Fideo with Ground Beef and Potatoes

Fideo with Ground Beef and Potatoes

This humble skillet dinner brings back cozy memories with every bite — toasted noodles simmered in tomato sauce, tender potatoes, and seasoned beef all in one comforting dish.

Fideo is a staple in many Mexican and Tex-Mex kitchens, and once you try it like this — hearty, flavorful, and filled with ground beef and potatoes — it might just become your go-to weeknight meal. My mom used to make this when the fridge was nearly empty, and somehow, it always felt like a feast. The noodles soak up all the rich flavors from the broth, beef, and sautéed tomato base, and the potatoes stretch it just enough to feed a crowd.

Ingredients

Fideo pasta (or thin vermicelli, broken)	7 oz (about 1 cup)
Ground beef	1 lb
Potato (peeled and diced small)	1 large
Tomato sauce	1 (8 oz) can
Garlic (minced)	2 cloves
Onion (chopped)	1 small
Chicken or beef broth	2 cups
Oil (for toasting noodles)	2 tbsp
Salt, pepper, cumin, chili powder	To taste
Optional: cilantro or lime for garnish	As desired

Instructions

In a skillet, heat 1 tbsp oil and brown the ground beef with onion, garlic, and spices until fully cooked. Remove and set aside.
In the same skillet, heat 1 tbsp oil and toast the fideo until golden brown, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
Add diced potato and stir for 2–3 minutes.
Pour in tomato sauce and broth. Stir to combine.
Return beef to the pan. Cover and simmer on low for 15–20 minutes or until potatoes are soft and fideo is tender.
Adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro or a squeeze of lime.

Nutrition (per serving)