Sizzling One-Pan Cheesy Meat & Potato Skillet Recipe

Crafting a delectable one-pan cheesy meat & potato skillet promises pure comfort on those busy weeknights when hunger strikes.

Skilled home cooks understand how simple ingredients can create magic in a single pan.

Melted cheese blankets perfectly browned meat and tender potatoes, creating a meal that feels like a warm embrace.

Minimal cleanup means you can spend less time washing dishes and more time enjoying every savory bite.

Robust flavors meld together, turning ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary dinner that everyone will request again and again.

Weeknight dinner solutions just got a delicious upgrade with this hearty, satisfying recipe that comes together in under 30 minutes.

Why One-Pan Cheesy Meat and Potato Skillet Works Wonders

• Minimize Kitchen Cleanup: Cook everything in a single skillet, reducing dishes and saving precious time after meal preparation.
• Quick Comfort Food Solution: Perfect for busy families seeking a hearty, satisfying meal that comes together faster than traditional casseroles.
• Customize with Ease: Swap ground meat types, experiment with different cheese blends, or add vegetables to match family preferences and dietary needs.
• Budget-Friendly Dinner Option: Uses affordable ingredients like ground meat, potatoes, and pantry staples, making it an economical choice for feeding multiple people.

Ingredients for Cheesy Meat and Potato Skillet

• Ground Beef: A classic protein that provides rich flavor and hearty texture to the skillet dish.

• Potatoes: Diced potatoes add substantial bulk and create a comforting, filling foundation for the meal.

• Cream Soup, Milk: These ingredients create a creamy sauce that helps bind the ingredients together and adds smoothness to the dish.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall flavor profile of the skillet.

• Shredded Cheese: Melts beautifully over the top, adding a delicious cheesy layer and rich, tangy finish to the meal.

How to Make One-Pan Cheesy Meat and Potato Skillet

Step 1: Sizzle Ground Meat

Heat a large skillet over medium flame. Crumble the ground meat into the pan, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks.

Stir frequently until the meat turns completely brown and develops a delicious golden color. Carefully drain any excess fat to keep the dish light and tasty.

Step 2: Transform Potatoes

Toss the diced potatoes into the same skillet with the cooked meat. Gently stir and spread the potatoes to ensure even cooking.

Allow the potatoes to sizzle and soften, moving them around occasionally to prevent sticking. Cook until they become tender and start to develop a slight golden crust, which takes about 10-15 minutes.

Step 3: Create Creamy Sauce

Pour in the cream soup and milk, stirring thoroughly to combine all ingredients. The liquid will help bind the meat and potatoes together, creating a rich and comforting base for the dish.

Mix until the sauce looks smooth and evenly distributed throughout the skillet.

Step 4: Season and Cheese Up

• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Dried herbs

Stir the seasonings into the mixture.

Then generously scatter shredded cheese across the top of the skillet, covering the entire surface with a blanket of melty goodness.

Step 5: Melt and Serve

Cover the skillet and let the cheese melt completely, creating a gooey, irresistible topping.

Once the cheese is fully melted and bubbly, remove from heat. Scoop generous portions onto plates and serve immediately while warm and delicious.

Tips to Perfect Meat and Potato Skillet

• Remove excess grease completely to prevent a greasy, heavy dish and ensure crispy meat texture.
• Use waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold or red potatoes for better holding shape and creamier consistency.
• Add cheese off direct heat to prevent burning and achieve smooth, perfectly melted coverage.
• Incorporate fresh herbs like thyme or parsley for added freshness and aromatic complexity.
• Substitute ground turkey or lean ground beef for a healthier protein option with reduced fat content.

Flavorful Variations of Meat and Potato Skillet

• Spicy Southwest Skillet: Replace ground meat with spicy chorizo, add diced bell peppers, swap cream soup for salsa, and top with pepper jack cheese for a zesty Mexican-inspired version.
• Mediterranean Veggie Skillet: Use ground lamb, incorporate diced zucchini and eggplant, season with oregano and garlic, and sprinkle feta cheese instead of regular shredded cheese.
• Breakfast Scramble Edition: Brown breakfast sausage, add diced hash browns, mix with scrambled eggs, use cheddar cheese, and garnish with chopped green onions for a morning meal transformation.
• Lean Protein Power Bowl: Substitute ground meat with ground turkey or chicken, use sweet potatoes instead of regular potatoes, add spinach for extra nutrition, and choose a lighter cream soup option.

