Stuffed Potato Balls with Ground Beef Recipe

If you’re craving a flavorful, comforting treat that also packs a savory punch, you’re going to love this Stuffed Potato Balls with Ground Beef Recipe. It’s exactly the kind of dish I turn to when I want something deliciously crispy on the outside, soft and flavorful on the inside. Trust me, once you try these, they’ll quickly become a fan-freaking-tastic favorite for your family and friends!

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Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this Stuffed Potato Balls with Ground Beef Recipe plays a key role—from the fluffy mashed potatoes that form the perfect base, to the robust beef filling that brings all the flavor. I always opt for fresh sofrito and good-quality ground beef for the best results.

• Mashed potatoes: Homemade works best here, but leftover mashed potatoes are a great shortcut.
• Eggs: These help bind the potato mixture so your balls hold together when frying.
• Butter or margarine: Adds richness and smoothness to your potato dough.
• Corn starch: Dusting your hands and the balls helps keep everything from sticking and crisps up the exterior.
• Olive oil: For browning the beef and building flavor in the filling.
• Ground beef: Choose lean but flavorful for the best texture inside your stuffed balls.
• Sofrito: This is the flavor bomb—pick or make a good one with herbs, garlic, and peppers.
• Tomato sauce: Adds a touch of acidity and moisture to the beef filling.
• Dried oregano: For an aromatic lift that complements the beef beautifully.
• Salt: To season both the filling and the potato dough perfectly.
• Vegetable oil: For deep frying—neutral oils with high smoke points are your friends here.

Variations

I love how flexible this Stuffed Potato Balls with Ground Beef Recipe is—you can easily adjust the filling or seasoning to fit your mood or dietary needs. Feel free to experiment; that’s part of the fun!

• Vegetarian Variation: Swap the ground beef for sautéed mushrooms and black beans with your sofrito for a hearty meatless option I tried and loved.
• Spicy Kick: Add chopped jalapeños or hot sauce to the beef mixture if you want to turn up the heat—my brother swears by this twist.
• Cheesy Center: For an ooey-gooey surprise, tuck a small cube of cheese inside each ball along with the meat filling; melting cheese is always a crowd-pleaser.
• Air Fryer Friendly: If you want to cut back on oil, these are fantastic air-fried—just adjust cook time and check for crispiness.

How to Make Stuffed Potato Balls with Ground Beef Recipe

Step 1: Get Your Potato Dough Ready

Start by mixing your hot mashed potatoes with the beaten eggs, butter, and 2 teaspoons of cornstarch. This is what forms the dough that you’ll mold later. I usually let this mixture cool a bit—trust me, it’s way easier to handle when it’s not super hot, and it helps the eggs cook just right without scrambling.

Step 2: Cook and Season the Beef Filling

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, then add your ground beef. Cook it until it’s no longer pink, breaking it apart so it crumbles nicely. Then add sofrito, tomato sauce, oregano, and salt—these ingredients are game-changers for flavor. Lower the heat and let it simmer for 10 to 15 minutes to develop a rich, hearty taste. Cool this mixture completely before stuffing.

Step 3: Shape and Stuff Your Potato Balls

Lightly dust your hands with cornstarch to prevent sticking. Take a spoonful of the potato dough, flatten it in your palm, and make an indentation in the center. Fill that space with the cooled beef filling, then cover with more potato dough and form it into a smooth ball. Dust the newly formed ball with some cornstarch for a perfect crust when frying. Repeat until all your dough and filling is used up—this part becomes so satisfying!

Step 4: Deep Fry to Golden Perfection

Heat vegetable oil in a deep pot to 370°F (or medium-high heat if you don’t have a thermometer). Carefully drop your stuffed potato balls in batches, frying them until they turn golden brown and crisp, about 6 to 8 minutes. Be sure not to overcrowd the pot so they crisp up evenly. Once done, transfer them to paper towels to drain excess oil.

How to Serve Stuffed Potato Balls with Ground Beef Recipe

Garnishes

I like to sprinkle a little chopped fresh parsley or cilantro on top for a pop of color and fresh aroma. A squeeze of lime or hot sauce on the side takes these to the next level. Sometimes I serve with a dollop of sour cream or a garlicky aioli dip—so good!

Side Dishes

These stuffed potato balls really shine with simple side salads—something light like a crisp cucumber and tomato salad balances the richness. They also pair great with rice and beans if you want a fuller meal. When we have parties, I serve them alongside mojito cocktails for the full Caribbean vibe.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I arrange the potato balls on a wooden board with dipping sauces in little bowls around them—makes it fun for sharing. You can also skewer them with cocktail sticks, turning these into cute finger foods that guests devour quickly. Adding edible flowers or microgreens really elevates the presentation too.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After frying, if you have leftovers (which might be rare!), store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Make sure they cool completely before storing to avoid sogginess. I’ve found that reheating them properly is key to enjoying them later.

Freezing

You can also freeze the shaped potato balls BEFORE frying—place them on a baking sheet dusted with cornstarch, freeze until firm, then transfer to a sealed freezer bag. When you’re ready, fry them straight from frozen, adding a couple extra minutes to the cooking time. This trick saves me on busy nights!

Reheating

To reheat without losing crispiness, I recommend popping the leftover potato balls in a hot oven at 375°F for about 10-15 minutes or until warm and crispy again. Avoid microwaving as it tends to make the crust soggy and dull.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Stuffed Potato Balls with Ground Beef Recipe brings a little Caribbean magic right into my kitchen. It’s one of those dishes that feels like a warm hug—comforting, satisfying, and totally crave-worthy. I hope you give it a try and find yourself reaching for it again and again, whether for a fun family dinner or a gathering where you want to impress guests without fuss. Trust me, once you make these, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them!

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