If you’re craving a dish that brings hearty comfort and a burst of vibrant flavors to your table, this Ground Beef with Potatoes and Spicy Tomato Sauce Recipe is an absolute game-changer. It combines tender ground beef and crispy potatoes swimming in a wonderfully spicy, smoky tomato sauce that hits just the right notes of warmth and zest. Every bite feels cozy yet adventurous, making it a perfect weeknight dinner or a dish to impress friends and family without fuss. Let me take you through why this recipe is a keeper and how simple ingredients come together beautifully in just under an hour!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this recipe lies in its simplicity; each ingredient is basic yet essential, creating layers of flavor and texture that make this dish truly unforgettable. From the humble potato’s crispy bite to the ground beef’s rich, meaty foundation and the spicy tomato sauce’s bright kick, these ingredients play their parts perfectly.
- Russet or white potatoes: These absorb the sauce beautifully while staying crispy on the edges for delightful texture contrasts.
- Ground chuck: Provides juicy, flavorful meat that forms the hearty base of the dish.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the spice.
- Garlic powder and minced garlic: Offer a deep, savory aroma that permeates every bite.
- Cumin: Adds an earthy warmth that complements the beef and potatoes perfectly.
- Black pepper: Brings subtle heat and complexity to the seasoning.
- White onion: Gives sweetness and texture when cooked down.
- Roma tomatoes: Form the vibrant, fresh base of the spicy tomato sauce.
- Serrano chiles: Pack the spicy punch that makes this recipe stand out.
- Water: Helps to mellow and blend the sauce.
- Mexican oregano: Adds authentic herbal notes that tie the flavors together.
- Olive oil: Used for browning potatoes and cooking beef, contributing richness and depth.
How to Make Ground Beef with Potatoes and Spicy Tomato Sauce Recipe
Step 1: Cook the Potatoes Until Crispy
Heat a good splash of olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat, then toss in the diced potatoes. Let them cook uncovered until they develop a gorgeous golden brown and crispy exterior while steaming slightly underneath. This dual texture is key—it’s what will make each bite exciting.
Step 2: Brown the Ground Beef with Spices
Using the same skillet, now add your ground beef and season it with salt, garlic powder, cumin, and pepper. Cook over medium-high heat, breaking it apart as it browns evenly. This step layers in the savory, meaty foundation that this Ground Beef with Potatoes and Spicy Tomato Sauce Recipe depends on.
Step 3: Sauté Aromatics for Flavor
To the browned beef, add minced garlic and diced onion, cooking them together for 2–3 minutes until they soften and release their warm, fragrant aroma. This is where the dish begins to really smell like comfort!
Step 4: Blend and Add the Spicy Tomato Sauce
Blend the Roma tomatoes, serrano chiles, water, a pinch of salt, and Mexican oregano until smooth. Pour this vibrant sauce into the skillet, bring it to a boil, and watch as the mixture bubbles with inviting color and spice.
Step 5: Combine Potatoes and Simmer
Gently fold the crispy potatoes back into the skillet. Reduce the heat and let everything simmer for 7–10 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and the flavors to deepen. This is where the magic really happens, turning simple ingredients into something marvelous.
Step 6: Taste and Adjust Seasoning
Give it a final taste, and add a sprinkle more salt if needed to balance the flavors. You want that perfect harmony of spicy, savory, and fresh.
Step 7: Serve Warm and Enjoy
This Ground Beef with Potatoes and Spicy Tomato Sauce Recipe is best served piping hot alongside your favorite tortillas or fluffy rice to soak up every bit of that delicious sauce.
How to Serve Ground Beef with Potatoes and Spicy Tomato Sauce Recipe
Garnishes
Add fresh chopped cilantro or a dollop of cooling sour cream to lighten and contrast the heat. A handful of diced avocado or a squeeze of fresh lime can also brighten each bite wonderfully.
Side Dishes
This dish pairs beautifully with warm corn or flour tortillas, which are perfect for scooping. You can also serve it with simple Mexican rice or a crisp green salad to balance the richness and spice.
