Main menu

Mom's Picadillo Con Papa: A Hearty Mexican Classic

Mom’s Picadillo con Papa

Mom's Picadillo Con Papa is a comforting and flavorful Mexican dish that features a savory blend of ground beef, potatoes, and a rich tomato sauce. This classic recipe is packed with authentic flavors and is incredibly easy to prepare. Whether you serve it as a main course or use it as a versatile filling for tacos, empanadas, or rellenos, this picadillo is sure to satisfy your cravings.

This traditional Mexican dish, often referred to as "Mom's Picadillo Con Papa," is a hearty and flavorful combination of ground beef and potatoes simmered in a rich tomato sauce. The recipe starts by crisping up diced potatoes for a delightful texture contrast. While the potatoes cook, the ground beef is browned with a blend of aromatic spices like cumin, oregano, and garlic powder. Once the beef is cooked, it's combined with sautéed onions and a vibrant tomato sauce made from fresh tomatoes, serrano peppers, and a touch of water. The crispy potatoes are then gently folded into the flavorful mixture, creating a satisfying and comforting meal.

Course: Main Course Cuisine: Mexican Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 30 minutes Total Time: 50 minutes Servings: 6

Ingredients

  • 1 medium Russet potato, diced (skin-on for added texture)
  • 3 tablespoons olive or avocado oil
  • 1 pound ground chuck or sirloin (80% lean)
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 3/4 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 cup white onion, diced
  • 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 large Roma tomatoes, roughly chopped
  • 1-2 serrano chiles, roughly chopped
  • 1/4 cup water

Instructions

  1. Prepare the potatoes: Heat oil in a nonstick pan over medium heat. Add diced potatoes and cook until crispy and golden brown. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
  2. Brown the beef: In a separate skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, cumin, and oregano.
  3. Sauté the aromatics: Add diced onion and minced garlic to the beef and cook until softened.
  4. Create the tomato sauce: Blend tomatoes and serrano peppers with water until smooth. Pour over the beef and potato mixture.
  5. Combine and simmer: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until the sauce thickens and the flavors meld together, about 7-10 minutes.

Tips

  • For a richer flavor, substitute salt with Knorr chicken bouillon powder.
  • Add 1 cup of broth to the tomato mixture for a soupier picadillo.
  • Allow the picadillo to cool completely before using it as a filling for tacos, empanadas, or rellenos.

Serving Suggestions

Mom's Picadillo Con Papa is incredibly versatile. Enjoy it as a main course served with rice and beans, or use it as a filling for tacos, burritos, or enchiladas. It also makes a delicious topping for nachos or loaded baked potatoes.

Additional Notes

This recipe can be easily customized to your taste preferences. Feel free to adjust the amount of spices or add your favorite ingredients, such as green bell peppers, corn, or black olives.

By following these simple steps and incorporating the provided tips, you can create a delicious and authentic Mom's Picadillo Con Papa that will impress your family and friends. Enjoy!

Comments