Southwest Ground Beef & Potato Skillet Recipe

I love a delicious, home-cooked meal more than anything. But I have a deep, passionate hatred for the mountain of dirty dishes that often follows. If you’re like me, you’ve found your people.

What’s better than a home-cooked meal? A home-cooked meal with only ONE pot to clean! That’s the entire magic behind this Southwest Ground Beef & Potato Skillet.

We’re talking about a complete, hearty dinner packed with flavor. And the best part? You can say goodbye to that dreaded sink full of pots, pans, and mixing bowls. If you enjoy easy skillet meals, you’ll also love our Chicken Taco Soup – One-Pot Cozy Dinner Everyone Loves.

Recipe Overview

Let’s get straight to the good stuff. Here’s everything you need to know about this lifesaver of a meal at a quick glance.

• Cuisine: American Southwest
• Category: Dinner
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Servings: 4-6

The Magic of a One-Pot (or One-Pan) Meal

I live for recipes that respect my time and my aversion to scrubbing. This dish is a true cleanup dream come true.

Recipe

Southwest Ground Beef & Potato Skillet Recipe

Make Southwest Ground Beef & Potato Skillet Recipe with simple ingredients and clear steps. Prep, cook, and enjoy—perfect for cozy evenings.

Author: Jennifer McDonallds

Prep: 15 min | Cook: 25 min | Total: 40 min

Serves: - 4 + bites

★ Rate 🖨 Print

The Full Ingredient List

• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 1 bell pepper (any color), diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 lb Yukon Gold potatoes, diced into ½-inch cubes
• 1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chiles (like Rotel), undrained
• 1 cup frozen corn
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp salt, or to taste
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 1 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
• Fresh cilantro or sliced green onions for garnish (optional)

The Full Ingredient List

• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 1 bell pepper (any color), diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 lb Yukon Gold potatoes, diced into ½-inch cubes
• 1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chiles (like Rotel), undrained
• 1 cup frozen corn
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp salt, or to taste
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 1 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
• Fresh cilantro or sliced green onions for garnish (optional)

My “Less Mess” Cooking Method (Step-by-Step)

1

Brown the Beef: Heat olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until no longer pink. Transfer the beef to a plate, leaving the drippings in the skillet. This prevents overcooking and keeps things tidy.

2

Sauté the Veggies: Add the diced onion and bell pepper to the same skillet. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until they begin to soften. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

3

Add Potatoes & Spices: Stir in the diced potatoes, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for 2 minutes, letting the spices toast and coat the potatoes. This builds a deep, flavorful base.

4

Combine and Simmer: Return the cooked ground beef to the skillet. Add the entire can of diced tomatoes with green chiles (with their juices) and the frozen corn. Stir everything to combine thoroughly.

5

Cook Through: Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the skillet with a lid, and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the potatoes are tender and easily pierced with a fork.

6

Add Cheese & Serve: Once the potatoes are tender, remove the skillet from the heat. Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top. If your skillet is oven-safe, you can pop it under the broiler for a minute to melt and bubble the cheese. Garnish with fresh cilantro or green onions and serve immediately.

Notes

Enjoy your homemade Southwest Ground Beef & Potato Skillet Recipe!

Nutrition Information

This is an estimated nutrition breakdown per serving.:

Calories: ~385

Protein: 25g

Carbohydrates: 28g

Fat: 18g

Packed with Vitamin C and Iron.:

Did You Make This?

Leave a review and tag us on social media!

Recipe

Southwest Ground Beef & Potato Skillet Recipe

Make Southwest Ground Beef & Potato Skillet Recipe with simple ingredients and clear steps. Prep, cook, and enjoy—perfect for cozy evenings.

Author: Jennifer McDonallds

Prep: 15 min | Cook: 25 min | Total: 40 min

Serves: - 4 + bites

★ Rate 🖨 Print

The Full Ingredient List

• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 1 bell pepper (any color), diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 lb Yukon Gold potatoes, diced into ½-inch cubes
• 1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chiles (like Rotel), undrained
• 1 cup frozen corn
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp salt, or to taste
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 1 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
• Fresh cilantro or sliced green onions for garnish (optional)

My “Less Mess” Cooking Method (Step-by-Step)

1

Brown the Beef: Heat olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until no longer pink. Transfer the beef to a plate, leaving the drippings in the skillet. This prevents overcooking and keeps things tidy.

2

Sauté the Veggies: Add the diced onion and bell pepper to the same skillet. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until they begin to soften. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

3

Add Potatoes & Spices: Stir in the diced potatoes, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for 2 minutes, letting the spices toast and coat the potatoes. This builds a deep, flavorful base.

4

Combine and Simmer: Return the cooked ground beef to the skillet. Add the entire can of diced tomatoes with green chiles (with their juices) and the frozen corn. Stir everything to combine thoroughly.

5

Cook Through: Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the skillet with a lid, and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the potatoes are tender and easily pierced with a fork.

6

Add Cheese & Serve: Once the potatoes are tender, remove the skillet from the heat. Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top. If your skillet is oven-safe, you can pop it under the broiler for a minute to melt and bubble the cheese. Garnish with fresh cilantro or green onions and serve immediately.

