Description
Picadillo con Papa is a traditional Latin American dish featuring ground beef cooked with diced potatoes in a flavorful tomato-based sauce, seasoned with cumin, paprika, and oregano. This hearty and comforting main course is perfect for a family dinner and pairs wonderfully with rice, tortillas, or crusty bread.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup water or beef broth
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon ground oregano
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup chopped green olives (optional)
- Chopped cilantro for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Heat Oil and Sauté Onions: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened.
- Add Garlic: Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, taking care not to burn it.
- Brown the Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain excess fat if needed to reduce greasiness.
- Add Potatoes: Stir in the diced potatoes, combining thoroughly with the beef mixture.
- Add Sauce and Spices: Pour in tomato sauce and water (or beef broth). Add ground cumin, paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to distribute the flavors evenly.
- Simmer: Bring the mixture to a simmer. Cover and cook on low heat for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are tender and the sauce has thickened.
- Optional Olives: Stir in green olives if using, and cook uncovered for another 2–3 minutes to blend flavors.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with chopped cilantro if desired. Serve warm alongside rice, tortillas, or crusty bread.
Notes
- Picadillo con Papa is a comforting traditional dish with many regional variations.
- You can add peas, carrots, or raisins for additional texture and flavor.
- Using beef broth instead of water enhances the depth of flavor.
- For a leaner option, use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef.
