This week, the Sunday Supper Team is joining up in the first of a series of events with American Family Insurance to gather around the #FamilyDinnerTable with some of our favorite childhood recipes. I updated one of the dinners that my mom used to make all the time, and one of the first things I learned to cook – Beef Potato Skillet Supper.
Beef Potato Skillet Supper
Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by American Family Insurance. All opinions are my own.
Just like my mom always did, I make eating meals together around the kitchen table a priority in my family. I actually learned to cook, starting with very simple meals, so that on days when she was going to be late, then dinner would be ready so that we could all eat together at a reasonable time. This is so important to me that even though The Hubby doesn’t get home from work until 6:30, we still all eat dinner together. It is at this time that we catch up on our day, and how we teach our kids the patience to sit through a meal, table manners, and about eating a wide variety of foods, not a special “kids’ meal”. We started sitting The Bug at the table with us before he even ate solid food, and now Baby Smiles sits in his high chair and plays at the table as the three of us eat.
With as busy as families are these days, I know how hard this can be. I’ve told you before about my “back pocket meals” – meals I can make quickly, don’t really need a recipe, and usually have most of the ingredients on hand. This is a great strategy for being able to eat a home cooked meal together.
Beef & Potato Skillet Supper was one of my mom’s back pocket meals. Of course, like many moms from that time period, she had a whole array of meals she could make from a pound of ground beef and some canned soup. This was one of them – brown some ground beef, add a can of cream of mushroom soup, a can of cheddar cheese soup, and a can of sliced white potatoes, then enough water to get it to the right consistency. Obviously something that, even as a kid, I could manage on my own.
I updated it to replace the canned soups and veggies with fresh potatoes and mushrooms, and Greek yogurt and cheddar cheese. It may take a few minutes longer, but it still came together quickly, and is certainly a lot more nutritious, while still being as hearty and comforting as I remember.
The Hubby and The Bug both devoured it, and I savored each bite reminiscing about eating it as a kid with my mom. It definitely brought back flavors and memories of childhood. It may not be the prettiest meal I’ve ever made, but it was seriously delicious. I can see this becoming part of our regular rotation just like when I was a kid, and it is the perfect type of meal to satisfy two growing boys (and a hungry hubby).
American Family Insurance has started the #FamilyDinnerTable campaign to share their the belief that the next generation of dreamers starts at the family dinner table. American Family is creating an e-cookbook to inspire families to come back to the table, and we need your help! Share your recipes for your chance to be featured in the cookbook by submitting a family favorite recipe here. You will be entered to win one of six $100 Williams-Sonoma gift cards. One lucky entry will win one valued at $500! When the e-cookbook comes out later this fall, you’ll be among the first to receive a copy.
Then follow along as we join with American Family Insurance to share family recipes and stories through Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter, we’ll be sharing family favorite recipes and the stories behind them.
Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter each Sunday. We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm EST, and this week we are sharing our favorite childhood meals and memories, as well as tips to encourage families to rediscover the power of family meals. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. Check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more fabulous recipes and food photos.
And check out all of the other #SundaySupper childhood favorites at the bottom of this post.
What is your favorite meal from your childhood?
Beef & Potato Skillet Supper
A hearty, comforting dish that will satisfy the whole family, especially as the weather gets chilly.
Ingredients
- 1 T olive oil
- one medium onion or half of a large onion, chopped
- oz. mushrooms, sliced (I used baby bellas, but white mushrooms would be fine, also)
- 1 lb white potatoes, sliced about 1/4 in. thick (peeled, if desired)
- 1 1/4 - 1 1/2 lb ground beef
- 1/2 t garlic powder
- 1 t paprika
- 1 t dry mustard
- 1 1/2 c chicken broth
- 1 c plain Greek yogurt (I used nonfat Chobani)
- 2 c (about 8 oz.) shredded cheddar cheese (I used Cabot Light Sharp Cheddar)
- 2 T cornstarch
- 1/4 c water
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat, add the onions, and cook 2-3 minutes,or until starting to soften and turn translucent.
- Add potatoes and a pinch of salt and pepper, and saute for 4-5 minutes to start to cook and slightly brown the potatoes.
- Add the mushrooms and cook for another 4-5 minutes, or until mushrooms are softened.
- Remove the contents of the skillet to a bowl and set aside.
- Return the skillet to medium heat and add the ground beef, a pinch of salt and pepper, and garlic powder.
- Cook until the ground beef is fully coked through and browned, breaking up the meat as it cooks. Drain any excess grease from the pan.
- Add the potato mixture back to the skillet with the gorund beef, and add paprika, dry mustard, and chicken broth, cover and simmer 5-10 minutes, or until the potatoes have softened.
- Add Greek yogurt and cheddar cheese, and stir until combined and cheese has completely melted.
- Slurry the cornstarch in the water and add to the skillet.
- Bring to a simmer and cook until thickened and heated through.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
Enjoy!
