I love a delicious, home-cooked meal as much as the next person. But I have a deep, passionate hatred for the mountain of dishes that often comes with it. If you’re nodding along, you’ve come to the right place.
This recipe for Tex-Mex Loaded Ground Beef & Potato Skillet is my ultimate salvation. It delivers incredible flavor and a complete meal, all while using just one single pan. It’s a true hero for easy dinner recipes, much like our popular keto chicken quesadilla.
We get to enjoy a fantastic, hearty dinner. And our kitchens stay clean. It’s a win-win situation that I think we can all get behind.
Recipe Overview
Here’s a quick look at what you’re making. This is one of those ground beef recipes that feels indulgent but is surprisingly simple to pull together.
Tex-Mex Loaded Ground Beef & Potato Skillet Recipe
The Full Ingredient List
My “Less Mess” Cooking Method (Step-by-Step)
Notes
Enjoy your homemade Tex-Mex Loaded Ground Beef & Potato Skillet Recipe!
Nutrition Information
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
- Category: Dinner
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Servings: 4
The Magic of a One-Pot (or One-Pan) Meal
Let’s talk about why this method is so wonderful. As someone who despises cleanup, the one-pan approach is a game-changer for fast dinners.
Everything cooks together in a single skillet. The flavors meld and build on each other, creating a deep, satisfying taste. Best of all, you only have one pan to wash at the end of the night.
It makes the whole cooking process feel smooth and manageable. This is especially great for beginner cooks who might feel overwhelmed.
All You Need (One Pot & These Ingredients)
Gathering your gear and goods is the first step. I promise, the list is short and sweet, focusing on simple, flavorful items.
You’ll need one large, oven-safe skillet. That’s it for the main equipment! For the ingredients, we’re building a classic ground beef and potatoes base with a Tex-Mex kick.
The Full Ingredient List
Here is everything you’ll need to make this tasty potato dinner. I find that using a leaner ground beef helps keep the dish from getting too greasy.
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper (any color), diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lb russet potatoes, diced into 1/2-inch cubes
- 1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chiles (like Rotel), undrained
- 1 tbsp taco seasoning
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
- For serving: sour cream, sliced green onions, fresh cilantro
My “Less Mess” Cooking Method (Step-by-Step)
Follow these steps for a perfect result with minimal cleanup. I’ve included little tips to help you keep things tidy as you go.
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). While it heats, dice your onion, bell pepper, and potatoes. Having everything ready makes the cooking process fast and easy.
- Cook the Beef: Heat the olive oil in your large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until it’s nicely browned. This builds a great flavor base for the whole dish.
- Sauté the Veggies: Push the beef to one side of the skillet. Add the diced onion and bell pepper to the empty space. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until they start to soften. Then, add the garlic and cook for one more minute until fragrant.
- Add Potatoes and Seasoning: Now, mix everything in the skillet together. Add the diced potatoes, the entire can of diced tomatoes with green chiles, taco seasoning, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Give it a good stir to coat everything evenly.
- Simmer to Cook Through: Bring the mixture to a simmer. Then, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the skillet with a lid (or foil), and let it cook for about 15 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the potatoes are tender and easily pierced with a fork.
- Add the Cheese and Bake: Once the potatoes are soft, remove the lid and sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top. Transfer the entire skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 5-7 minutes, just until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve and Enjoy: Carefully remove the skillet from the oven. Let it sit for a couple of minutes before serving. Top with your favorite garnishes like a dollop of sour cream, sliced green onions, and fresh cilantro.
PREPARATION
If you’re looking for more delicious ways to use potatoes, you’ll love our ultimate creamy potato soup for cozy nights.
Pro-Tips for Perfect One-Pot Cooking
I’ve learned a few things from making this beef potato casserole many times. These small adjustments can really improve your final dish.
First, make sure you use a large enough skillet. You need room for everything to cook evenly without spilling over. A 10-inch or 12-inch oven-safe skillet is perfect.
Try not to stir the mixture too much once the potatoes are added. Letting it sit helps the potatoes cook through and develop a slightly crispy bottom, which adds wonderful texture.
If you’re short on time, you can power up the prep by using pre-diced potatoes from the refrigerated section of the grocery store. It’s a great little shortcut for busy weeknights.
Storing & Reheating (Easy!)
This dish makes for fantastic leftovers. The flavors have more time to mingle, making it just as good the next day.
Let the skillet cool completely. Then, transfer the leftovers to an airtight container. They will keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
To reheat, simply microwave single portions until hot. For a larger amount, you can warm it in a covered oven-safe dish at 350°F until heated through. You can even add a little extra cheese on top before reheating.
Nutrition Notes
Here’s a basic breakdown of the nutrition for this hearty meal. Remember, these are estimates and can vary based on your specific ingredients.
- Calories: ~450 per serving
- Protein: ~30g
- Carbohydrates: ~35g
- Fat: ~20g
Using lean ground beef and loading up on the veggies helps keep this a balanced option. You can also boost the fiber by serving it with a side of black beans.
For a sweet finish to your meal, don’t miss our delightful blueberry-lavender bliss cakes.
Your One-Pot Questions, Answered
I get a few common questions about this recipe. Here are some quick answers to help you out.
Can I use a different type of potato?
Absolutely! Yukon Gold potatoes are a great substitute. They have a creamier texture and a thinner skin, so you might not even need to peel them.
My skillet isn’t oven-safe. What can I do?
No problem! After everything is cooked on the stovetop, simply sprinkle the cheese on top. Then, place a lid on the skillet and let it sit over low heat for 2-3 minutes. The residual heat will melt the cheese perfectly.
How can I make this dish spicier?
If you like a little more heat, it’s easy to adjust. You can use a hot variety of diced tomatoes with chiles, add a diced jalapeño with the bell pepper, or sprinkle in a pinch of cayenne pepper with the other spices.
And there you have it! A complete, comforting, and incredibly tasty meal that leaves you with almost no cleanup. This is the kind of recipe that makes weeknight dinners feel special without any of the stress.
I hope this becomes a new favorite in your rotation of easy dinner recipes. It’s a dish that truly proves you don’t need a lot of pots and pans to create something wonderful.
Enjoy all that flavor (and your clean kitchen!). Let me know how it went by leaving a comment and rating below!
