Description
Picadillo con Papa is a classic Mexican comfort dish combining ground beef and tender diced potatoes simmered in a flavorful tomato-based sauce with aromatic spices. This easy stovetop recipe offers a hearty and satisfying meal perfect for family dinners, served alongside rice or warm tortillas.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced small
- 1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium tomato, chopped (or 1/2 cup canned diced tomatoes)
Seasonings and Liquids
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1/4 cup tomato sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup water or beef broth
Garnish
- Chopped cilantro for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the potatoes: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced potatoes and cook for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are lightly browned and just tender.
- Cook the beef and aromatics: Push the potatoes to one side of the pan. Add ground beef, onion, and garlic to the pan. Cook for 5–7 minutes, breaking up the beef with a spatula, until browned and fully cooked. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Add tomatoes and spices: Stir in the chopped tomato, tomato sauce, ground cumin, chili powder, paprika, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix well to combine all ingredients.
- Simmer the mixture: Pour in the water or beef broth and stir everything together. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then cover the skillet. Cook for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are fully tender and the flavors meld together.
- Final seasoning and serve: Adjust seasoning as needed with additional salt or pepper. Garnish with chopped cilantro if desired. Serve hot with rice or warm tortillas for a complete meal.
Notes
- You can add peas, carrots, or green olives to the dish for added flavor and texture variations.
- This dish stores well in the refrigerator and tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop.
