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An overhead, slightly angled shot of a black non-stick skillet filled with a savory mixture of cooked ground meat, diced potatoes, and chopped tomatoes.

Poor Man’s Meal

Chef Jenn
Poor Man’s Meal is a classic Depression-era recipe that combines fried potatoes, onions, and sliced hot dogs into a hearty and satisfying skillet dinner. Simple, inexpensive, and packed with nostalgic flavor, it’s a go-to comfort dish perfect for tight budgets and busy weeknights.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 542 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

  • 4 medium potatoes peeled and diced
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 14.5 ounces tomatoes diced, undrained
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • pinch paprika or garlic powder, optional

Instructions
 

  • Warm the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat until it starts to shimmer.
  • Add the diced potatoes and let them cook for 8–10 minutes, stirring once in a while until they soften up and get lightly browned.
  • Toss in the diced onion and cook for another 3–4 minutes, until it turns soft and translucent.
  • Slide the potatoes and onions to one side of the skillet to make space.
  • Add the ground beef to the empty side. Break it apart with a spoon or meat chopper and cook until browned. If there's too much grease, spoon it out or tilt the skillet to drain.
  • Stir the cooked beef into the potato and onion mix until everything's evenly combined.
  • Pour in the diced tomatoes, juice and all, and give it a good stir.
  • Season with salt, pepper, and a bit of paprika or garlic powder if you like.
  • Cover the pan and let it simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring once or twice, until the potatoes are tender and the flavors have blended.
  • Serve hot straight from the pan, or dish it up into bowls.

Notes

Chef Tips

  • Chop your potatoes ahead and keep them in cold water in the fridge to save prep time.
  • A splash of Worcestershire or a sprinkle of cheese adds extra flavor if you want to level it up.
  • Season generously—this is a simple dish, so salt and pepper make a big difference.
  • In a rush? You can swap in thawed frozen diced potatoes—just cook them a bit less.

Nutrition

Serving: 1.5cupsCalories: 542kcalCarbohydrates: 44gProtein: 25gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 81mgSodium: 95mgPotassium: 1487mgFiber: 6gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 861IUVitamin C: 58mgCalcium: 63mgIron: 4mg

A Note on Nutritional Information

Nutritional information for this recipe is provided as a courtesy and is calculated based on available online ingredient information. It is only an approximate value. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site cannot be guaranteed.

Keyword budget-friendly recipe, one-pan meal, poor man’s meal, vintage recipe
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