Cheesy Meat & Potato Skillet (One-Pan Dinner with Ground Beef and Crispy Potatoes)
Molly
A quick and cozy one-pan dinner made with seasoned ground beef, golden crispy potatoes, and loads of melty cheese. This Cheesy Meat & Potato Skillet is easy to make, easy to clean up, and easy to love—perfect for weeknights, family meals, or meal prepping for the week.
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 25 minutes mins
Total Time 35 minutes mins
Course Dinner, Main Dish
Cuisine American Comfort Food
Servings 6 servings
Calories 420 kcal
- 1 lb ground beef – Use lean ground beef for less grease. USDA offers a full nutritional breakdown.
- 4 medium russet potatoes – Diced small so they cook quickly and crisp up.
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese – I go sharp for extra punch.
- 1 medium yellow onion – Finely diced.
- 2 cloves garlic – Minced.
- 1 bell pepper optional – Adds color and a hint of sweetness.
- 1 tsp smoked paprika – For that smoky depth.
- ½ tsp garlic powder + onion powder – Layered flavor.
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 –2 tbsp olive oil – For crisping the potatoes.
- Fresh parsley optional – For garnish.
Start the potatoes: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced potatoes and cook for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally until they begin to brown and soften.
Sauté aromatics: Push the potatoes to one side, add a little more oil if needed, and toss in the diced onion, garlic, and optional bell pepper. Sauté for 2–3 minutes.
Brown the beef: Add ground beef to the pan. Break it up and cook until browned and fully cooked (no pink remaining).
Season: Stir in the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix everything together with the potatoes.
Cheese time: Sprinkle shredded cheddar evenly over the skillet. Turn heat to low, cover, and let the cheese melt for 2–3 minutes.
Optional broil: If you want that crispy cheese crust, pop the whole skillet under the broiler for 2 minutes (if your pan is oven-safe!).
Garnish and serve: Top with chopped parsley and serve hot.
Secret Tips for the Best Cheesy Meat & Potato Skillet
1. Brown your ground beef deeply: Don't rush this step—let your ground beef get a rich, caramelized crust before stirring. This adds a deep, savory flavor that builds the foundation of this cheesy meat and potato skillet and enhances the one-pan dinner.
2. Par-cook the potatoes for perfect texture: If you want crispy potatoes with tender centers, microwave or boil them for a few minutes before crisping them up in the skillet. This saves time and guarantees a golden exterior without burning.
3. Use sharp cheddar for flavor punch: Sharp cheddar cheese melts beautifully and adds bold flavor to your ground beef and potato skillet. You can also mix in mozzarella for stretch or pepper jack for a kick.
4. Don't skimp on seasoning: Season every layer—potatoes, beef, and cheese—with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and salt. This makes sure every bite of this cheesy skillet meal is well-balanced and crave-worthy.
5. Add a splash of broth if it looks dry: If your skillet starts looking dry before the cheese goes in, a little beef broth or even water will help deglaze the pan and keep everything juicy.
6. Make it a full meal with veggies: Toss in some frozen peas, bell peppers, or chopped spinach during the last few minutes to boost the nutrition of this ground beef skillet dinner without extra dishes.
7. Rest before serving: Let the skillet sit off the heat for 5 minutes before serving. It allows the cheese to set and makes it easier to portion—plus, the flavors meld even better.Keyword cheesy meat and potato skillet, crispy potato and beef skillet, easy one pot cheesy dinner, easy skillet meals with potatoes, ground beef and potato skillet recipe, healthy comfort food dinner, high protein skillet dinner, kid friendly cheesy skillet, one pan ground beef dinner, quick ground beef meals
