What’s better than a home-cooked meal? A home-cooked meal with only ONE pot to clean! I love eating delicious food, but my love for a clean kitchen is a close second. If you’re like me, the pile of dishes is the biggest buzzkill after a satisfying dinner. That’s why I’m obsessed with my Hidden Veggie Beef & Potato Hash. It’s a complete, hearty family dinner that cooks in a single skillet, much like a classic cowboy beef and potato hash. You get ground beef, crispy potatoes, and a sneaky boost of vegetables all in one go. The best part? You can walk away from the stove with a full belly and a nearly empty sink.
This dish is the ultimate weeknight hero. It’s a fast dinner recipe that feels like a cozy, home-cooked hug. Let’s dig into how to make it.
Recipe Overview
Here’s the quick snapshot of what you’re making. Simple, straightforward, and totally doable on a busy night.
- Cuisine: American
- Category: Dinner, One-Pot Meal
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Servings: 4-6
The Magic of a One-Pot (or One-Pan) Meal
I have a simple kitchen philosophy: maximum flavor, minimum cleanup. One-pan meals are the perfect example of this. Everything cooks together, which means the flavors have a party right in the pot.
The potatoes soak up the savory beef juices. The veggies soften and sweeten the whole dish. You only have one main piece of cookware to wash. It’s efficient cooking at its finest, and it makes getting dinner on the table so much less stressful.
Hidden Veggie Beef & Potato Hash Recipe
The Full Ingredient List
My “Less Mess” Cooking Method (Step-by-Step)
Notes
Enjoy your homemade Hidden Veggie Beef & Potato Hash Recipe!
Nutrition Information
All You Need (One Pot & These Ingredients)
Gathering your gear is easy. You’ll need one large, oven-safe skillet. A cast iron or a heavy stainless steel pan works best. That’s your main tool!
The ingredient list is full of pantry staples and fresh basics. The “hidden veggie” part is simple. We use grated zucchini and carrots. They melt right into the beef and potatoes, adding moisture and nutrients without a fuss.
The Full Ingredient List
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1.5 lbs Yukon Gold potatoes, diced into 1/2-inch cubes
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 1 medium zucchini, grated
- 1 large carrot, grated
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Optional for serving: fresh parsley, shredded cheese, or a fried egg
My “Less Mess” Cooking Method (Step-by-Step)
Follow these steps for a smooth cooking process. I’ve included my little tricks to keep the mess contained to that one pan.
- Prep First: Dice, grate, and mince all your ingredients before you start cooking. This “mise en place” stops the frantic chopping and makes the actual cooking calm.
- Brown the Beef: Heat your large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until no longer pink. Transfer it to a clean bowl or plate. This step builds flavor and lets us cook the potatoes properly.
- Crisp the Potatoes: Add the olive oil to the same skillet. Add the diced potatoes. Let them cook for 5-7 minutes without stirring too much. This gives them a golden, crispy crust. Season with salt, pepper, and half the spices.
- Soften the Aromatics: Push the potatoes to the sides of the pan. Add the diced onion to the center and cook for 3 minutes until soft. Then, add the grated zucchini, carrot, and garlic. Stir everything together.
- Combine and Simmer: Add the cooked beef back into the skillet. Sprinkle in the remaining spices. Give it all a good stir. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover with a lid (or foil), and let it cook for 10-15 minutes. This steams the potatoes to tender perfection.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the lid. Let any excess liquid cook off for a final 2-3 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve hot right from the skillet!
Pro-Tips for Perfect One-Pot Cooking
These little hints will power up your one-pot game. They make sure everything turns out just right.
Use the right size pan. A 12-inch skillet is ideal. If your pan is too small, the food will steam instead of brown. Too big, and the juices can burn.
Don’t crowd the potatoes. Give them space in the hot oil for that crucial crispy texture. Cook them in a single layer if you can.
Let the liquid cook off. After the covered simmering step, taking the lid off for a few final minutes is key. It gets rid of sogginess and concentrates the flavors.
Storing & Reheating (Easy!)
This hash is fantastic for leftovers. It might even taste better the next day as the flavors grow.
Let the hash cool completely. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat, simply warm a portion in a skillet over medium heat with a tiny splash of water. You can also use the microwave. It’s a ready-made lunch or another fast dinner!
Nutrition Notes
This is a balanced and satisfying meal. Here’s a simple breakdown of what you’re getting per serving.
- High in Protein: Thanks to the lean ground beef.
- Fiber-Rich: From the potatoes, zucchini, and carrot.
- Vitamin Boost: Carrots provide Vitamin A, and potatoes offer Vitamin C.
- Customizable: You can control the salt and use lean beef to fit your dietary needs.
Your One-Pot Questions, Answered
I get a few common questions about this recipe. Here are the quick answers to make your life easier.
Can I make this with a different meat?
Absolutely! Ground turkey, chicken, or even pork sausage work wonderfully. Just adjust the cooking time based on the fat content. Leaner meats might need a touch more oil.
My potatoes aren’t getting tender. What did I do wrong?
The most common issue is cutting the potatoes too big. Aim for a consistent 1/2-inch dice. Also, make sure you add that lid for the steaming step. That trapped heat is what cooks them through after browning.
Can I freeze this hash?
You can, but the texture of the potatoes can become a bit grainy after thawing. For the best quality, I recommend enjoying it fresh or from the fridge. If you do freeze, use it within 2 months.
So there you have it. A complete, delicious, and sneaky-nutritious dinner that saves you from a mountain of suds. This ground beef and potato dinner is a family favorite for a reason. It’s hearty, it’s simple, and it makes everyone happy—especially the person doing the dishes.
Give this one-pot wonder a try on your next busy evening. I promise your kitchen will thank you. And if you’re looking for a baked version of this classic flavor combo, you must try the ultimate ground beef and potato casserole. Enjoy all that flavor (and your clean kitchen!). Let me know how it went by leaving a comment and rating below!
