Cheesy Ground Beef and Potatoes

Cheesy Ground Beef and Potatoes is one of those recipes I turn to when I need dinner on the table fast and everyone happy. Tender potatoes, savory beef, and melted cheddar come together in one pan for a meal that feels like a warm hug.

I learned to make this from my mom, who always had ground beef and potatoes on hand. She’d throw everything into her cast iron skillet and somehow make magic happen. Now I make this cheesy ground beef and potatoes recipe at least twice a month because it’s affordable, filling, and my kids actually eat their vegetables when they’re mixed in. The cheese gets all melty and golden, creating little crispy edges that everyone fights over. It’s pure comfort food without any fuss.

What Goes Into Ground Beef and Potatoes

Pro tip: I always use Yukon Gold potatoes when I have them because they hold their shape better and have a naturally buttery flavor. Russets work fine too.

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 medium potatoes, peeled and diced into ½-inch cubes
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• ½ cup beef broth
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped

I always dice my potatoes into evenly sized pieces, about half an inch, so they cook at the same rate. Nothing worse than some pieces being mushy while others are still hard.

Cooking Your Cheesy Beef and Potatoes

I prefer using a large skillet with a lid for this recipe because the covered cooking helps the potatoes get tender without drying out.

Step 1: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook for 6-8 minutes, breaking it apart with your spoon as it cooks. You want nice brown color on the meat, not gray. Drain off most of the fat if there’s more than a tablespoon or two.

Step 2: Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the beef. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion softens and turns translucent. Your kitchen will start smelling amazing right about now.

Step 3: Add the diced potatoes to the skillet and season with salt, pepper, paprika, and dried oregano. Stir everything together so the potatoes get coated with the seasonings and beef drippings.

Step 4: Pour in the beef broth and give everything a good stir. The broth will help steam the potatoes and create a bit of sauce. Cover the skillet with a lid, reduce heat to low, and cook for 20-25 minutes. Check at 20 minutes by poking a potato with a fork. It should slide in easily when they’re done.

Step 5: Once the potatoes are tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over everything. Cover the skillet again and let it sit for 2-3 minutes until the cheese melts completely.

Step 6: Remove from heat and sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley. Serve hot straight from the skillet.

Best Sides for Ground Beef and Potatoes

This cheesy ground beef and potatoes dish is hearty on its own, but these sides round out the meal perfectly.

Fresh garden salad: Crisp lettuce, cucumbers, and tomatoes with a tangy vinaigrette cut through the richness and add freshness to your plate.

Steamed broccoli: Bright green broccoli with a squeeze of lemon adds color, crunch, and balances out the cheese and beef.

Roasted carrots: Sweet roasted carrots with a drizzle of honey or balsamic glaze complement the savory potatoes beautifully.

Garlic bread: Because you can never have too much comfort food, and the crispy bread is perfect for sopping up any cheesy bits left on your plate.

Corn on the cob: Sweet corn adds a pop of color and summer flavor that pairs well with the paprika-seasoned beef and potatoes.

More Hearty Ground Beef Casseroles and Dinners

This Cheesy Ground Beef and Potatoes casserole combines two comfort food staples in one satisfying dish. When you’re craving similar ease but want pasta instead, the Creamy Beef and Shells offers that same one-dish convenience with creamy tomato goodness, while the Creamy Parmesan Beef Rigatoni brings elegant Parmesan flavors to weeknight pasta.

For a more sophisticated take on ground beef, the Cheesy French Onion Meatballs with caramelized onions and Gruyere cheese transforms simple ingredients into restaurant-quality comfort. Looking for something completely different? The Egg Roll in a Bowl delivers Asian-inspired flavors with crisp cabbage and savory seasonings for a lighter, veggie-forward option.

Keeping Leftovers Fresh

Store any leftover cheesy ground beef and potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The dish actually tastes even better the next day once the flavors have had time to meld.

To reheat, use a skillet over medium-low heat and stir occasionally until heated through. Add a splash of beef broth or water if it seems dry. Microwave works too, just cover loosely and stir halfway through, heating in 1-minute intervals.

Pro tip: This recipe is perfect for meal prep. Make a double batch on Sunday and portion it into containers for easy weekday lunches or dinners.

Your Ground Beef and Potatoes Questions

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