What to Serve with Meat and Potato Skillet

• Crisp Wine Pairing: Select a light, zesty white wine like Sauvignon Blanc to cut through the richness of the cheesy meat and potato skillet, refreshing your palate with each bite.
• Craft Beer Companion: Choose a hoppy amber ale or medium-bodied IPA that complements the savory meat and provides a robust flavor contrast to the creamy cheese.
• Fresh Salad Side: Prepare a tangy green salad with vinaigrette dressing to balance the heavy skillet, adding brightness and lightness to the meal with crisp vegetables and acidic notes.
• Pickled Veggie Accent: Add quick-pickled cucumber or onion slices on the side to introduce a sharp, acidic element that cuts through the dish's richness and provides a palate-cleansing crunch.

Storing One-Pan Cheesy Meat and Potato Skillet

Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cool completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.

Portion into freezer-safe containers, leaving slight space for expansion. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Label with date and contents.

Place portion in microwave-safe dish. Add splash of milk to restore moisture. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly. Stir until steaming hot throughout.

Warm in skillet over medium-low heat. Add small amount of milk or broth to prevent sticking. Stir frequently until heated completely, about 5-7 minutes. Top with fresh cheese if desired.

FAQs

• Can I use different types of ground meat?

Yes, you can easily swap ground beef for ground turkey, chicken, or even plant-based meat alternatives to suit your preferences or dietary needs.

• What if I don't have cream soup?

No problem! You can substitute cream soup with a mixture of milk, sour cream, or cream cheese to create a similar creamy base for the dish.

• How do I prevent the potatoes from sticking to the pan?

Use a non-stick skillet or cast iron pan, and stir the potatoes occasionally while cooking to ensure even browning and prevent sticking.

• Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?

Absolutely! This one-pan skillet can be prepared ahead of time and reheated, making it a convenient option for busy weeknights or make-ahead meals.

One-Pan Cheesy Meat & Potato Skillet Recipe

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4.8 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Hearty one-pan cheesy meat & potato skillet delivers comfort straight from Grandma’s kitchen, blending rustic flavors with simple ingredients. Savory ground beef, tender potatoes, and melted cheese create a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 1 pound ground meat (beef, turkey, or sausage)

Potatoes and Vegetables:

• 12 small potatoes, diced

Dairy and Sauce:

• 3/4 cup milk (or substitute with water and sour cream)
• 1 can cream soup (chicken, mushroom, or celery)
• 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or other)

Seasonings:

• Salt
• Pepper
• Other seasonings

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Instructions

1. Sear ground meat in a large skillet over medium-high heat until thoroughly browned and no pink remains, approximately 6-7 minutes.
2. Remove excess fat from the pan, leaving a thin layer for cooking potatoes.
3. Incorporate diced potatoes into the skillet, creating an even layer and allowing them to develop a golden-brown exterior while becoming tender, stirring intermittently for 12-15 minutes.
4. Pour cream soup and liquid into the skillet, gently stirring to integrate all ingredients and create a cohesive sauce that coats the meat and potatoes evenly.
5. Enhance flavor profile by sprinkling selected herbs and ground spices across the surface, ensuring balanced seasoning throughout the dish.
6. Distribute shredded cheese generously over the top, then reduce heat to low and cover the skillet, allowing cheese to melt completely for 3-4 minutes.
7. Remove from heat and let the dish rest for 2 minutes to allow sauce to slightly thicken and flavors to meld together.
8. Serve immediately while cheese remains hot and stretchy, directly from the skillet for a rustic, comforting meal.

Notes

• Drain ground meat thoroughly to prevent a greasy dish and ensure crispy, well-browned texture.
• Cut potatoes uniformly for even cooking, preventing some pieces from being undercooked or overcooked.
• Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner, vegetarian-friendly version.
• Use low-fat cheese or dairy-free alternatives to make the skillet more diet-friendly and reduce overall calories.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 535 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 620 mg
• Fat: 32 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 34 g
• Cholesterol: 95 mg