Creative Ways to Present
For a casual meal, serve in shallow bowls with tortillas on the side. For a fun twist, stuff the Ground Beef with Potatoes and Spicy Tomato Sauce Recipe into warm pita pockets or taco shells, adding shredded cheese and chopped onions for extra texture.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Transfer any leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate within two hours of cooking. The flavors meld beautifully overnight, making for a tastier meal the next day. Consume within 3 days for best quality.
Freezing
This recipe freezes very well! Cool completely before portioning into freezer-safe containers. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Just be sure to thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and ensuring it warms evenly. Add a splash of water if the sauce thickens too much. Microwaving is fine too; cover and heat in short bursts, stirring in between.
FAQs
Can I use other types of potatoes for this recipe?
Absolutely! While Russet or white potatoes work best because of their texture, Yukon Gold or red potatoes can also be delicious. Just keep in mind that waxier potatoes might not crisp up as much.
How spicy is this Ground Beef with Potatoes and Spicy Tomato Sauce Recipe?
The heat level depends on the number of serrano chiles you add. Using one chile yields mild heat, while two or more adds a noticeable kick. You can always adjust to your preferred spice tolerance.
Is it possible to make this recipe vegetarian?
Yes! Swap the ground beef for crumbled tofu, tempeh, or a plant-based ground meat substitute. The spices and sauce will still work magic to create a satisfying vegetarian version.
What can I use as a substitute for Mexican oregano?
If you don’t have Mexican oregano, regular oregano or a mix of dried marjoram and basil can be used. Just use slightly less since the flavor profiles differ.
Can I prepare any parts of this recipe in advance?
Definitely! You can dice the potatoes ahead of time or prepare the spicy tomato sauce in advance and store it in the fridge. Just cook the potatoes fresh for the best crispiness.
Final Thoughts
This Ground Beef with Potatoes and Spicy Tomato Sauce Recipe is one of those dishes that feels like a warm hug on a plate—comforting, flavorful, and easy to pull together on any night. Give it a whirl, and I promise it will become a favorite you return to again and again. Nothing beats the joy of sharing vibrant flavors made simply, with love.
Print
Ground Beef with Potatoes and Spicy Tomato Sauce Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
Description
A hearty and flavorful Ground Beef with Potatoes recipe featuring crispy sautéed potatoes cooked with seasoned ground chuck and a spicy tomato-serrano chile sauce, simmered to perfection. This simple skillet dish offers a comforting combination of textures and bold flavors, perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner served with tortillas or rice.
Ingredients
Potatoes
- 1 medium Russet potato or 2 white potatoes, peeled and diced
Ground Beef Mixture
- 1 pound ground chuck
- 1 teaspoon salt (more to taste)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 small white onion, diced
Sauce
- 2 large Roma tomatoes, roughly chopped
- 1 to 2 serrano chiles, roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup water
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of Mexican oregano
Other
- 1/8 to 1/4 cup olive oil
Instructions
- Heat the oil: Heat the olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat to prepare for cooking the potatoes.
- Cook potatoes: Add the diced potatoes to the hot skillet and cook until they are browned and crispy, covering the pan to allow the potatoes to steam and cook through evenly. Once done, drain them on paper towels to remove excess oil and set aside.
- Brown ground beef: In the same skillet, add the ground chuck and cook over medium-high heat. Season with salt, garlic powder, cumin, and pepper. Cook the beef until it is fully browned, about 8 to 10 minutes, breaking it apart as it cooks.
- Sauté aromatics: Add the minced garlic and diced onion to the skillet with the browned beef. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the onion is translucent and the mixture is fragrant.
- Blend sauce: In a blender, combine the Roma tomatoes, serrano chiles, water, a pinch of salt, and Mexican oregano. Blend until smooth, then pour the sauce into the skillet with the beef mixture and bring it to a boil.
- Simmer with potatoes: Stir in the cooked potatoes into the skillet. Reduce the heat and simmer the mixture for 7 to 10 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the potatoes and beef well.
- Serve: Serve the ground beef and potatoes warm, ideally with warm tortillas or rice as a complement to the savory dish.
Notes
- Use russet potatoes for a fluffier texture or white potatoes for more firmness.
- Adjust serrano chiles quantity according to preferred spice level.
- Draining potatoes on paper towels helps keep them crispy.
- This dish pairs excellently with warm corn or flour tortillas or steamed rice.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated; the sauce may thicken further.
