Hamburger Stew for Two

This hamburger stew for two is a simple, hearty comfort meal made with ground beef, potatoes, carrots, and a rich tomato broth. It’s an easy one-pot dinner that uses basic pantry ingredients and comes together quickly.

Looking for more simple comfort food meals? Browse our Budget Comfort Meals for Two & Slow Cooker Recipes for Two collections for more easy and affordable dinners.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 2

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Classic homemade comfort food
• Budget-friendly ingredients
• Easy one-pot meal
• Perfect portion size for two people
• Ready in about 30 minutes

Ingredients for Hamburger Stew

• ½ pound ground beef or ground turkey
• 2 medium potatoes, diced
• ¼ cup diced carrots
• ½ onion, diced
• 1 small can tomato sauce
• 1 small bay leaf
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 cup water or beef broth (enough to cover ingredients)

Ingredient Notes

Ground Beef or Turkey
Ground beef gives the stew a richer flavor, but ground turkey works well if you prefer a lighter option.

Potatoes
Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes both work well. Dice them into small pieces so they cook evenly and become tender in the broth.

Carrots
Fresh carrots add natural sweetness and color to the stew. Frozen diced carrots can also be used if that’s what you have on hand.

Onion
Yellow onion works best for soups and stews, but white onion can be substituted if needed.

Tomato Sauce
The tomato sauce gives the broth a light tomato flavor and helps create a simple, comforting stew base.

Bay Leaf
A bay leaf adds extra depth to the broth while cooking. Remember to remove it before serving.

Water or Beef Broth
Beef broth adds more flavor, but water works perfectly if you’re keeping the meal extra budget-friendly.

How to Make Hamburger Stew

1. Cook the beef: Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. Drain excess grease.
2. Add ingredients to pot: Transfer the cooked beef to a large saucepan or pot. Add diced potatoes, diced carrots, diced onion, tomato sauce, bay leaf, salt, and pepper.
3. Add liquid: Pour in the water or beef broth so the ingredients are just covered.
4. Cook the stew: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cook for about 20 minutes, or until the potatoes and carrots are tender.
5. Remove the bay leaf before serving.
6. Serve hot and enjoy.

Kitchen Tools You Will Need

Skillet – for browning the ground beef

⭐Meat chopper – helps break up the meat evenly while cooking
⭐Stock Pot– for simmering the stew
⭐Knife Set – for chopping vegetables

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Tips

Cut potatoes into small pieces so they cook faster.

If you want a thicker stew, mash a few potato pieces in the pot near the end of cooking.

Ground turkey can be used instead of beef for a lighter version.

Serving Suggestions

This simple stew pairs well with:

Buttery dinner rolls
Cornbread
Side salad with Italian dressing
Steamed green beans

Storage

Store leftover stew in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheat on the stovetop or microwave until hot.

This stew can also be frozen for up to 2 months.

Budget Cost Estimate

Ground beef – about $2.50
Potatoes – about $1.00
Carrots – about $0.30
Onion – about $0.50
Tomato sauce – about $0.75

Estimated total cost: about $5

Cost per serving: about $2.50

FAQ

Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?
Yes, ground turkey works well and makes the stew a little lighter.

Can I add other vegetables?
Yes. Peas, corn, or green beans are great additions.

Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes. The flavor actually improves after sitting in the refrigerator overnight.

Try These Recipes Next

If you enjoyed this hamburger stew for two, you might also like these other comforting dinners from Net’s Meals for Two.

One-Pot Goulash for Two (Quick Budget Meal)
French Onion Beef Noodle Skillet for Two
Chicken Broccoli Alfredo for Two
Slow Cooker Sausage and Potatoes for Two
15-Minute Garlic Butter Steak for Two

Plan Your Meals With Ease

My Meal Planner with Grocery List for Cooking for Two helps you organize weekly meals, create efficient shopping lists, reduce food waste, and save money on groceries. Perfect for couples, empty nesters, and small households who want simple, budget-friendly meal planning without stress.