Ground Beef and Potato Hash (A Cozy Skillet That Feels Like Home)

The Story & Intro

Hi👋 I’m Lacamorea, a 31-year-old French girl who traded the cobblestone streets of Paris for the cozy kitchens of America 🇫🇷➡️🇺🇸. Ever since I could reach the countertop, I’ve been whisking, stirring, and sneaking tastes of cake batter when no one was looking 🍰😋. Cooking isn’t just my passion it’s my love language, my therapy, and my favorite way to make people smile. Cooking is about more than just food it’s about sharing stories and making memories.

When I think about Ground Beef and Potato Hash, I think about comfort without effort. I think about busy evenings, hungry families, and that moment when the skillet hits the stove and the whole kitchen starts to smell like something warm and grounding. Ground Beef and Potato Hash reminds me why I fell in love with home cooking in the first place. It doesn’t ask for perfection. It asks for presence.

I started making Ground Beef and Potato Hash when I first moved to America and missed the rhythm of family meals. I didn’t have my mother’s Parisian kitchen anymore, but I had a skillet, a bag of potatoes, and ground beef in the fridge. That was enough. This Ground Beef and Potato Hash became my anchor meal something I could cook half-asleep, something forgiving, something that fed everyone without stress.

I still make this Ground Beef and Potato Hash when life feels loud. I make it when the fridge looks bare. I make it when I want my home to feel safe again. Every time, it reminds me that simple food can still feel deeply nourishing.

Why I Love Making This Recipe

I love Ground Beef and Potato Hash because it never fails me. I don’t need fancy ingredients. I don’t need extra time. I don’t need a recipe card taped to the wall. I just need a pan and a little patience.

This dish fills bellies and hearts. It stretches ingredients when money feels tight. It welcomes substitutions without judgment. I can add eggs for breakfast, tuck it into tortillas, or serve it straight from the skillet with a spoon and a smile.

Most of all, I love Ground Beef and Potato Hash because it brings everyone to the table. The smell alone pulls people out of their rooms. That matters to me. Food should gather us.

Ingredients & Little Kitchen Secrets

I always say this quietly, like a secret between friends: the magic of Ground Beef and Potato Hash lives in the potatoes.

I use Yukon Gold or russet potatoes because they soften beautifully and crisp just enough. I dice them small so they cook evenly and soak up flavor. I never rush them. Potatoes need time.

For the beef, I use ground beef with a little fat. Lean beef dries out too quickly. Fat carries flavor, and this dish deserves flavor.

Here’s what I use and why:

  • Potatoes: diced small for even cooking
  • Ground beef: 80/20 for richness
  • Onion: adds sweetness and depth
  • Garlic: always, because garlic is love
  • Paprika: gentle warmth without heat
  • Salt and black pepper: simple seasoning done right
  • Olive oil or butter: for that comforting base

My biggest secret? I season in layers. I season the potatoes. I season the beef. I taste as I go. That’s how Ground Beef and Potato Hash turns from “fine” into unforgettable.

How I Make It, Step by Step

I start with a heavy skillet. Cast iron if I have it. I heat the pan slowly and add olive oil. I let it shimmer.

I add the potatoes first. I spread them out and let them sit. I don’t stir too soon. Potatoes need contact with the pan to brown. I sprinkle salt and let them soften and crisp.

Once the potatoes feel tender, I slide them to the side. I add a little more oil and drop in the onions. I cook them until soft and golden. I add garlic and stir just until fragrant.

Then comes the ground beef. I break it apart gently. I let it brown, not steam. I season with salt, pepper, and paprika. I let the beef develop color because color equals flavor.

Finally, I bring everything together. I fold the potatoes into the beef. I taste. I adjust seasoning. I let it all cook together for a few minutes so the flavors marry.

When I turn off the heat, I pause. I breathe in. That moment always feels like home.

How I Serve It at Home

I serve Ground Beef and Potato Hash straight from the skillet. I place it in the center of the table and let everyone help themselves.

Sometimes I top it with fried eggs. Sometimes I add chopped parsley. Sometimes I serve it with ketchup, sometimes with hot sauce, sometimes with nothing at all.

On slow weekends, I wrap leftovers in warm tortillas with a sprinkle of cheese. On busy nights, I eat it standing at the counter with a fork. Both ways feel right.

Storage, Reheating & Make-Ahead Tips

Ground Beef and Potato Hash stores beautifully. I keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days.

To reheat, I prefer the skillet. I add a splash of oil and let it crisp again. The microwave works, but the pan brings it back to life.

I also make this ahead when I know the week will be long. I cook a big batch and portion it out. Future me always feels grateful.

100-Word Short Version

This Ground Beef and Potato Hash is my go-to comfort meal. I cook diced potatoes until golden, brown ground beef with onions and garlic, and bring everything together with simple seasoning. The result feels hearty, cozy, and deeply satisfying. I serve it straight from the skillet, sometimes with eggs, sometimes just as it is. It stores well, reheats beautifully, and always brings my family to the table. Simple food, cooked with love, always wins.

Recipe Card Section

⏱️ Time
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
Total: 40 minutes

🛒 Ingredients
1 lb ground beef
4 medium potatoes, diced
1 medium onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper

👩‍🍳 Instructions

  1. Heat oil in a skillet and cook potatoes until tender and golden.
  2. Add onions and garlic and cook until fragrant.
  3. Brown ground beef and season well.
  4. Combine everything and cook until flavors blend.

📝 Notes
Season in layers and don’t rush the potatoes.

🍽️ Nutrition
Hearty, filling, rich in protein and comfort 🥔🥩

Print
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Ground Beef and Potato Hash

Ground Beef and Potato Hash


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  • Author: Lacamorea
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

This Ground Beef and Potato Hash is a cozy, comforting skillet meal made with tender potatoes, savory ground beef, and simple seasonings. It’s an easy, hearty recipe perfect for busy weeknights or relaxed family dinners.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 4 medium potatoes, diced
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add diced potatoes and cook until tender and lightly golden, stirring occasionally.
  3. Push potatoes aside and add onion and garlic. Cook until fragrant.
  4. Add ground beef, break it apart, and cook until browned.
  5. Season with salt, pepper, and paprika.
  6. Stir everything together and cook for 3–5 minutes until flavors combine.

Notes

Dice potatoes evenly for even cooking. Use a skillet for reheating leftovers to restore crispiness. This dish works well with eggs or wrapped in tortillas.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Skillet
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bowl
  • Calories: 420
  • Sugar: 3g
  • Sodium: 620mg
  • Fat: 24g
  • Saturated Fat: 9g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 13g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 28g
  • Fiber: 4g
  • Protein: 22g
  • Cholesterol: 75mg

Conclusion

Ground Beef and Potato Hash isn’t fancy, but it never needed to be. It feeds people. It comforts hearts. It reminds me that the best meals don’t come from perfection they come from love. Every time I make it, I remember why I cook. I hope this recipe brings warmth to your table the way it always brings warmth to mine.

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