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Picadillo con Papas (Easy Mexican Picadillo Recipe)

Picadillo con papas is a Mexican ground beef and potatoes recipe that’s simmered in a flavorful tomato sauce. It’s a simple, comforting and inexpensive meal that will have your family asking for seconds! The best part about it is it makes enough to have leftovers the next day! Who doesn’t love leftovers? If you enjoy this recipe then you’ll also love picadillo soup!

Picadillo con papas over white rice on a green plate.

Picadillo con papas is a family favorite in my house.

My kids can be pretty picky sometimes but this recipe isn’t something they complain about.

It’s super easy therefore making it a perfect weeknight dinner option.

This is one of the ultimate comfort foods in my opinion. This and fideo loco, which is a similar dish.

What is picadillo sauce made of?

This picadillo sauce is made from canned tomato sauce, water and spices.

It is simmered with ground beef and vegetables resulting in a delicious and flavorful sauce.

Some recipes will call for fresh tomatoes instead of a canned sauce.

This picadillo con papas recipe is very adaptable, so work with what you have in your kitchen.

Ingredients

Ground beef

I like to use ground chuck 80% to 20% lean to fat ratio.

Ground beef is a very versatile ingredient. I use it in a variety of recipes including taquitos, chiles rellenos and Mexican meatball soup.

Vegetables

You’ll need potatoes, carrots, onion, garlic and jalapeno. You could omit the carrots if you wish but I like to add them when I have them.

Spices and seasonings

I use ground cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper.

Tomato sauce

I like to use El Pato hot tomato sauce. If you can’t find it, then regular tomato sauce works fine.

Cilantro

This adds a fresh flavor to the picadillo. If you don’t like cilantro you can leave it out.

Is picadillo spicy?

Picadillo can be either spicy or mild.

It depends on how you make it.

To me, this recipe isn’t even that spicy.

However, if you are especially sensitive to spicy food then I recommend substituting green bell pepper for the jalapeno.

I would also suggest using regular tomato sauce instead of a hot tomato sauce.

How to make picadillo con papas

Make sure you have all the vegetables diced before you begin cooking.

It just makes things easier and faster.

Diced vegetables for Mexican picadillo

Now brown the ground beef over medium high heat in a large pot.

Once browned transfer to a large paper towel lined bowl to absorb all the grease.

But make sure to leave about 2 tablespoons worth of grease in the pot.

browned ground beef

Now add the onion, garlic and jalapeno to the pot.

Saute for a few minutes over medium heat.

Then add the potatoes, carrots and spices. Stir.

vegetables for picadillo in a pot

Next add the ground beef, tomato sauce and water. Stir well.

Cooking picadillo con papas in a pot.

This is the tomato sauce that I use.

el pato hot tomato sauce

It is a hot tomato sauce.

But honestly the picadillo doesn’t taste very spicy.

My kids are still able to eat it.

But if you are especially sensitive to spicy foods you can always use a regular tomato sauce..

Bring picadillo to a boil over medium high heat then cover and reduce heat to medium low.

Simmer for about 40 minutes or until the vegetables are fork tender.

Garnish the cooked picadillo with chopped cilantro if desired.

Serve the picadillo over some white rice or with warm tortillas or both.

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Picadillo con papas in a pot.

What do you eat picadillo with?

Picadillo is typically served with rice.

You can also serve it with warm flour or corn tortillas.

It’s also great as a filling for empanadas or gorditas.

Picadillo con papas recipe

This picadillo con papas recipe is a simple and comforting meal that the whole family can enjoy.

The leftovers make for a great lunch the next day.

I really hope you enjoyed today’s delicious recipe.

Let me know what you think of it in the comments below.

And don’t forget to leave it a rating.

Thanks for visiting, see you soon!

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picadillo in a pot
3.94 from 30 votes
Print

Picadillo con Papas

This picadillo con papas is a delicious meal made from ground beef, vegetables and spices. It's best served over white rice.

Course Main Course
Cuisine Mexican
Keyword mexican picadillo, mexican picadillo recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 6
Calories 435 kcal
Author Carissa

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs ground beef
  • 1/2 onion diced
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 2 potatoes diced
  • 1 whole carrot diced
  • 1 jalapeno diced
  • 2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • salt to taste
  • pepper to taste
  • 2 cans el pato hot tomato sauce
  • 1/2 cup water
  • cilantro optional

Instructions

  1. Dice all vegetables before cooking.

  2. Brown the ground beef over medium high heat in a large pot.

  3. Then transfer to a large paper towel lined bowl so the grease can drain.

  4. Leave about 2 tablespoons of grease in the pot.

  5. Now add the onion, garlic and jalapeno to the pot.

  6. Saute for a few minutes over medium heat.

  7. Then add the potatoes, carrots and spices. Stir.

  8. Add the ground beef, tomato sauce and water. Stir well.

  9. Bring the picadillo to a boil over medium high heat then cover and reduce heat to medium low.

  10. Simmer for about 40 minutes or until the vegetables are fork tender.

  11. Garnish with chopped cilantro if desired.

  12. Serve over white rice.

Nutrition Facts
Picadillo con Papas
Amount Per Serving
Calories 435 Calories from Fat 270
% Daily Value*
Fat 30g46%
Saturated Fat 11g69%
Cholesterol 107mg36%
Sodium 118mg5%
Potassium 735mg21%
Carbohydrates 10g3%
Fiber 2g8%
Protein 28g56%
Vitamin A 195IU4%
Vitamin C 11.7mg14%
Calcium 57mg6%
Iron 5.8mg32%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

If you liked my Mexican picadillo recipe then you should also give Puerto Rican picadillo a try!

Recipe Rating




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Maria

Friday 7th of July 2023

Oh no, what happened to the free recipe?

Carissa

Friday 7th of July 2023

It’s fixed.

Gianna A

Tuesday 8th of March 2022

I love this recipe! I noticed when I first made it, it wasn’t “wet” enough? Do you suggest adding canned diced tomatoes to help with this issue?

Carissa

Thursday 7th of April 2022

You can add a little more water if you like.

Renee

Tuesday 9th of June 2020

THIS WAS SUPER GOOD! MY HUSBANDS ABULIETA MADE THIS FOR US ONE DAY and I absolutely loved it. I am so glad that I stumbled on this recipe. My grocery store did not have that particular tomato sauce, so I added some jarred jalapeños and juice. Thanks for sharing!

Carissa

Thursday 11th of June 2020

Thank you, I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

Grace

Sunday 26th of April 2020

Thank you for this recipe. I made this TWICE, and my friends loved it, to think I seldom cook. And because i really dont like chopping vegetables, i made a modification and used 2 cups of frozen vegetables for the stated vegetables. This will be my go to recipe.

Carissa

Monday 27th of April 2020

I'm glad you liked it! I totally understand, I don't love chopping vegetable either.

Yoli

Monday 28th of October 2019

The hubby and I loved it. We will make it again because of how easy it was to prepare. Thank you and keep then recipes coming.

Nicole

Wednesday 17th of February 2021

I have issues with garlic and onion powders so I added extra of the real deal, This turned out amazing, after grabbing diced tomatoes in error bc I couldn't find the hot tomato sauce in the recipe, i added chili flakes, tapatio hot sauce, salsa, cayenne (out of Chili powder), left in the jalapeño seeds, and a little extra cumin. I also added a veggie bouillion instead of plain water and a yellow bell pepper. It was delicious over rice It's also making for a yummy lunch leftover - I'll be making this again for sure!

Carissa

Tuesday 29th of October 2019

I'm so glad you all enjoyed it! It's something I make frequently because of how simple yet delicious it is. Have a great day!

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