Ingredients
Here’s everything you’ll need and what each ingredient brings to the skillet.
- 1 lb ground beef — Provides the rich, savory foundation of the dish.
- 3 medium russet potatoes, peeled and diced into small cubes — Add hearty texture and become tender while soaking up the seasoned tomato sauce.
- 1 can (15 oz) pinto beans, drained and rinsed — Add a creamy texture and make the skillet even more filling.
- 1 small yellow onion, diced — Adds aromatic flavor and subtle sweetness.
- 2 cloves garlic, minced — Brings savory depth to the ground beef and seasonings.
- 1 cup diced tomatoes — Adds freshness, acidity, and tomato flavor.
- ½ cup tomato sauce — Creates a rich sauce that coats the beef, potatoes, and beans.
- ½ cup beef broth or water — Provides enough liquid to help the potatoes finish cooking and creates the proper sauce consistency.
- 1 tbsp olive oil — Helps the potatoes cook and develop lightly golden edges.
- 1 tsp ground cumin — Adds warm, earthy flavor.
- 1 tsp chili powder — Brings mild chile flavor and additional depth.
- ½ tsp smoked paprika — Adds subtle smokiness.
- ½ tsp dried oregano — Provides an herbal note that complements the tomatoes and spices.
- ½ tsp salt — Enhances all the flavors in the skillet.
- ¼ tsp black pepper — Adds mild peppery warmth.
- ½ cup roasted diced green chiles, optional — Adds smoky chile flavor and extra character.
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped — Adds a fresh herbal finish just before serving.
Instructions
This comforting meal comes together in one large skillet in about 45 minutes.
Step 1: Cook the Potatoes
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add the diced potatoes and cook for 7–9 minutes, stirring occasionally.
The potatoes should begin to soften and develop lightly golden edges.
Cutting them into small, evenly sized cubes helps them cook at the same rate.
Step 2: Add the Onion
Add the diced yellow onion to the potatoes.
Continue cooking for another 3–4 minutes, or until the onion begins to soften.
Step 3: Brown the Ground Beef
Add the ground beef and minced garlic.
Cook for 5–7 minutes, breaking the meat into small crumbles with a wooden spoon or spatula.
Continue cooking until the beef is browned and fully cooked.
If the beef releases a large amount of grease, carefully drain the excess before continuing.
Step 4: Add the Seasonings
Sprinkle in the ground cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper.
Stir well so the beef and potatoes are evenly coated.
Cook for about 30 seconds, just until the garlic and spices become fragrant.
Step 5: Build the Tomato Sauce
Add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and beef broth or water.
If you’re using roasted diced green chiles, stir them in now.
Mix everything together while scraping up any flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
Step 6: Simmer Until the Potatoes Are Tender
Cover the skillet and reduce the heat to medium-low.
Simmer for 8–10 minutes, or until the potatoes are completely tender when pierced with a fork.
Stir occasionally to ensure everything cooks evenly.
Step 7: Add the Pinto Beans
Stir in the drained and rinsed pinto beans.
Leave the skillet uncovered and cook for another 3–5 minutes.
This allows the beans to heat through while the tomato sauce thickens slightly around the beef and potatoes.
Step 8: Taste and Adjust
Taste the skillet and adjust the seasoning as needed.
You can add additional salt, chili powder, or roasted green chile depending on your preference.
Step 9: Finish with Fresh Cilantro
Remove the skillet from the heat.
Sprinkle the chopped fresh cilantro over the top and serve while hot.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 385 per serving