Easy Ground Beef Skillet Dinner – One Pan Kosher Comfort Food

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There’s nothing quite like the smell of ground beef sizzling in a cast iron skillet to make your kitchen feel like home. I’ve been making this easy skillet dinner for years, and it never fails to satisfy my family on those hectic weeknight evenings when everyone’s hungry but time is short.

This recipe came about during one of those “what’s in the fridge” moments that every home cook knows well. I had a pound of ground beef, some potatoes that needed using, and a bag of frozen vegetables taking up space in the freezer. What started as improvisation became our go-to comfort meal. The beauty is in its simplicity – everything cooks in one pan, which means less cleanup and more time at the dinner table.

The Secret to Perfect Ground Beef Browning

The key to making this dish really shine lies in properly browning the beef. Don’t crowd the pan, and resist the urge to stir too much. Let it develop that golden-brown crust that adds so much flavor. I always dice my potatoes small – about half-inch pieces – so they cook through without becoming mushy. And here’s a tip I learned from my grandmother: season each layer as you go rather than dumping all the salt and pepper in at the end.

Make-Ahead Tips for Busy Weeknights

This skillet dinner pairs beautifully with a simple green salad or some crusty bread. It’s also fantastic for meal prep since it reheats well throughout the week. My kids love it over rice, while my husband prefers it with a dollop of sour cream on top.

Easy Ground Beef Skillet Dinner - One Pan Kosher Comfort Food - American recipe
There's nothing quite like the smell of ground beef sizzling in a cast iron skillet to make your kitchen feel like home. I've been making this easy skillet dinner for years, and it never fails to satisfy my family on those hectic weeknight evenings when everyone's hungry but time is short. This recipe came about during one of those "what's in the fridge" moments that every home cook knows well. I had a pound of ground beef, some potatoes that needed using, and a bag of frozen vegetables taking up space in the freezer. What started as improvisation became our go-to comfort meal. The beauty is in its simplicity - everything cooks in one pan, which means less cleanup and more time at the dinner table. The key to making this dish really shine lies in properly browning the beef. Don't crowd the pan, and resist the urge to stir too much. Let it develop that golden-brown crust that adds so much flavor. I always dice my potatoes small - about half-inch pieces - so they cook through without becoming mushy. And here's a tip I learned from my grandmother: season each layer as you go rather than dumping all the salt and pepper in at the end. This skillet dinner pairs beautifully with a simple green salad or some crusty bread. It's also fantastic for meal prep since it reheats well throughout the week. My kids love it over rice, while my husband prefers it with a dollop of sour cream on top.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 385
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound ground beef 80/20 blend works best
  • 3 medium Yukon Gold potatoes peeled and diced into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 1 large yellow onion diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables corn, peas, and carrots
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 cup beef broth or water
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped, for garnish

Method
 

  1. Heat olive oil in a large cast iron skillet or heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat.
  2. Add diced potatoes to the hot oil and season with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until potatoes are golden brown and tender. Remove potatoes from pan and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, add ground beef and break it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook for 5-6 minutes without stirring to develop a good crust, then break up and continue cooking until browned throughout.
  4. Add diced onion to the beef and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Season the beef mixture with remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, black pepper, paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder. Stir to combine.
  6. Return the cooked potatoes to the skillet and add frozen mixed vegetables. Pour in beef broth and stir everything together.
  7. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 5 minutes until vegetables are heated through and flavors meld together.
  8. Remove from heat and let stand for 2-3 minutes. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving.

Notes

This skillet dinner keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheats beautifully in the microwave or on the stovetop. You can substitute sweet potatoes for regular potatoes, or add other vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini. For extra flavor, try adding a splash of Worcestershire sauce (make sure it's kosher) with the seasonings.
Nutrition Facts
6 servings per recipe
Serving size 1 serving
Calories 385
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 20g 26%
Saturated Fat 8g 40%
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 75mg 25%
Sodium 680mg 30%
Dietary Fiber 4g 14%
Total Sugars 6g
Protein 24g 48%
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
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