This One-Pan Cheesy Meat & Potato Skillet is a hearty, comforting dish that’s packed with flavor and comes together in just one skillet. With golden potatoes, savory ground beef, melted cheddar, and a hint of herbs and spice, this meal hits all the right notes for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love how this recipe combines rich, savory ingredients in just one pan—making cleanup as easy as cooking. The crispy potatoes and melty cheese are perfect with seasoned ground beef, and I can easily customize it based on what I have in the fridge. It’s a great go-to when I need something quick, filling, and family-friendly.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey)
4 cups diced potatoes (Yukon Gold or Russet)
1 small onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (plus extra for topping)
1/2 cup beef broth or water
1 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp dried thyme or Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 tbsp olive oil or butter
Optional garnish: chopped green onions or parsley
Directions
Cook the Potatoes
I start by heating 1 tablespoon of oil or butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Then I add the diced potatoes, season with salt and pepper, and cook them until they begin to soften and turn golden—usually around 10 to 12 minutes.
Cook the Meat & Veggies
I push the potatoes to one side of the skillet and add the remaining oil. Next, I cook the ground beef with the diced onion and garlic, breaking the meat apart as it browns. Once it’s cooked through, I season everything with smoked paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper.
Combine & Simmer
I mix the potatoes and meat together, then pour in the broth or water. After covering the skillet, I let everything simmer for about 5 minutes so the potatoes can finish cooking and soak in the flavor.
Add Cheese & Finish
I sprinkle shredded cheddar over the top, cover the skillet again, and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes until the cheese melts. When I want an extra cheesy crust, I broil the skillet for a couple of minutes—just long enough to brown the top lightly.
Serve
To finish, I garnish the dish with chopped green onions or parsley and serve it hot.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes about 4 servings.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Total time: 35 minutes
Variations
When I want to change it up, I like to:
Add diced bell peppers or mushrooms with the onions for extra flavor and veggies.
Swap out the cheddar with pepper jack for a little heat, or mozzarella for a milder melt.
Use sweet potatoes instead of regular potatoes for a subtle sweetness that pairs nicely with the savory meat.
Storage/Reheating
I store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
To reheat, I warm it in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of broth or water to keep it moist. It also reheats well in the microwave for about 1–2 minutes, covered.
Related Recipes:
- One-Pan Creamy Parmesan Chicken and Rice
- Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Potatoes (One-Pan Dinner)
- French Onion Chicken & Rice
FAQs
How can I make this dish vegetarian?
I swap the ground meat for plant-based ground or crumbled tofu and use vegetable broth. It still turns out super flavorful.
Can I use frozen diced potatoes?
Yes, I can use frozen potatoes. I just make sure to thaw and pat them dry before cooking to avoid excess moisture.
What skillet size works best?
I use a large (12-inch) non-stick or cast iron skillet. It gives me enough room to cook everything evenly.
Is it freezer-friendly?
Yes, I let it cool completely, portion it into containers, and freeze for up to 2 months. I reheat straight from frozen or thaw overnight in the fridge.
Can I add eggs to make it breakfast-style?
Absolutely. I sometimes crack a few eggs on top during the final few minutes and cover the skillet until the eggs are cooked to my liking.
Conclusion
This One-Pan Cheesy Meat & Potato Skillet is one of my favorite go-to meals when I need something simple, filling, and comforting. It’s endlessly adaptable, great for leftovers, and made with pantry staples I usually have on hand. Whether for dinner or a hearty brunch, it always hits the spot.
📖 Recipe:
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One-Pan Cheesy Meat & Potato Skillet
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
A hearty and comforting one-pan meal featuring golden potatoes, seasoned ground beef, melty cheddar cheese, and herbs. Perfect for a quick and satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey)
4 cups diced potatoes (Yukon Gold or Russet)
1 small onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (plus extra for topping)
1/2 cup beef broth or water
1 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp dried thyme or Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 tbsp olive oil or butter
Optional garnish: chopped green onions or parsley
Instructions
- Heat 1 tablespoon of oil or butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced potatoes, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 10–12 minutes until they begin to soften and turn golden.
- Push the potatoes to one side and add the remaining oil. Add ground beef, diced onion, and garlic. Cook until the beef is browned, breaking it apart as it cooks.
- Season the mixture with smoked paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper. Mix the potatoes and meat together.
- Pour in the broth or water, cover the skillet, and let it simmer for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld and potatoes to finish cooking.
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top, cover, and cook for another 2–3 minutes until the cheese melts. Optionally, broil for a couple of minutes to lightly brown the cheese.
- Garnish with chopped green onions or parsley and serve hot.
Notes
Customize with bell peppers, mushrooms, or sweet potatoes for variation.
Swap cheese types based on preference—pepper jack for heat, mozzarella for a milder flavor.
Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat with a splash of broth or water.
Can be made vegetarian by using plant-based ground and vegetable broth.
Freezer-friendly for up to 2 months; reheat from frozen or after thawing overnight.
For a breakfast twist, crack eggs on top during the last few minutes of cooking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
