Last Updated on January 27, 2022 by Janell

This recipe beef picadillo over rice has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser, Mars, Incorporated. All opinions are mine alone. 

 

Most days we are pretty busy, but I always try to find an easy dish we can cook as a family. We are finally in a routine that helps us meal plan based on our evening's activities.

 

I love having my kids in the kitchen with me because it gives me the opportunity to teach my kids an important skill and it creates a love for everything they make with me. We also go shopping together so they can learn about creating a budget and meal planning.

 

 

Rice is one of my go-to side items for dinner. It's quick and easy, and my kids love it. 

Picadillo de carne molida is one of our favorite meals. We lived in Mexico for many years, and my neighbor taught me how to make this traditional dish. It's pretty simple, and you can have dinner on the table in about 35 minutes.

I loved that we had the opportunity to live in Latin America and try out so many amazing foods! We love interesting food and make at home recipes. So many Mexican recipes are made with fresh ingredients and not processed foods.

 

 

This carne molida recipe is a delicious blend of ground meat with some tomato sauce with carrots and potatoes and is perfect when you need an easy weeknight dinner.

This particular recipe is very flavorful and filling. My kids had 3 helpings, and we didn't have any leftovers. If you are worried it will be a title too spicy, you can put a little bit of chipotle peppers and increase it next time you make it for your desired flavor.

The seeds make it spicy so add more of the skin and the juice from the can for more chipotle flavor. (Tip - you can also add a little salt to make it less spicy)

The combination of tomatoes, onions, salt, and chipotle peppers are the bases of many traditional dishes. But they add different ingredients to make a special dish. They then enjoy it with Mexican rice and corn tortillas. If you are looking for simple recipes that your family will love - you will want to try this recipe.

This recipe is different than Cuban picadillo and Puerto Rican picadillo. This recipe is easier and doesn't use ingredients like raisins, green peppers and green olives.

 

 

Picadillo con papa recipe shortcut - I usually buy canned potatoes and carrots to make this meal even faster. I get the sliced potatoes and cut them into smaller pieces. And I usually only use half a can of carrots. But you can use as much or as little as you want!

Keep scrolling for the printable recipe card.

Mexican Picadillo Recipe (Carne Molida con Papas)

(Printable Recipe)

• 1 ½ lb ground beef
• ⅛ piece of a small onion
• 2 garlic cloves
• 3-4 large tomatoes (cut into large pieces)
• ½ cup of water
• 1 chipotle pepper
• 1 carrot*, diced (or 1 can of carrots cut into little pieces)
• 1 potato*, diced (or 1 can of potato cut into little pieces)
• ½ teaspoon salt (or more as desired)
• Black pepper as desired
• 2 - 3 cups cooked white rice (Arroz Blanco)
• Sour cream - Mexican Creama is better (optional)

 

 

Instructions:

In a large skillet with a lid, add a drizzle of olive oil and add the ground beef. Using a wooden spoon break up the large lumps of meat. Cook completely and drain the grease.

While the meat is cooking, combine the onion, garlic, tomatoes, chipotle pepper, water, and salt in a blender. It's gonna smell so good!

 

 

Pour the tomato sauce mixture into the frying pan and bring to a boil.

 

 

Lower heat and add the potatoes and carrots. Cover and simmer the large pan for about 10-15 minutes on low heat until the potatoes and carrots are tender. If you use canned potatoes and carrots - just simmer for about 5-10 minutes until heated completely.

 

 

To serve - place your rice at the bottom of a bowl. Add the Picadillo and top with sour cream. We don't like beans but you can also add some black beans when you serve it.

 

This is the best easy Mexican ground beef recipe - it cooks up fast, it's filling, and the whole family will love it! You can also easily double this recipe for a large family.

 

More of my Favorite Mexican Recipes: 

• Authentic Carne Asada Recipe – Mexican Street Tacos
• Chicken Pozole Recipe In The Slow Cooker
• Chicken Tinga Tostadas
• Chicken Taquitos