinner Ideas?
If you love this comforting skillet, you’ll definitely enjoy these satisfying beef-packed favorites:
- Creamy Ground Beef Alfredo Pasta for a cozy pasta night.
- Cheesy Hamburger Casserole loaded with melted cheese and noodles.
- Creamy Beef and Shells Recipe if you’re craving childhood nostalgia.
- French Onion Ground Beef and Rice Casserole with rich, savory depth.
- Stovetop Creamy Ground Beef Pasta for an easy, weeknight wonder.
Save This Pin For Later
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And let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you add cheese? Did you spice it up with chili flakes?
I love seeing how you personalize these dishes. Don’t be shy—share your tweaks or ask questions below!
Explore beautifully curated hearty dinners on ChefAlchemy’s Recipes and find your next favorite skillet meal!
Easy Ground Beef Potato Skillet
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Description
If you need a quick and filling meal that the whole family will love, this Easy Ground Beef Potato Skillet is a must-try. It’s a one-pan wonder loaded with crispy golden potatoes, savory ground beef, and simple spices—all cooked to perfection in under 30 minutes. Perfect for weeknight dinners, hearty lunches, or meal prep, this skillet checks all the boxes: quick breakfast, easy dinner, healthy snack, comfort food, and weeknight winner. Whether you’re after budget-friendly dinner ideas or just a satisfying, easy recipe, this dish delivers.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef
1.5 lb baby Yukon Gold potatoes, halved
1 medium yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place halved potatoes cut-side down and sear for 5–7 minutes until golden. Flip and cook the other side another 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
2. In the same skillet, add ground beef. Break it apart and cook until browned. Drain excess grease if necessary.
3. Add diced onion and cook for 3 minutes until soft. Stir in garlic and cook another 30 seconds.
4. Return the potatoes to the skillet. Add paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together and cook another 2–3 minutes to combine flavors.
5. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve hot.
Notes
For extra crispiness, don’t overcrowd the pan when searing potatoes.
You can swap ground beef for turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: ground beef skillet, potato skillet, easy dinner, one-pan meal
