Tasty Ground Beef Potato Taco Casserole Recipe (7 Ingredients, 25 Minutes) by Donna John

The pantry was getting pretty bare. With some ground beef defrosting on the counter, baby Yukon gold potatoes in the pantry and tacos on my mind, I decided to try and make a recipe that combined the three. This tasty ground beef potato taco casserole recipe was the result. And if was a delicious and quick one at that!

This simple Mexican-inspired skillet casserole recipe only required seven simple ingredients and was on the table in about 25 minutes. Here is your short shopping list for this high-protein recipe: Yukon gold potatoes, olive oil, onion, ground beef (you could use ground turkey), taco seasoning (a packet or more homemade taco seasoning), a can of fire-roasted tomatoes and cheddar cheese. Check out the health benefits of protein.

My cooking tip for this easy ground beef taco potato casserole is to make sure to cut the potatoes smaller, so they cook faster. My potatoes were small, so I quartered them. If you only have larger potatoes, simply cut them into small cubes.

I scooped a portion of this hot, cheesy casserole onto my plate for dinner and added toppings I would put on a taco – chopped red onion, pickled jalapenos and fresh cilantro. With some refried beans on the side and some fresh guacamole, this was a satisfying high-protein budget dinner. My husband put the casserole into flour tortillas and ate them as tacos. Which is best? You decide!

Cuisine: American / Mexican / Tex-Mex
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 - 1 1/2 pounds small Yukon gold potatoes, cubed or quartered
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 ounce (1 packet) taco seasoning
• 14 ounces (1 can) fire-roasted tomatoes or tomatoes with green chiles
• 1 cup grated cheddar cheese (or your favorite cheese)

Here's how to make it: 

1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet with a lid over medium heat. Add the potatoes and onion. Cook, stirring often, about 5 minutes, or until the onions soften. Season with salt and black pepper.
   
2. Scoot the potatoes and onions over to one side of the skillet. Add the ground beef. Break the ground beef up as it begins to cook.
   
3. Once broken up, stir the meat into the potatoes and onions. Cook until meat is cooked through, about 5 minutes.
   
4. Add the can of tomatoes with their liquid and taco seasoning. Stir to combine.
   
5. Cook, stirring occasionally, until potatoes are tender and most of the liquid had absorbed, about 10 minutes.
   
6. Top with the grated cheese.
   
7. Cover the skillet and cook until cheese melts, about 1 to 2 minutes.
   
8. Serve with desired toppings. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and reheat in the microwave.
   

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