High Protein Ground Beef Potatoes (Print Version)

A satisfying dish combining lean beef and tender potatoes with spices for a balanced meal.

# What You 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

# How-To:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and carrots; sauté for 3–4 minutes until softened.
02 - Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Increase heat to medium-high and add ground beef. Cook, breaking up with a spatula, until browned and cooked through, about 6–8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
04 - Stir in potatoes, smoked paprika, thyme, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring to coat evenly.
05 - Pour in beef broth. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 18–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until potatoes are tender.
06 - Stir in baby spinach and cook for 1–2 minutes until wilted.
07 - Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
08 - Sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese, cover, and let cheese melt for 2 minutes before serving.
09 - Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It delivers serious protein without weighing you down or leaving you hungry an hour later
  • The cleanup is minimal but the satisfaction level is through the roof
02 -
  • Potatoes cut too large will still be raw when the beef is already drying out
  • Skipping the broth step results in potatoes that stay stubbornly crunchy in the center
03 -
  • Dice your potatoes uniformly so they all finish cooking at the same moment
  • Let the ground beef get properly browned with some crispy bits for maximum flavor