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Cozy Poor Man’s Stew: Easy Ground Beef & Potato Dinner

poor mans stew with ground beef and potatoes - featured image
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A hearty, one-pot stew made with ground beef, potatoes, and simple pantry staples. Ready in about 45 minutes, it’s the ultimate comfort food for cold nights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 recommended)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced (about 1 cup)
  • 2 celery stalks, diced (about 1/2 cup)
  • 4 cups low-sodium beef broth
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained (fire-roasted preferred)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Salt and black pepper to taste (start with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper)
  • 1.5 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes (about 4–5 medium potatoes)
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)
  • Grated Parmesan cheese (for garnish, optional)

Instructions

  1. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart, until deeply browned, about 6-8 minutes. Transfer beef to a plate with a slotted spoon, leaving about 2 tablespoons of fat in the pot.
  2. Reduce heat to medium. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onions are translucent and vegetables begin to soften. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Pour in the beef broth, diced tomatoes (with juices), Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, dried thyme, and bay leaf. Stir, scraping the bottom of the pot. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Bring to a boil.
  4. Add the cubed potatoes and return the browned beef to the pot. Stir gently. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20-25 minutes until potatoes are tender.
  5. Test a potato cube with a fork; it should pierce easily but hold its shape. Adjust seasoning if needed. Remove and discard the bay leaf.
  6. Let the stew rest off the heat for 5 minutes before serving. Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley and Parmesan cheese if desired.

Notes

For a gluten-free version, check Worcestershire sauce and beef broth labels. The stew thickens as it cools; add extra broth if needed. For a thinner consistency, add 1/2 cup more broth during the last 5 minutes. For a thicker stew, mash a few potato cubes against the pot. Leftovers taste even better the next day.

Nutrition

Keywords: poor man's stew, ground beef stew, potato stew, easy dinner, one-pot meal, comfort food, weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://novanosh.com/cozy-poor-mans-stew-easy-ground-beef-and-potato-dinner/