Mom’s Picadillo con Papa is a comforting Mexican dish made with savory ground beef, tender potatoes, and a blend of aromatic spices like cumin, paprika, and cinnamon. This hearty recipe is often enhanced with optional ingredients like sweet raisins and tangy green olives, creating a perfect balance of flavors. It’s a versatile meal that can be served with rice, tortillas, or enjoyed on its own, making it a delicious and satisfying family favorite.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef (preferably lean)
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced into small cubes
- 1 medium tomato, chopped
- 1/2 cup beef broth (or water)
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup raisins (optional, but adds a lovely sweetness)
- 1/4 cup sliced green olives (optional, for a savory kick)
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
Directions:
- Brown the Ground Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Once the oil is hot, add the ground beef. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to break up the beef into small crumbles as it cooks. Stir occasionally to ensure it cooks evenly. Once the beef is browned and no longer pink, drain off any excess fat, if necessary. Set the beef aside.
- Sauté the Onion and Garlic: In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and garlic to the drippings left by the beef. Cook over medium heat for about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. The onions should become soft and translucent, and the garlic will release its fragrant aroma. This step helps to build a savory base for your picadillo.
- Add the Potatoes and Tomato: Once the onion and garlic are cooked, stir in the diced potatoes and chopped tomato. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. You want the potatoes to lightly brown and the tomatoes to start breaking down. This helps the flavors develop while the potatoes absorb the seasoning.
- Season and Simmer: Add the beef broth (or water if you don’t have broth) to the pan. This will create a little bit of liquid to help cook the potatoes and infuse all the flavors together. Stir in the cumin, paprika, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. These spices give the dish its signature flavor profile—earthy cumin, smoky paprika, and a hint of sweetness from the cinnamon. If you’re using crushed red pepper flakes for some heat, add them here as well.
- Let it Cook: Bring the mixture to a simmer and cover the skillet with a lid. Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the dish cook for about 15 minutes. During this time, the potatoes will cook through and become tender. Stir occasionally, checking to make sure there’s enough liquid; if the dish seems too dry, add a little more broth or water. The goal is to have tender potatoes with a flavorful sauce that has slightly thickened.
- Add the Optional Ingredients: Once the potatoes are nearly done, stir in the raisins and green olives (if using). The raisins will plump up and provide a sweet contrast to the savory beef, while the olives bring a briny tang. Let everything simmer for another 5 minutes to meld the flavors together. Taste and adjust the seasoning, adding more salt, pepper, or spices as needed.
- Finish and Serve: Once the potatoes are tender and the flavors have melded together, remove the skillet from the heat. Garnish your picadillo with a generous sprinkle of freshly chopped cilantro for a fresh, vibrant touch. Serve this comforting dish hot with rice, tortillas, or a simple green salad on the side.
Tips and Variations:
- Rice: Serve your picadillo over a bed of fluffy white rice or brown rice to make it a complete meal.
- Vegetarian Option: For a meatless version, you can replace the ground beef with lentils or mushrooms for a similar texture. Just be sure to adjust the seasoning to your liking.
- Sweetness: The raisins are optional, but they bring a lovely sweetness that balances the savory and spiced flavors of the dish. You can also add a small handful of diced carrots for an extra layer of sweetness and color.
- Olives: The green olives add a burst of briny flavor that complements the richness of the beef and potatoes. You can use black olives if you prefer, but green olives tend to have a stronger, more tangy flavor.
Nutritional Information:
- ⏰ Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 25 minutes | Total Time: 35 minutes
- 🔥 Kcal: 350 kcal per serving | 🍽️ Servings: 4 servings
This hearty, comforting dish of Picadillo con Papa is a wonderful way to enjoy ground beef in a flavorful and satisfying meal. It brings together a balance of savory, sweet, and tangy elements that make it a favorite in many Mexican households. With its tender potatoes, seasoned ground beef, and optional additions of raisins and olives, it’s a versatile dish that can be easily adapted to suit your tastes. Whether served on its own or with a side of rice, this dish will surely become a family favorite.