When those chilly evenings roll in and all you want is something warm and satisfying, nothing beats a hearty meal made just for you. As a seasoned recipe developer and culinary writer, I’ve learned that some of the best meals are the ones that feel like a warm hug. That’s why I’m so excited to share one of my absolute go-to Cozy Ground Beef Recipes For Cold Evenings: this incredible Hearty Ground Beef and Potato Skillet. It’s the kind of dish that fills your kitchen with amazing aromas and your belly with pure comfort. I remember my mom making something similar on super cold nights, and the smell alone would make me feel so safe and happy. It’s simple, uses ingredients you probably already have, and comes together in one trusty skillet, meaning less cleanup for you!
This skillet isn’t just a meal; it’s pure, unadulterated comfort food that’ll make even the frostiest night feel cozy. If you’re looking for easy, family-friendly dinners that don’t mess around with complicated steps, you’ve found your match. You might also love this comforting chicken recipe for another easy weeknight option!
Why You’ll Love These Cozy Ground Beef Recipes For Cold Evenings
Honestly, this Hearty Ground Beef and Potato Skillet is a keeper for so many reasons. It’s exactly what you need when the temperature drops and you’re craving something wholesome and yummy:
- It’s Super Easy: Seriously, one pan means less fuss and less cleanup! Perfect for those nights you just don’t want to deal with a sink full of dishes.
- Pure Comfort Food: You can’t beat the combination of savory ground beef, tender potatoes, and sweet corn. It’s like a warm hug in a bowl.
- Family Friendly: Even picky eaters usually love this one. It’s packed with familiar flavors that everyone in the family can get behind.
- Quick to Make: Most of the magic happens right on the stovetop, so you can have a delicious, hearty dinner on the table in under an hour.
- Hearty and Filling: This isn’t a light meal. It’s got substance, thanks to the ground beef and potatoes, making sure everyone feels satisfied.
Gather Your Ingredients for the Hearty Ground Beef and Potato Skillet
Alright, let’s get everything ready for this amazing skillet meal! Having your ingredients prepped makes the whole cooking process a breeze, especially on a busy weeknight. Trust me, it makes all the difference.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 Tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 3 cups diced Yukon Gold potatoes
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- About 1 1/2 cups corn kernels (from about 3 ears of corn, or use frozen)
- 1 1/2 cups low sodium beef broth
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese
Simple Steps for Cozy Ground Beef Recipes For Cold Evenings
Alright, let’s get this yummy skillet meal going! This is where the magic really happens, and trust me, it’s way easier than you might think. Following these simple steps will have you enjoying a super comforting dinner in no time. These kinds of dishes are why I love cooking so much, especially when it’s cold outside!
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First things first, get that large oven-proof skillet nice and warm over medium heat with about a tablespoon of olive oil. Toss in your ground beef and chopped yellow onion. Cook ’em together until the beef is all browned up. Nobody likes pink beef, right? Season it up with some salt and pepper while it’s cooking. Once it’s done, carefully drain off most of the fat, but leave about a tablespoon behind – that’s gonna add some great flavor!
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Now, let’s build some flavor! Stir in the minced garlic, tomato paste, and Worcestershire sauce. Let that cook for about a minute or two, just until you can really smell the garlic. Then, add in your diced Yukon Gold potatoes, diced carrots, and corn. Give everything a good stir and let it cook for another 3 minutes. This little bit of cooking time helps get everything started.
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Pour in the low-sodium beef broth. Use your spatula to scrape up any little browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan – that’s where all the good stuff is! Turn up the heat just a bit to get it to a gentle boil. Once it’s bubbling, turn the heat down to medium-low, pop a lid on, and let it simmer. You’ll want to cook it for about 8 to 10 minutes, stirring every so often, until the veggies are *almost* tender. Then, take the lid off and let it cook a bit longer until most of the liquid has soaked into everything. Taste it and add more salt and pepper if it needs it. This part gets the whole house smelling amazing!
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Here comes the cheesy finale! Sprinkle the shredded Mexican blend cheese all over the top. Now, carefully pop that whole skillet under the broiler for about 2 to 3 minutes. Keep an eye on it – you just want the cheese to melt into gooey perfection and get a little golden brown. Then, carefully take it out of the oven. Voila! Your delicious skillet meal is ready to serve. You can find more super easy weeknight ideas like this weeknight chicken recipe!
Tips for Perfect Cozy Ground Beef Recipes For Cold Evenings
Getting a really delicious, comforting meal on the table is all about a few little tricks! Based on years of cooking and tinkering in my own kitchen, here are some tips to make sure your Hearty Ground Beef and Potato Skillet turns out absolutely perfect every time. These little bits of advice are what make a good dish great, and they’re perfect for anyone looking for Cozy Ground Beef Recipes For Cold Evenings.
Get That Beef Browned Right: Don’t be shy with browning the ground beef. You want those little bits to get nice and golden brown, not just grey. That browning is where so much flavor comes from! Make sure to break up the beef well so it cooks evenly. Also, when you drain the fat, leave a tablespoon or so behind. That little bit of fat is pure flavor!
Veggies Almost Tender is Key: When you’re simmering the potatoes and carrots, aim for “almost tender.” They’ll finish cooking as most of the liquid absorbs, and especially if you broil them. If they’re already super soft, they might turn mushy after those last few minutes. A good rule of thumb is to poke one with a fork – it should have a little resistance, but not be hard.