Here are favorite childhood meals by Sunday Supper bloggers. Please take the time to visit each one and read the stories behind what makes them special:
- Asian Short Rib Tacos with Pineapple & Crunchy Slaw by Foxes Loves Lemons
- Barbecue Chicken Pizza by In The Kitchen With KP
- Beef & Potato Skillet Supper by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
- Braised Pork Chops and Sauerkraut by kimchi MOM
- Chicken a la King by Juanita’s Cocina
- Chicken and Dumplings by Country Girl In The Village
- Chicken Crescent Squares by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Family Fave Lasagne by NinjaBaking.com
- Gluten Free Peppered Steak by No One Likes Crumbley Cookies
- Greek Meatballs (Soutzoukakia) by Supper For A Steal
- Green Chile Chicken Tortilla Casserole by girlichef
- Hungarian Goulash by The Foodie Army Wife
- Linguine with fresh Tomatoes and Basil by The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
- Meatloaf by Magnolia Days
- Peixe Asado no Forno | Fish Baked in the Oven by Family Foodie
- Pierogies by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Sour Cream Coffee Cake by The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
- Straw and Hay Pasta by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Swiss Steak by Curious Cuisiniere
- Veggie Mac and Cheese by Hip Foodie Mom
And here are some of my other back pocket meals…
BBQ Shrimp, Broccoli & Cheesy Quinoa Bowls
Spinach, Tomato & Feta Frittata
Want to see lots more yummy food from me and my friends, and cute pictures of my kids?
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Love all the heart in this post, Brianne. We also always ate dinner as a family. Great update with the fresh mushrooms and potatoes on your mother’s recipe =)
Thank you! It is so important to eat as a family as often as possible.
I love your updated version of this skillet dinner, Brianne! The mushrooms sold me…and the potatoes and beef will thrill the hubby!
Thanks Liz! With all the creamy meat and potatoes, even my non-mushroom-lovers devoured them.
What a beautiful meal and wonderful childhood memories with your family. I love those comfort meals from our childhood.
Thanks Isabel! I am so thankful this event inspired me to recreate this meal for my boys.
This looks like an awesome comfort food for winter!
Thanks Heather! I can’t wait to make it more this winter.
What great memories you have with this dish. My husband is a real meat and potatoes guy and I’m sure he would enjoy this recipe. Adding it to my to-cook list for sure.
I really do Renee. Hope your husband enjoys it!
Dressing up hamburger this way sounds like a great, quick meal for anytime!
It is a great quick and budget friendly meal!
I love your updated version of your mom’s recipe. It’s great to have those recipes that come together quick on busy days.
Simple and flavorful. Works for me! I love that you replaced the canned soup with the Greek yogurt. That is such a great idea and a great way to cut sodium and empty calories. Plus, I just love the tang of Greek yogurt. Mmmmm
I swear you can sub Greek yogurt for anything! And it totally turned this into a more nutritious dish.
Just a big ol’ plate of comfort food! Love it!
Thanks Jen. It totally is.
“…eating a wide variety of foods, not a special “kids’ meal”.” Thank you, Brianne! Yes! I don’t have kids yet, but I feel strongly about this. It makes me sad thinking that kids grow up thinking chicken fingers and hot dogs are the foods they are supposed to eat, while the adults eat other things 🙁
I love the updates you made to this dish! Who cares what it looks like, I can tell it’s delicious!
Thanks Lori! And my son does have the occasional hot dog and he does get treats like cupcakes, but “normal” food for him is salmon and grilled chicken and broccoli and sweet potatoes and tons of fruit. It is so important!
Yep, totally! Hot dogs and chicken fingers are fine…once in awhile. Totally agree!
I love modernizing old family favorites. This dish of yours looks like home. A very comforting sort of dish. Beautiful!
I had never thought thought to update this one till now. So glad I did.
Love your updated tweaks for a healthier edition of this!
Thanks Dorothy! I love to healthify things a bit!
It seems to me that some of the foods that comfort us the most…or make us most nostalgic, are the “not so pretty” ones. And I love each and every one. This sounds like a great family meal :).
And it is unfortunate that, as food bloggers, we think twice about making ugly food, even if it is delicious.
Oh yes, back pocket meals are a definitive must 🙂 – Like you we also eat around the family dinner table every night it is where we catch up on our days and address table manners 😉
So necessary to have quick and easy meals!
A great update to your moms dish Brianne! We always waited until my dad got home from work to eat too. I think that’s where I got my late dinner eating habits at. You’d be shocked if I told what time I eat dinner now.
I totally wish we could eat earlier, but we do what we gotta do!
Love the back pocket meals! 🙂 and I love how you updated this with fresh potatoes, mushrooms and Greek yogurt!! yum! and hey, most comfort foods don’t look pretty but taste delicious!!! I love this!
This looks like an amazing winter time recipe!
I think it looks delicious, and even more so, sounds like it would be a hit w/my husband too! Fantastic recipe 🙂
I also grew up eating dinner around the family table. It’s so important. This looks like a great comfort meal to try as the weather turns cool.
This is definitely a comfort dish! I love your updated version!
I would dive into this plate headfirst!
What a great idea to have some ‘back pocket meals’. I love how you transformed this one from your childhood to use fresh ingredients.
what a terrific post Brianne! Family dinner is SO important
This was a go to meal in our house too. The only difference was we browned the meat in a cast iron skillet drained it and then dumped all the other ingredients in and popped it in the oven at 350 until the potatoes were done. Your new version sounds much better.
Funny, my mom always did it stove top, but now I want to take my version and make it a baked casserole!