Mashed Potatoes and Ground Beef

This Ground Beef Mashed Potatoes recipe is a hearty meal that's perfect for busy weeknights. With a base of creamy mashed potatoes that are topped with tender ground beef in a savory gravy, it's the ultimate comfort food and the whole family will enjoy it. 

Jump to:

• ❤️ Favorite things about this recipe
• 📝 Ingredients you'll need
• 🥣 Before you begin: essential tools
• 🥄 Step by step: instructions
• 👩‍🍳 Variations to make it your own
• 👍 Let's make the perfect recipe: Amira's tips
• 🧺 How to store leftovers
• ⌛ Make Ahead
• 🍽️ Perfect pairings: what to serve with
• 💬 Your questions answered: FAQs
• 📣 Related Recipes
• Mashed Potatoes and Ground Beef

Save this recipe by clicking on the ❤️ heart on the right-hand side of the screen or in the recipe card.

❤️ Favorite things about this recipe

• One of my favorite things about this recipe is that you only need pantry staples, so you may not even need to take a trip to the grocery store to enjoy this hearty dish.
• This meal is hearty, filling, and always a crowd favorite. Even with picky eaters. 
• Plus, you only need simple ingredients so you don't have to worry about taking a lot of time shopping for specialty ingredients. 

This is such a simple meal to make, yet it's filling, comforting, and so satisfying. With just a little bit of time and prep work, you can have a great meal for dinner. 

📝 Ingredients you'll need

Note: This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.

📋 Ingredient Notes / Variations

• Russet potatoes - I've found that russet potatoes are best for mashing. However, you can also use red potatoes for this easy recipe. 
• Garlic powder - This adds such a nice flavor to your mashed potatoes. Garlic salt would also work. 
• Unsalted butter - Unsalted butter is my go-to choice for this family-favorite recipe. However, if you only have salted butter, use that instead. 
• Heavy cream - Adds such a nice richness to the potatoes. Milk can also be used. 
• Salt and black pepper - These basic seasonings are the final touch to your potatoes and beef. 
• Olive oil - I like to use extra-virgin olive oil, but you can use whatever you have on hand. 
• Onion - When it comes to diced onion for cooking, I like to use yellow or sweet onion. 
• Garlic cloves - Fresh cloves of garlic give this tender a wonderful flavor. Garlic powder or jarred minced garlic will also work. 
• Lean ground beef - I like to use 80/20.  You can use your favorite blend. 
• Flour - All-purpose flour makes the base gravy mixture. 
• Worcestershire sauce - This pantry staple adds a rich flavor to the beef. 
• Tomato paste -  This adds a touch of rich flavor and texture to the ground beef mixture. 
• Beef broth - You can use canned broth or bouillon cube for this recipe. 
• Bay leaves - Don't forget to remove the bay leaves from the beef before you serve them. 
• Fresh thyme - Dried thyme can be used in a pinch. 

🥣 Before you begin: essential tools

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• Large pot 
• Large skillet
• Potato masher 

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🥄 Step by step: instructions

Note: This is an overview of the instructions. The detailed instructions are in the recipe card below.

1. Peel and dice potatoes into equal cubes, place in a deep pot, and cover with cold water. Add salt and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook uncovered for about 10-15 minutes or until fork tender. Drain.
2. While the potatoes are boiling, make the ground beef mixture. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and saute onion until translucent. Add garlic and continue to cook for 30 seconds.
3. Add ground beef and cook breaking it apart until browned and no longer pink.
4. Mix in flour then add thyme, bay leaves, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, and broth. Mix everything well and season with salt and pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer and continue cooking for 10 more minutes stirring occasionally until it thickens to a gravy consistency.
5. In a microwave-safe measuring cup add cream. Microwave until warm. Add butter to potatoes and mash with a potato masher or a fork.
6. Gradually pour in warm cream and mix until you reach the desired consistency. Season with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.
7. Serve mashed potatoes topped with ground beef.

👩‍🍳 Variations to make it your own

• I like to garnish this dish with a sprinkle of fresh thyme or sliced green onions. 
• For an extra creamy flavor add a dollop of sour cream into your mashed potatoes. 

👍 Let's make the perfect recipe: Amira's tips

• Dice your potatoes into similiar-sized pieces so that they cook evenly. 
• If your ground beef has a lot of fat, be sure to drain off the excess before you add the other ingredients. 
• We like to separate our ground beef and mashed potatoes until ready to serve. Once on the plate to serve, we add the ground beef on top of the mashed potatoes. 

🧺 How to store leftovers

Refrigerate -Store leftover mashed potatoes in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. You can also store the beef mixture in a separate container in the fridge for 3-4 days. 

Freeze - Both of these dishes can also be frozen for longer storage. Just make sure to cool them completely before placing them in the freezer. When ready to eat, thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating. 

Reheat- Both of these dishes reheat well, I like to reheat them on the stove top over low heat for 3 -5 minutes. You can also microwave individual servings. 

⌛ Make Ahead

​My family prefers this dish when freshly made. However, if you want to save time, you can make the potatoes and the beef and then reheat them at dinner time. Just make sure that you store them separately. 

🍽️ Perfect pairings: what to serve with

• You can turn this into a complete meal by serving it with a side dish like Mediterranean Green Beans, Mediterranean Roasted Vegetables, or steamed frozen peas. My family also likes it when I serve this easy recipe with these Fluffy Buttery Dinner Rolls. 
• And, to satisfy your sweet cravings you can never go wrong with these buttery raspberry thumbprint cookies.

💬 Your questions answered: FAQs

📣 Related Recipes

• ​This Doritos Casserole is a simple casserole that can be prepared ahead to save you time at dinner. Plus, it's a kid favorite so no dinner time complaints. 
• Ground Beef and Zucchini Casserole is a hearty meal that your whole family will love. Made with lean beef, fresh zucchini, and a flavorful tomato sauce, you can't go wrong. 
• Baked Ziti with Meat is a hearty and comforting meal that's perfect for a weeknight dinner.
• Tortellini Ground Beef is the perfect comfort food dinner for busy weeknights. Tender cheese-filled tortellini in a rich meat sauce topped with stretchy cheese, a hearty and satisfying meal for your family.
• This casserole is great for back-to-school nights when everything gets crazy. Check out these Healthy After School Snacks for ideas to help you during this busy season. 

I love to get to know my readers, so leave me a comment down below and let me know what your favorite ground beef recipe to make for your family is.

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