High Protein Ground Beef Potatoes (Printable version)
Lean ground beef and tender potatoes combine for a nourishing, protein-rich main dish that's easy to prepare.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Proteins
01 - 1.1 lb lean ground beef (at least 90% lean)
→ Vegetables
02 - 1.3 lb russet potatoes, diced into 1 cm cubes
03 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 medium carrots, diced
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 3.5 oz baby spinach, roughly chopped
07 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
→ Pantry & Seasonings
08 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
09 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
10 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
11 - ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
12 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt (adjust to taste)
13 - ½ cup low-sodium beef broth
→ Optional Toppings
14 - ½ cup shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese (optional, for topping)
# How to Make It:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and carrots; sauté for 3–4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until aromatic, being careful not to burn.
03 - Increase heat to medium-high. Add ground beef, breaking apart with a spatula. Cook for 6–8 minutes until thoroughly browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat if necessary.
04 - Add diced potatoes, smoked paprika, dried thyme, kosher salt, and black pepper. Stir constantly for 2 minutes to evenly coat potatoes with seasonings and rendered fat.
05 - Pour in beef broth and bring to a gentle simmer. Cover with lid, reduce heat to low, and cook for 18–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until potatoes are fork-tender.
06 - Stir in baby spinach and cook for 1–2 minutes until just wilted. Remove from heat.
07 - Taste the mixture and adjust salt or pepper as needed to achieve proper seasoning balance.
08 - If desired, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the surface. Cover skillet and let stand for 2 minutes until cheese is melted and slightly bubbly.
09 - Garnish generously with fresh chopped parsley. Serve hot directly from the skillet or transfer to a serving platter.
# Expert tips:
01 -
- Its one of those rare meals where protein and comfort food coexist without either feeling like a compromise
- The whole family actually gets excited about it, and there is practically zero cleanup afterward
02 -
- The potato size really does matter, so take the extra minute to cut them uniformly or you will end up with some mushy pieces and some raw ones
- Low sodium beef broth is essential because regular broth will make the dish unbearably salty before you even add the cheese
03 -
- Drain the beef fat before adding potatoes or the dish will feel greasy rather than hearty
- The smoked paprika is what makes this taste special, so do not skip it or substitute regular paprika