Mexican Picadillo

Mexican Picadillo

An easy and flavorful Mexican picadillo made from ground beef and potatoes cooked in homemade tomato sauce. The best weeknight meal!

Ingredients

  • small-medium roma tomatoes

    halved

    4
  • onion

    diced

    1 medium
  • garlic
    2 cloves
  • jalapeño pepper

    stemmed*

    1
  • kosher salt

    plus more as needed

    1 tsp
  • dried mexican oregano
    ½ tsp
  • ground cumin
    ¼ tsp
  • water
    ½ c
  • extra-virgin olive oil
    2 tsp
  • lean ground beef
    1 lb
  • russet potato

    diced

    1 medium
  • carrot

    diced

    1 large
  • frozen peas
    ½ c

Directions

  1. 1

    In a blender, combine the tomatoes, ½ of the diced onion, water, garlic, jalapeño pepper, ½ teaspoon of the kosher salt, Mexican oregano, cumin, and water. Blend until completely smooth.

  2. 2

    Heat the oil in a large skillet or sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the remaining ½ of the diced onion and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.

  3. 3

    Add the ground beef and sprinkle with the remaining ½ teaspoon of kosher salt. Cook for 6 minutes, breaking up the meat into small pieces as it cooks. Drain and discard any excess grease if necessary.

  4. 4

    Stir in the potatoes and carrots and cook for 5 more minutes. Pour in the pureed tomato mixture and stir to combine. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for 15 minutes.

  5. 5

    Uncover and cook for 5 more minutes. Stir in the frozen peas and cook uncovered for 5 more minutes, or until the potatoes and carrots are tender. If the meat starts to get dry, add in ¼ cup of water and continue cooking.

  6. 6

    Taste and season with more salt as needed.

Mexican Picadillo

Mexican Picadillo

207 cal

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About this Recipe

Looking for an incredibly flavorful and easy weeknight dinner that the whole family will love? This Mexican Picadillo recipe delivers on all fronts, transforming simple ground beef and vegetables into a truly satisfying meal.

What makes this Mexican picadillo truly stand out is the rich, homemade tomato sauce. Fresh Roma tomatoes, onion, garlic, and a jalapeño are blended with fragrant Mexican oregano and cumin to create a sauce that's bursting with authentic depth. This ensures every bite is incredibly satisfying, far surpassing any store-bought sauce, and it's surprisingly simple to make from scratch.

When you prepare this dish, you'll discover a hearty, comforting experience with perfectly tender diced potatoes and carrots nestled among savory lean ground beef. The aroma of toasted spices and fresh tomato will fill your kitchen as it simmers. The final addition of bright frozen peas adds a pop of color and sweetness, completing this easy main course. With just 207 calories per serving, it’s a wholesome choice for any evening.

While delicious as written, this versatile picadillo welcomes variations to suit your pantry or preferences. You could swap the russet potato for a sweet potato for a touch of sweetness, or add diced bell peppers along with the carrots for extra vegetables and color. For a spicier kick, you can include the seeds from the jalapeño pepper.

Serve this hearty Mexican picadillo simply with warm tortillas, a dollop of sour cream, or over a bed of fluffy rice. It's the perfect cozy family dinner that brings vibrant, homestyle flavors to your table.

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