Notes

Enjoy your homemade Southwest Ground Beef & Potato Skillet Recipe!

Nutrition Information

This is an estimated nutrition breakdown per serving.:

Calories: ~385

Protein: 25g

Carbohydrates: 28g

Fat: 18g

Packed with Vitamin C and Iron.:

Did You Make This?

Leave a review and tag us on social media!

Everything cooks together in a single, trusty skillet. The flavors meld and build upon each other, creating a depth that’s hard to achieve otherwise. You get a fantastic meal with minimal effort and maximum satisfaction.

All You Need (One Pot & These Ingredients)

Gathering your ingredients is the hardest part of this recipe, and even that is a breeze. The ingredient list is simple and flexible.

You’ll notice the warm, smoky spices that give it that signature Southwest kick. They fill your kitchen with the most incredible aroma as everything cooks.

The Full Ingredient List

Here’s your shopping list for this flavor-packed, family-friendly dinner. Feel free to make it your own!

• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 1 bell pepper (any color), diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 lb Yukon Gold potatoes, diced into ½-inch cubes
• 1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chiles (like Rotel), undrained
• 1 cup frozen corn
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp salt, or to taste
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 1 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
• Fresh cilantro or sliced green onions for garnish (optional)

My “Less Mess” Cooking Method (Step-by-Step)

Follow these simple steps for a perfectly cooked dish and an even cleaner kitchen. I’ll point out my mess-saving tricks along the way.

1. Brown the Beef: Heat olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until no longer pink. Transfer the beef to a plate, leaving the drippings in the skillet. This prevents overcooking and keeps things tidy.
2. Sauté the Veggies: Add the diced onion and bell pepper to the same skillet. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until they begin to soften. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
3. Add Potatoes & Spices: Stir in the diced potatoes, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for 2 minutes, letting the spices toast and coat the potatoes. This builds a deep, flavorful base.
4. Combine and Simmer: Return the cooked ground beef to the skillet. Add the entire can of diced tomatoes with green chiles (with their juices) and the frozen corn. Stir everything to combine thoroughly.
5. Cook Through: Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the skillet with a lid, and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the potatoes are tender and easily pierced with a fork.
6. Add Cheese & Serve: Once the potatoes are tender, remove the skillet from the heat. Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top. If your skillet is oven-safe, you can pop it under the broiler for a minute to melt and bubble the cheese. Garnish with fresh cilantro or green onions and serve immediately.

PREPARATION

A few simple tricks can make your one-pot journey even smoother. These are the lessons I’ve learned from my own messy experiments.

Use the right size pot. A 10 or 12-inch oven-safe skillet is perfect. It gives everything enough room to cook evenly without overcrowding.

Don’t stir too much. Let the potatoes sit and develop a slight crust on the bottom. This adds wonderful texture and flavor to the final dish.

Dice your potatoes uniformly. This is the key to success! Similar-sized pieces ensure everything cooks at the same rate, so you don’t end up with some crunchy and some mushy potatoes. For another comforting ground beef dish, try our Hobo Casserole with Ground Beef & Hearty Potatoes.

Storing & Reheating (Easy!)

This meal is just as good the next day, making it a fantastic make-ahead option. The flavors have more time to get to know each other.

Let the skillet cool completely. Then, transfer the leftovers to an airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Reheat individual portions in the microwave until hot. For a larger portion, reheat it in a skillet on the stove over medium heat, adding a splash of water or broth to keep it moist.

Nutrition Notes

While I’m all about flavor and easy cleanup, it’s nice to know what you’re putting in your body. This is a hearty, balanced meal.

• This is an estimated nutrition breakdown per serving.
• Calories: ~385
• Protein: 25g
• Carbohydrates: 28g
• Fat: 18g
• Packed with Vitamin C and Iron.

If you’re looking for a sweet treat to follow this savory meal, don’t miss our Starbucks-Inspired Birthday Cake Pops – Sweet Treats You’ll Love.

Your One-Pot Questions, Answered

I get a lot of questions about this recipe. Here are answers to the most common ones to help you out.

Can I use a different type of potato?

Absolutely! Russet potatoes work well, but they can become a bit softer. I find Yukon Gold or red potatoes hold their shape best and have a creamier texture, which I love.

What if I don’t have an oven-safe skillet?

No problem at all! Simply sprinkle the cheese over the top, put the lid back on the skillet, and let it sit off the heat for a few minutes. The residual heat will melt the cheese beautifully.

How can I make this dish spicier?

For more heat, you have a few great options. Use a hot variety of Rotel, add a diced jalapeño with the onions and peppers, or include a ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper with the other spices.

So there you have it. A dinner that delivers on big, bold flavor without the big, scary cleanup. It’s the kind of meal that makes weeknights feel special and leaves you with a sparkling kitchen.

This is the ultimate win for anyone who loves to eat well but values their free time. You get a comforting, satisfying meal that truly brings everyone to the table.

Enjoy all that flavor (and your clean kitchen!). Let me know how it went by leaving a comment and rating below!