Don’t Fear the Broiler, But Watch It!: The broiler is your friend for that gorgeous, melty, bubbly cheese topping. It’s super fast, so please, please watch it! You want golden and bubbly, not burnt. Ovens vary, so if you’re not sure, start checking after just a minute. It goes from perfect to black really quickly!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
You can totally swap things around if you need to! For the potatoes, if you can’t find Yukon Gold, Russets work too, but they might get a little softer. If you’re out of beef broth, chicken broth works in a pinch. And for the corn, frozen corn is a total lifesaver and works just as well as fresh!
Make-Ahead and Storage for Easy Ground Beef Dinner
You know, the beauty of this Hearty Ground Beef and Potato Skillet is that it’s pretty fantastic the next day, too! If you want to get a head start, you can totally prep the veggies – chop those onions, dice the potatoes and carrots – and store them in airtight containers in the fridge for a day or two. You can even brown the ground beef and drain it ahead of time. Then, when you’re ready to cook, it’s just a matter of sautéing the aromatics, adding everything else, and cooking it up.
Leftovers? Oh yeah, they store beautifully! Let the skillet cool down completely, then pop it into an airtight container and into the fridge. It’ll keep well for about 3-4 days. To reheat, just pop it back into a skillet over medium heat or even gently microwave it. My personal favorite is to reheat it on the stovetop, maybe with a splash of extra beef broth if it looks a little dry, and then give it a quick zap under the broiler again if I’m feeling fancy to get that cheese melty.
It’s one of those meals that tastes just as good, if not better, the next day! For more handy make-ahead magic, check out my tips for simple chicken!
Frequently Asked Questions About Cozy Ground Beef Recipes For Cold Evenings
Got questions about making this super cozy skillet? I totally get it! It’s one of those recipes that’s so versatile, and I’m happy to share a few little secrets to make sure it’s perfect for you. If you’re looking for more inspiration and want to read about other wonderful cooks, you can always check out some of the amazing people in the industry, like Jennifer Taylor. These are some of the things I get asked about most when people are whipping up Cozy Ground Beef Recipes For Cold Evenings like this one!
What are the best potatoes for this skillet meal?
Yukon Gold potatoes are my top pick because they hold their shape nicely and have a lovely creamy texture when cooked. They won’t turn to mush!
Can I add other vegetables to this ground beef recipe?
Absolutely! Feel free to toss in some diced bell peppers with the onions, or add a handful of frozen peas towards the end. Broccoli florets or chopped green beans would be great too!
How do I prevent the potatoes from being too hard or too mushy?
Make sure your potatoes are diced evenly and not too big. Also, keep an eye on your liquid level during the simmer; you want enough broth to cook them through but not so much that they boil endlessly and get soft.
Estimated Nutritional Information
Just a heads-up, the nutritional info for this Hearty Ground Beef and Potato Skillet is an estimate, okay? Things like the brand of beef broth you use or even the fattiness of the ground beef can change these numbers a bit. But generally, you’re looking at something pretty hearty, around 550-650 calories per serving, with a good balance of protein, carbs, and healthy fats. It’s a solid, satisfying choice for a cold night!
Share Your Cozy Creations
I just love hearing from you all! If you whip up this Hearty Ground Beef and Potato Skillet, tell me all about it in the comments below. Did you tweak it? Did your family love it? I also love seeing your photos, so feel free to share them on social media and tag me! If you have any burning questions or want to share your own kitchen triumphs, I’m all ears!
Hearty Ground Beef and Potato Skillet
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Heat the oil in a large oven-proof skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and onions and cook until browned. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Drain all but one Tablespoon of fat from the skillet.
- Stir in the garlic, tomato paste, and Worcestershire sauce. Cook for 1-2 minutes. Add the diced potatoes, carrots, and corn and cook for another 3 minutes.
- Stir in the beef broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Increase the heat and bring to a gentle boil. Cover and cook on medium-low for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are almost tender. Remove the cover and continue to cook until most of the liquid is absorbed. Season the mixture to taste with salt and pepper.
- Sprinkle the cheese on top and place under the broiler for 2-3 minutes, or until melted and golden brown.
Notes
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Bella Simmons is an accomplished culinary content creator who specializes in transforming classic comfort dishes into fresh, approachable recipes for the modern home cook. Known for her warm teaching voice, dependable techniques, and flavor-forward approach, Bella has become a trusted resource for readers who want meals that are both memorable and manageable. Her mission is simple: to help home cooks feel confident, inspired, and excited every time they step into the kitchen.
Bella’s career began in local bakeries and small café kitchens, where she developed a deep appreciation for homemade food and the emotional connection people share with recipes passed down through generations. After honing her craft in pastry work and savory cooking, she transitioned into food media and recipe writing, eager to reach more cooks than she ever could from behind a bakery counter. Her early success writing for digital food platforms and community cookbooks opened the door to larger opportunities, allowing her to merge her passion for storytelling with her culinary expertise.
Over the years, Bella has collaborated with food brands, kitchenware companies, and cooking educators to develop trusted recipes, step-by-step tutorials, and educational culinary resources. Her work has been shared across online cooking communities and featured in recipe roundups for its clarity, creativity, and consistently delicious results. Bella is especially known for her approachable technique breakdowns—helping readers understand why a recipe works, not just how to make it.
