15 Best Meat and Potatoes Recipes

Shepherd's Pie Recipe With Beef or Lamb

The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

For some folks, a real dinner has got to have animal protein and some serotonin-boosting starch. There are many pathways to this ideal supper, which means you could have a classic "meat and potatoes" supper every night for a month without repeating a single recipe.

Need some new ideas? We rounded up our favorite simple, hearty recipes using beef, pork, or lamb along with potatoes in all of their gloriously diverse forms. Some of these dishes come together at last minute for frenetic weeknights, while others take a little time, perfect for a weekend kitchen project. All of these meals will hit the spot on cold winter nights. Don't be afraid to substitute your favorite proteins or preparations to make each recipe your own.

Just a reminder: Always cook meat to the proper internal temperature for food safety reasons. Using a thermometer to test whether your protein is done not only ensures it's safe to eat, but helps keep from overcooking it as well.

  • 01 of 15

    Savory Slow Cooker Pot Roast

    Crock Pot Onion Soup Beef Pot Roast recipe, on a white plate

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

    This classic beef pot roast uses a packet of onion soup mix and condensed cream of mushroom soup for extra umami, with baby carrots and new potatoes to round it all out. When shopping for the roast, look for a good-quality chuck roast, bottom round, or rump roast.

  • 02 of 15

    Shepherd's Pie with Beef or Lamb

    Shepherd's Pie Recipe With Beef or Lamb

    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

    If you need to use up leftover beef or lamb, or you have some frozen ground meat on hand, turn to this easy and delicious shepherd's pie recipe. It will disguise last night's roast in a whole new way, so even avowed leftovers-haters will gobble it right up.

  • 03 of 15

    Andouille Sausage and Potato Casserole

    Potato Casserole With Andouille Sausage

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Rattray

    With spicy Andouille sausage, creamy cheddar cheese, and Cajun spices, this meat and potato casserole has a nice little zip. Swap out some of the cheddar with Pepper Jack for even more kick. Serve with a green salad or steamed veggies to make it a complete meal.

  • 04 of 15

    Pork Chop and Hash Brown Casserole

    Pork Chop and Hash Brown Casserole

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Rattray

    Starting with frozen hash brown potatoes gets this pork chop casserole on the table in a flash, perfect for those nights when time gets away from you. Substitute the cream of celery soup with cream of mushroom or cheddar to switch up the flavor.

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  • 05 of 15

    Classic Greek Moussaka

    Greek Eggplant Moussaka

    The Spruce Eats

    Moussaka combines savory eggplant, creamy potatoes, hearty ground lamb or beef and tomatoes with a silky bechamel sauce for a one-pot meal that tastes just like Greece. If you can't find kefalotyri cheese for the topping, try Parmesan or Pecorino Romano instead.

  • 06 of 15

    Crock Pot Beef Stew With Herb Dumplings

    Traditional British Beef Stew and Suet Dumplings

     The Spruce Eats

    Hearty beef and suet dumplings give this easy British stew a wonderful homey flavor that tastes like a warm hug. There's really no substitute for suet in the dumplings, but you can use any root vegetables you have on hand.

  • 07 of 15

    Easy Meat Pie

    Easy meat pie recipes

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

    Even though it looks pretty, even beginner cooks can put together this rustic meat pie. It makes the most of leftover roast beef, brisket, or even taco meat, but you can use refrigerated, fully-cooked beef tips, too. A prepared pie crust and frozen hash brown potatoes makes it even simpler.

  • 08 of 15

    Perfect Pot Roast with Potatoes

    Family Pot Roast With Potatoes and Carrots with gravy on top

    The Spruce Eats / Laura Donovan

    This stovetop post roast with gravy simmers away on the stove, filling your home with an aroma that will bring everyone salivating to the table. Veggies and potatoes cook up right in the same pot, so you won't have a pile of dishes to face after supper.

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  • 09 of 15

    Hearty Irish Stew

    Traditional Irish Stew in a casserole and a small bowl

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

    Traditionally made with mutton, our version of this hearty Irish stew uses lamb instead because it's easier to find stateside. It also features vegetables and potatoes, so all you need to make it a meal is a nice crusty loaf of bread.

  • 10 of 15

    Moroccan Meat and Potato Tagine

    lamb-beef-potatoes-tagine-2377-x-1800.jpg
    Lamb and Potato Tagine.

    The Spruce Eats / © Christine Benlafquih

    In Morocco, this hearty meat and potato stew gets its name from the ceramic or clay vessel it cooks in. But because many of us don't have one at home, this recipe can be made in a Dutch oven or pressure cooker instead. Use as many preserved lemon as you like, but be mindful that they can be salty, so adjust your seasoning accordingly.

  • 11 of 15

    Anglo-Indian Meat and Potato Cutlets

    Mince and Potato Cutlets

    The Spruce Eats / About.com/ © Evita Verma

    Many people hear "meat and potato" and think stew or casserole, but these British-Influenced Indian patties will change your perspective. An array of spices gives them a burst of flavor that explodes out of the crispy outsides and tender insides. Serve them with a side of rice or Naan to make a whole meal.

  • 12 of 15

    Leftover Pork and Potato Hash

    Leftover Pork and Potato Hash Recipe

     The Spruce Eats

    Leftover pork and diced potatoes become a creamy, hearty hash that works great as a stick-to-your-ribs breakfast, brunch, or lunch the next day. Add biscuits, a fried egg, or just some crusty bread to round it all out.

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  • 13 of 15

    Corned Beef and Potato Bake

    Corned Beef and Potato Bake
    Corned Beef and Potato Bake.

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Rattray

    Corned beef doesn't just go great with cabbage, it also tastes amazing in this one-dish corned beef and potato casserole. We like it with Swiss cheese, but a combination of Swiss and cheddar or Monterey Jack would also work. A buttery rye crumb top adds a nice crunch.

  • 14 of 15

    Peruvian Beef and Potato Stir Fry

    Serve with rice

    The Spruce Eats

    Yes, you can put French fries in a stir fry! Lomo saltado, a potato and beef tenderloin stir fry, marries the best of Peruvian and Chinese cuisine into one delicious dish. Serve it with white rice or on its own for a filling meal.

  • 15 of 15

    Southwestern-Style Beef and Potato Bake

    Southwestern Style Ground Beef and Potato Casserole
    Ground Beef and Potato Casserole.

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Rattray

    Wake up your taste buds with this beef and potato casserole livened with Southwestern spice, thanks to jalapeño peppers and chili powder. If you prefer a milder dish, use fewer peppers or omit them altogether.