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Mexican ground beef and potato skillet with melted cheese and cilantro in cast iron pan

Mexican Ground Beef and Potato Skillet

A one-pan dinner featuring seasoned ground beef, crispy potatoes, peppers, and melted cheese with bold Mexican spices.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 portions
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Mexican
Calories: 375

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tablespoons avocado oil or olive oil
  • 1 pound potatoes cut into 1/2 inch cubes, russet or Yukon gold
  • 1 pound lean ground beef 90/10 or 93/7
  • 1/2 cup yellow onion diced
  • 1 red bell pepper diced
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt adjust to taste
  • freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 4 ounces diced green chiles
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 cup cilantro chopped, plus extra for garnish
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheese Mexican blend or cheddar

Equipment

  • 12-inch cast iron skillet
  • Wooden spoon
  • Cutting board and knife

Method
 

  1. Heat the avocado oil in a 12-inch cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil shimmers (about 1 minute), swirl to coat the bottom, then reduce heat to medium. Add the potato cubes in a single layer and cook for 6 minutes, stirring every minute. The potatoes should develop golden brown edges and slight softening but still be firm when pierced.
  2. Push the potatoes to one side of the skillet. Add the ground beef to the empty side, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Add the diced onion and red bell pepper directly onto the beef. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes, breaking the beef into small crumbles as it browns until it loses all pink color. If beef releases excess fat, carefully spoon out excess grease, leaving about 1 tablespoon.
  3. Add the green chiles, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and cilantro to the skillet. Stir everything together, ensuring the spices coat the beef and potatoes well. Continue cooking for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are easily pierced with a fork and the beef is fully cooked through. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  4. Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top of the skillet. Let it sit for 1 minute without stirring, allowing the cheese to melt completely. Remove from heat, garnish with extra cilantro if desired, and serve immediately.

Notes

For extra heat, add diced jalapeƱos or use hot green chiles. Sweet potatoes can be substituted for regular potatoes. Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and can be frozen for up to 3 months. Reheat in a skillet with a splash of water for best results.