
My Ground Beef and Potatoes pan dish has been my family's dinnertime hero for ages. I'm crazy about how the skinny beef combines with soft potatoes and juicy red peppers to make pure comfort food heaven. What really makes it pop is that awesome mix of smoky paprika, Dijon, and just a dash of hot sauce that turns this from basic to absolutely mouth-watering.
Why This Dish Stands Out
Through many rushed evenings, I've figured out that basic stuff can turn into something fantastic. This meal has become my top one-pan solution, giving us protein, veggies, and those yummy potatoes all together. The flavorings change everyday items into a dinner that gets everyone at my table excited, and you can whip it up in only half an hour.
Your Shopping List
- Hot Sauce: Put in as much or as little as you want.
- Spices: My mixture of smoky paprika, garlic powder, oregano, salt and pepper.
- Dijon Mustard: Believe me, this gives such wonderful richness.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Just a tiny bit makes everything taste fuller.
- Red Bell Pepper: Gives the perfect touch of brightness and sweetness.
- Potatoes: Gold or red varieties both turn out great here.
- Lean Ground Beef: I pick 90/10 for just the right mix of taste and health.
Let's Start Cooking
- Ready to Serve
- Fill some plates and maybe throw together a quick salad, dinner's all set.
- Bring It All Together
- Stir those beautiful potatoes back in and let everything mingle for a couple minutes.
- Time for the Main Event
- Toss in your beef and crumble it up, then add peppers and all those tasty seasonings, cooking till everything's just right.
- Get Those Potatoes Going
- Warm up your skillet, add oil and cook those potato chunks until they're brown and soft, about 10 minutes.
My Kitchen Secrets
New spices really change this meal completely. Don't crowd the potatoes in the pan if you want crispy edges. Adjust the hot sauce till you hit your sweet spot for heat. Don't stir the potatoes too much—they'll get extra crunchy that way.
Making the Most of Leftovers
Put a fried egg on what's left for an incredible breakfast hash. Mix them with scrambled eggs for a filling morning dish. I sometimes fold everything into a tortilla with cheese for next day's lunch.
Keeping It Fresh
Store any extras in your fridge and they'll last around 3 days. Heat them up gently in a pan to keep everything nice and tender. Don't try freezing this one though—those potatoes won't look so good when they thaw out.
Kitchen Tools You'll Love
I can't do without my Dutch oven for this meal—it holds the temperature just perfectly. A meat chopper tool makes breaking down the beef so much quicker. Find yourself a solid heat-proof spatula for mixing everything up.

Common Questions
- → What other potatoes can I use?
Russet or red potatoes are great alternatives. Just chop them into small, consistent pieces to cook evenly and faster.
- → How do I stop the potatoes from sticking?
Make sure there's enough oil, and don’t stir often. Let them sit undisturbed to create a golden crust before flipping.
- → Can I prep it ahead of time?
Definitely, it stays fresh in the fridge for about 3 days. Reheat it in a pan so the potatoes stay crispy.
- → What works instead of beef?
You can swap in ground pork or turkey. Just tweak the cooking time to ensure the meat is thoroughly cooked.
- → How can I make it spicy?
Up the heat by adding chili flakes, spicy paprika, extra hot sauce, or throw in some minced jalapeños with the veggies.