This ground beef and potatoes recipe is the kind of simple dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Made with savory ground beef, tender potatoes, and everyday pantry ingredients, it’s a hearty meal that’s both budget-friendly and family-friendly.
If you’ve made my ground beef stew before, this recipe takes those same comforting ingredients in a slightly different direction. The stew is thicker and more saucy, while this version keeps things a little lighter, with the potatoes cooked separately and then mixed with the seasoned beef.
A little soy sauce adds savory depth to the dish, while a squeeze of fresh lemon at the end brightens everything up and balances the richness of the beef and butter. It’s a simple combination of ingredients, but it comes together into a really satisfying meal.
Why You’ll Love This Ground Beef and Potatoes Recipe
- Simple ingredients – Everything in this recipe is easy to find and budget-friendly.
- Great for weeknights – It comes together quickly and doesn’t require complicated steps.
- Comforting but not heavy – Unlike a stew, this version isn’t as saucy but is still hearty and satisfying.
- Balanced flavors – Soy sauce adds savory depth while lemon brightens the dish at the end.
- Family-friendly – A simple meal that everyone at the table can enjoy.
Ingredients
You’ll only need a few simple pantry ingredients:
- Ground beef
- Soy sauce (regular or light soy sauce)
- Paprika
- Baby Potatoes
- Butter
- Onion
- Garlic
- Water
- Cornstarch
- Lemon
- Salt
- Fresh parsley
Note: Use regular soy sauce or light soy sauce, but avoid dark soy sauce since it is thicker and much stronger in flavor.
Why Baby Potatoes Work Best
Baby potatoes are perfect for this recipe because they cook quickly and hold their shape well when mixed with the ground beef. Their thin skins also mean there’s no need to peel them, which keeps the recipe simple and weeknight-friendly.
Once cooked, they stay tender but don’t fall apart when stirred into the beef and sauce. If you can find them, baby Yukon Gold or baby red potatoes are especially good here.
If baby potatoes aren’t available, you can also use regular potatoes cut into small bite-size pieces.
How to Make Ground Beef and Potatoes
Cook the ground beef
Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat, breaking it apart as it cooks. Season with paprika and a little salt. Once fully cooked, remove the beef from the pan and set it aside.
Cook the onion and garlic
In the same skillet, melt the butter. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook briefly until fragrant.
Return the beef
Add the cooked ground beef back to the skillet and stir in the soy sauce.
Add the potatoes
Add the cooked potatoes to the pan along with some water and gently mix everything together.
Thicken the sauce
Mix the cornstarch with water to create a slurry, then stir it into the skillet. Cook for a few minutes until the sauce lightly thickens.
Finish the dish
Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the dish, adjust the salt if needed, and sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving.
Helpful Tips
Cook the potatoes ahead of time
This makes the recipe come together much faster.
Use the same skillet
Cooking everything in the same pan helps build flavor and keeps cleanup simple.
Taste before adding salt
Soy sauce already adds saltiness, so adjust seasoning at the end.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave until warmed through.
What to Serve With Ground Beef and Potatoes
This dish is filling on its own, but it also pairs nicely with:
- A simple green salad
- Steamed vegetables
- Crusty bread
- Rice
Easy Ground Beef and Potatoes Recipe
Equipment
- large skillet
- Medium Pot for boiling potatoes
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 3½ Tablespoons soy sauce regular or light soy sauce, not dark
- 1½ teaspoon paprika
- 15 baby potatoes halved
- ½ small onion chopped
- 3 large garlic cloves minced
- ¼ cup water
- 1½ teaspoons cornstarch
- olive oil for cooking
- 1 Tablespoon butter optional
- fresh parsley chopped
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- fresh lemon for finishing
Instructions
- Place the halved baby potatoes in a pot of salted water. Bring to a boil and cook until fork-tender, about 12–15 minutes. Drain and set aside.15 baby potatoes
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and drizzle in a little olive oil. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Once fully cooked, remove the beef from the pan and set aside.olive oil, 1 lb lean ground beef
- In the same skillet, add a little more olive oil if needed and sauté the onion until softened, about 4–5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant..½ small onion, 3 large garlic cloves
- Return the cooked ground beef to the skillet. Stir in the paprika and soy sauce and mix well.1½ teaspoon paprika, 3½ Tablespoons soy sauce
- Add the cooked potatoes to the pan and gently mix everything together.
- In a small bowl, whisk the cornstarch with the water until smooth. Slowly pour the mixture into the skillet while stirring until the sauce lightly thickens. Add as much as you like depending on how saucy you want the dish.¼ cup water, 1½ teaspoons cornstarch
- Stir in the butter (if using) until melted. Finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon and sprinkle with chopped parsley before serving. Taste and adjust salt if needed.1 Tablespoon butter, fresh parsley, fresh lemon, salt
Notes
- Use regular or light soy sauce, not dark soy sauce. Dark soy sauce is thicker and much stronger in flavor.
- Baby potatoes work best because they hold their shape well once mixed with the beef.
- The squeeze of lemon at the end helps balance the richness of the beef and butter.
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