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A white plate holds a serving of Poor Man's Meal (ground meat and potato hash) garnished with parsley, with a skillet of the dish and cherry tomatoes in the background.

Poor Man’s Meal

Chef Jenn
Poor Man’s Meal is one of those dishes that reminds me why I love cooking—simple, comforting, and made with ingredients you probably have on hand. It's the kind of recipe that feels like a warm hug at the end of a long day and proves you don’t need a big budget to make something delicious.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 542 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

  • 4 medium potatoes peeled and diced
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 14.5 ounces tomatoes diced, undrained
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • salt to taste
  • pepper to taste
  • pinch paprika optional
  • pinch garlic powder optional

Instructions
 

  • Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering.
  • Add the diced potatoes and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften and take on a little color.
  • Stir in the diced onions and cook for another 3 to 4 minutes, until the onions are translucent and fragrant.
  • Push the potatoes and onions to one side of the skillet to make room for the beef.
  • Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon or meat chopper, until fully browned. Drain any excess grease if needed using a spoon or by tilting the pan carefully.
  • Mix the beef with the potatoes and onions until well combined.
  • Pour in the undrained diced tomatoes and stir everything together.
  • Season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of paprika or garlic powder if you're using them.
  • Cover the skillet and simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring once or twice, until the potatoes are tender and the flavors have come together.
  • Serve hot, straight from the skillet, or scoop into bowls and enjoy every hearty, nostalgic bite.

Notes

Chef Jenn’s Tips

  • To save time, peel and dice the potatoes ahead and store them in water in the fridge.
  • Want more flavor? Add a splash of Worcestershire sauce or a sprinkle of shredded cheddar on top.
  • Don’t skip the seasoning; this recipe is simple, so salt, pepper, and that optional paprika go a long way.
  • Feel free to swap in frozen diced potatoes in a pinch, just thaw them first and reduce the cooking time slightly.

Nutrition

Serving: 1.5cupsCalories: 542kcalCarbohydrates: 44gProtein: 25gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 81mgSodium: 95mgPotassium: 1487mgFiber: 6gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 861IUVitamin C: 58mgCalcium: 63mgIron: 4mg

A Note on Nutritional Information

Nutritional information for this recipe is provided as a courtesy and is calculated based on available online ingredient information. It is only an approximate value. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site cannot be guaranteed.

Keyword budget-friendly dinner, economical recipe, frugal family meal, poor man's meal
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