Nothing beats a classic Ground Beef and Potatoes skillet, easy to make at home or over a campfire. Ready in under an hour, this simple recipe turns everyday ingredients into a hearty, comforting meal everyone will love.
This hamburger and potato recipe first won me over on a camping trip and has been a favorite ever since. Tender potatoes, sweet carrots, and seasoned beef baked in creamy soup make a cozy, delicious dinner everyone will enjoy. With just a few pantry staples, it’s perfect for busy weeknights or anytime you want a warm, filling meal without the fuss.
Looking for easy ground beef dinner ideas? Try my ground beef stew and easy beef stroganoff.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to Make: This ground beef and potatoes recipe is ready in under an hour, with minimal prep, making it perfect for busy nights.
- Hearty and Flavorful: Tender potatoes and ground beef are baked in a creamy soup, delivering a comforting and delicious meal.
- One-Pan Convenience: Everything cooks together in a single skillet for easy cleanup. For another one-pan favorite, try my spaghetti and meatballs.
- Perfect for Camping: This easy camp dinner brings cozy, hearty flavors to the outdoors with minimal effort.
Ingredients
- Ground Beef: Use 80/20 ground beef for the best flavor and juiciness in this ground beef and potato recipe.
- Potatoes: Choose firm, starchy potatoes, such as russets or Yukon Gold, for even cooking. Cut them into even-sized cubes so they cook at the same rate. Fans of tender, flavorful potatoes will love my cheesy hasselback potatoes.
- Carrots: Fresh carrots work best; peel if the skin is thick. Cutting the potatoes into sticks helps them roast evenly.
- Cream of Celery Soup: Provides the creamy base that holds everything together. You can substitute with cream of mushroom if you prefer.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Ground Turkey or Chicken: Swap the beef for ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option that’s just as flavorful. For more creative ground turkey recipes, try my savory turkey and stuffing meatballs.
- Loaded Veggie: Add bell peppers, corn, or peas to the skillet to bulk up the veggies and add color.
- Potato Swap: Try sweet potatoes instead of regular potatoes for a slightly sweet, nutrient-packed alternative.
- Cheesy Stuffed Twist: Make small pockets in the beef patties and fill with cheese for a surprise cheesy center.
How to Make Ground Beef with Potatoes
This ground beef with potatoes skillet is a simple, hearty meal that’s perfect for a cozy night at home or an easy camping dinner. To start, preheat the oven to 350°F and get two 10” skillets or oven-safe dishes ready.
- Step 1: Season the Beef. Divide a pound of ground beef into two portions. Sprinkle each with a little seasoning salt and black pepper, then shape into thin patties.
- Step 2: Add to Skillet. Press each half of the beef into a skillet.
- Step 3: Add the Vegetables. Cube a large potato and cut carrots into sticks. Divide them evenly between the two skillets and season with the remaining salt and pepper.
- Step 3: Add the Creamy Base. Spread half a can of cream of celery soup over the beef and vegetables in each skillet.
- Step 4: Cover and Bake. Tightly cover the skillets with foil and bake for 45–60 minutes until the beef is fully cooked and the potatoes and carrots are tender. Remove from the oven, carefully uncover, and serve hot for a cozy dinner with some fresh Dutch oven bread.
Expert Tips
- Choose the Right Potatoes: Use starchy potatoes, such as russets or Yukon Gold, and cut them into uniform cubes so they cook evenly and don’t become mushy.
- Don’t Overmix the Beef: Lightly season and shape the ground beef into thin patties; overworking can make it dense instead of tender.
- Prep Ahead: You can assemble the skillets a few hours in advance, cover tightly with foil, and keep in the fridge until ready to bake.
- Check for Doneness: Test potatoes with a fork and make sure the beef reaches an internal temperature of 160°F for safe, juicy results.
- Storage & Reheating: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat covered in the oven at 350°F for 15–20 minutes or until warmed through.
Serving Suggestions
- This easy dinner for camping or a cozy weeknight meal pairs perfectly with a fresh garden salad and garlic parmesan pull-apart bread to round out the plate.
- Serve alongside roasted vegetables or steamed corn on the cob for a hearty, crowd-pleasing spread at your next potluck.
- For the perfect comfort meal, pair this dish with some baked beans and bacon to bring a sweet and smoky complement to the tender beef and potatoes.
Recipe FAQ
Form thin, wide patties so they cook evenly with the vegetables; thicker patties may need extra time in the oven.
Yes, covering with foil traps moisture, keeping the beef juicy and the vegetables soft without drying out.
Yes! Allow the cooked skillet to cool completely, then transfer to an airtight freezer-safe container. It can be frozen for up to 2–3 months. Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through, making sure the potatoes are fully heated.
It's super easy! Assemble the dish as instructed, all the way up through wrapping it in aluminum foil. Nestle the dish down in your coals and allow it to cook for 20-30 minutes. A campfire is much hotter than your oven, so the dish will cook more quickly. Check it halfway through to make sure it doesn't burn.
More Delicious Dinner Recipes
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Get the Recipe
Ground Beef and Potatoes Skillet
Equipment
- 2 10" cast iron skillet
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 teaspoon seasoning salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 potato large; cubed
- 2 cups carrots sticks
- 10.5 ounce cream celery soup
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Divide the ground beef into two ½ pound portions.
- Add ¼ teaspoon season salt and black better to each portion of ground beef, mix well and form into wide but thin patty; place one in each skillet.
- Divide the carrots and potatoes between both skillets.
- Season the vegetables with the remaining seasoning salt and pepper.
- Spread a half can of the cream of celery soup over both skillets.
- Cover tightly with foil and bake for 45-60 minutes until ground beef is cooked and potatoes and carrots are soft.
- Serve and enjoy.
Camping Meal Instructions
- Assemble dish as instructed. Nestle the dish down in your coals and allow it to cook for 20-30 minutes. A campfire is much hotter than your oven, so the dish will cook more quickly. Check it halfway through to make sure it doesn't burn.
Notes
- Cut the potatoes into uniform cubes so they cook evenly and don’t become mushy.
- Shape the ground beef into thin, wide patties to ensure they cook evenly with the vegetables.
- Cover the skillet tightly with foil to keep the beef juicy and the vegetables tender.
- Check the potatoes and carrots with a fork to ensure they’re soft and fully cooked before serving.
Nutrition
Dutch Oven Daddy is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
D says
Great dish!!!
Ned Adams says
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!
Edward says
What an amazing meal at home or camping! So hearty and delicious. Thank you!
Cami says
This is such an easy meal to throw together for camping. Nice and hearty and quick to prepare!