The Old-Fashioned One-Pan Beef and Potato Dinner Everyone Comes Back For
There are certain dinners that don't need fancy ingredients, complicated techniques, or a beautifully set table to make people happy.
Classic Hamburger Hash is one of those meals.
It's the kind of old-fashioned skillet dinner many of us remember from childhood: savory ground beef, tender potatoes, and onions cooked together until everything is deeply flavorful and the potatoes develop those irresistible golden edges.
Nothing fancy.
Nothing fussy.
Just a hot skillet filled with simple, comforting food.
And sometimes, that's exactly what dinner should be.
I especially love this recipe on evenings when I open the refrigerator and don't feel inspired to cook. If there's a package of ground beef and a few potatoes in the kitchen, dinner is already halfway figured out.
One pan.
Simple ingredients.
Very little cleanup.
And a meal hearty enough to bring everyone to the table before you even have to call them.
Why You'll Love This Classic Hamburger Hash
This recipe has remained popular for a reason.
- Made with inexpensive ingredients
- Cooked in one skillet
- Hearty and filling
- Easy to customize
- Perfect for busy weeknights
- A great way to use extra potatoes
- Family-friendly
- Delicious for breakfast or dinner
- Reheats beautifully
The combination of beef and potatoes may be simple, but when cooked correctly, the flavor is incredible.
The beef leaves savory browned bits in the skillet.
The onions soften and become slightly sweet.
And the potatoes absorb all those wonderful pan flavors while developing crisp, golden edges.
That's where the magic happens.
What Is Hamburger Hash?
Hamburger hash is a traditional skillet meal typically made with ground beef, diced potatoes, and onions.
The word "hash" generally describes a dish of chopped ingredients cooked together, often in a skillet.
There are countless versions.
Some families add bell peppers.
Others add tomatoes.
Some cover the entire skillet with cheese.
And plenty of people crack eggs over the top and serve it for breakfast.
But the classic version is wonderfully straightforward.
Beef. Potatoes. Onion. Seasonings.
Cooked together in one skillet until tender and golden.
It's humble food at its absolute best.
Ingredients You'll Need
This recipe serves approximately 4 to 6 people.
The Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 4 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, if needed
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
Optional Garnish
- Fresh chopped parsley
- Sliced green onions
These seasonings give the hash plenty of flavor without overpowering the simple beef and potatoes.
What Kind of Ground Beef Is Best?
I usually use 85/15 ground beef for hamburger hash.
It has enough fat to provide plenty of flavor without leaving the skillet excessively greasy.
You can also use:
- 80/20 ground beef
- 90/10 lean ground beef
- Ground chuck
If using fattier beef, drain some of the excess grease after browning.
Don't necessarily remove every drop.
A small amount of beef fat adds wonderful flavor to the potatoes.
If you're using very lean ground beef, you may need a tablespoon of olive oil or butter to help the potatoes brown.
The Best Potatoes for Hamburger Hash
Potatoes are just as important as the beef in this recipe.
Russet Potatoes
Russets develop wonderfully crisp edges and soft, fluffy centers.
They're my first choice for a classic hamburger hash.
Yukon Gold Potatoes
Yukon Gold potatoes have a naturally buttery flavor and hold their shape beautifully.
They create a slightly creamier hash.
Red Potatoes
Red potatoes remain firm during cooking.
They're a good choice if you prefer more defined pieces of potato.
Whatever variety you choose, the most important thing is cutting the potatoes into small, evenly sized cubes.
Aim for approximately ½-inch pieces.
Smaller potatoes cook faster and develop more golden edges.
And those golden edges are arguably the best part of the entire dish.
