Here’s a comforting, flavorful Picadillo perfect for dinner 🍽️🌶️ — a classic, one-pan meal that comes together fast.
Picadillo (Classic Style)
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tbsp oil (if beef is lean)
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14–15 oz) diced tomatoes (or 1 cup tomato sauce)
- 2 tbsp tomato paste (optional, for richness)
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
Traditional Add-Ins (Optional but Authentic)
- ½ cup diced potatoes
- ¼ cup green olives, sliced
- 1 tbsp capers or raisins (sweet-savory touch)
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Sauté onion and bell pepper until soft (4–5 minutes).
- Add garlic; cook 30 seconds.
- Add ground beef; cook until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Stir in tomatoes, tomato paste, and seasonings.
- Add potatoes (if using) and ½ cup water.
- Simmer uncovered 20–25 minutes, until potatoes are tender and sauce thickens.
- Stir in olives, capers, or raisins if using. Adjust seasoning.
How to Serve for Dinner
- 🍚 Over white rice (most classic)
- 🌮 In tacos, burritos, or tostadas
- 🥔 With fried plantains or mashed potatoes
- 🍳 Topped with a fried egg (Cuban-style)
Tips & Variations
- 🇨🇺 Cuban: add olives & raisins
- 🇲🇽 Mexican: skip olives, add potatoes & chili powder
- 🇵🇷 Puerto Rican: add sofrito and adobo
- 🌶️ Spicy: add jalapeño or chipotle
If you’d like, I can tailor this to what you have on hand, make it slow-cooker, or adjust it for meal prep.
