If you’re craving a comforting meal that brings bold flavors and hearty textures all in one, you have to try this Ground Beef with Potatoes in Spicy Tomato Sauce Recipe. This dish masterfully combines tender ground beef and crispy potatoes, all simmered in a vibrant, spicy tomato sauce that hits just the right balance between heat and savoriness. It’s a perfect weeknight dinner that feels like a warm hug on a plate, bursting with spice and rustic goodness that will quickly become a favorite in your recipe rotation.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Ground Beef with Potatoes in Spicy Tomato Sauce Recipe lies in its simple yet impactful ingredients. Each one plays a crucial role in building layers of flavor, from the crispy potatoes that add texture to the aromatic spices that make your taste buds dance.
- Russet or white potatoes: Peeled and diced, they offer a crispy, chewy contrast after being browned and steamed.
- Ground chuck: This beef cut is perfect for juiciness and flavor in the dish.
- Salt, garlic powder, cumin, and pepper: The essential spices for a deeply seasoned and fragrant base.
- Minced garlic and diced white onion: These aromatics infuse the dish with mouthwatering depth.
- Roma tomatoes: Their natural sweetness and acidity form the heart of the sauce.
- Serrano chiles: Add that exhilarating spicy kick without overpowering the other flavors.
- Water and Mexican oregano: Help balance and elevate the sauce, giving it a smooth texture and fragrant touch.
- Olive oil: For sautéing and crisping the potatoes just right.
How to Make Ground Beef with Potatoes in Spicy Tomato Sauce Recipe
Step 1: Prepare and Brown the Potatoes
Start by heating olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Toss in your peeled and diced potatoes and cook them until they’re beautifully browned and crispy. Cover the pan to steam the potatoes as they cook through, then drain on paper towels to keep them crisp before setting aside. This step ensures a wonderful contrast in texture that will elevate the dish.
Step 2: Brown the Ground Beef with Spices
In the same skillet, add the ground chuck and crank the heat up to medium-high. Season generously with salt, garlic powder, cumin, and pepper as you cook the beef until it’s a gorgeous golden brown, about 8 to 10 minutes. The spices meld with the beef juices creating a rich and savory foundation for the sauce.
Step 3: Add Garlic and Onion Aromatics
Next, stir in the minced garlic and diced onion, cooking them down for 2 to 3 minutes until they become fragrant and translucent. This mid-step adds wonderful layers of flavor and aroma, making the whole dish smell irresistible right in your kitchen.
Step 4: Make the Spicy Tomato Sauce
While the beef and aromatics cook, blend your chopped Roma tomatoes, serrano chiles, water, pinch of salt, and Mexican oregano until silky smooth. Pour this vibrant sauce into the skillet with the beef mixture and bring it all to a gentle boil. This sauce is where the spicy, zesty personality of the dish shines through.
Step 5: Combine Potatoes and Simmer
Finally, fold the cooked potatoes into the spicy tomato sauce. Reduce the heat and let everything simmer gently for 7 to 10 minutes until the sauce thickens up nicely and the flavors marry perfectly. This step ensures the potatoes soak up the delicious sauce while maintaining their crispiness.
How to Serve Ground Beef with Potatoes in Spicy Tomato Sauce Recipe
Garnishes
Adding simple garnishes like freshly chopped cilantro, a dollop of sour cream, or thinly sliced green onions can brighten the deep, spicy flavors and add a fresh, creamy contrast that guests will love.
Side Dishes
This dish pairs beautifully with warm corn or flour tortillas, perfect for scooping up every saucy bite. Alternatively, serve it alongside a bowl of fluffy white rice to soak up the spicy tomato sauce, making every mouthful fuller and more satisfying.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, turn this recipe into a hearty filling for tacos or stuffed peppers. You could also spoon it over roasted vegetables or creamy polenta for an elevated presentation that impresses without extra fuss.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
This Ground Beef with Potatoes in Spicy Tomato Sauce Recipe stores wonderfully in the fridge. Simply transfer leftovers to an airtight container and keep for up to 3 days, which makes for a super convenient and flavorful next-day meal.
Freezing
If you want to save it for longer, this dish freezes well. Allow it to cool completely, then pack into freezer-friendly containers. It will keep well for up to 3 months and thaw easily for a quick fix when time is tight.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through. You can also microwave it—just cover loosely to keep moisture in, warming in short intervals to avoid drying out.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of potato for this recipe?
Absolutely! While Russet or white potatoes work best due to their texture, you can experiment with red or Yukon Gold potatoes. Just keep in mind that waxier potatoes might not crisp up as much.
How spicy is this Ground Beef with Potatoes in Spicy Tomato Sauce Recipe?
The heat mainly comes from serrano chiles, which offer a moderate kick. If you prefer milder, reduce the chiles or remove the seeds; for more heat, add extra chiles or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
To make it vegetarian, substitute the ground beef with plant-based crumbles or cooked lentils. The potatoes and spicy tomato sauce will still make it rich and satisfying.
Is it possible to prepare this recipe in advance?
Yes! You can prepare the potatoes and sauce ahead of time separately, then combine and simmer just before serving for the freshest taste.
What can I use if I don’t have Mexican oregano?
If you don’t have Mexican oregano, regular oregano works fine, or you can skip it without drastically changing the dish. The other spices and aromatics will still provide great flavor.
Final Thoughts
There’s something incredibly comforting about this Ground Beef with Potatoes in Spicy Tomato Sauce Recipe. It feels like a warm gathering around the table, full of spice, heartiness, and that little bit of heat that keeps you coming back for more. Trust me, once you try it, it will become one of those dishes you crave on chilly evenings or when you need some serious flavor therapy. So grab your skillet, fire up your stove, and give this recipe a go — your taste buds will thank you!
Print
Ground Beef with Potatoes in Spicy Tomato Sauce Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
Description
A flavorful and hearty Ground Beef with Potatoes recipe featuring crispy pan-fried potatoes combined with seasoned ground beef simmered in a spicy tomato and serrano chile sauce. This easy-to-make dish delivers a comforting and satisfying meal perfect for family dinners, served best with tortillas or rice.
Ingredients
Potatoes
- 1 medium Russet potato or 2 white potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1/8 to 1/4 cup olive oil
- Pinch of salt
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
Instructions
- Heat Oil and Cook Potatoes: Heat olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the diced potatoes and cook until they are browned and crispy, covering the pan briefly to steam them through. Once cooked, drain the potatoes on paper towels and set aside.
- Cook Ground Beef: In the same skillet, add the ground beef and cook over medium-high heat. Season with salt, garlic powder, cumin, and pepper. Cook until the beef is browned and fully cooked, about 8 to 10 minutes.
- Sauté Garlic and Onion: Add minced garlic and diced onion to the skillet with the ground beef. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until fragrant and the onions begin to soften.
- Prepare and Add Sauce: Blend the Roma tomatoes, serrano chiles, water, salt, and Mexican oregano until smooth. Pour this tomato and chile sauce into the skillet with the beef mixture and bring it to a boil.
- Combine Potatoes and Simmer: Stir the cooked potatoes into the skillet. Reduce the heat and let the mixture simmer gently for 7 to 10 minutes or until the sauce thickens and flavors meld together.
- Serve: Serve the Ground Beef with Potatoes warm, ideally alongside tortillas or rice for a complete and satisfying meal.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of serrano chiles according to your preferred spice level.
- Using Russet potatoes will yield fluffier interior texture, while white potatoes hold shape better when diced.
- Covering the potatoes while cooking helps steam and cook them evenly while crisping.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated on stovetop or microwave.
- For a lower-fat option, use lean ground beef or substitute with ground turkey.
