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Easy Cheesy Ground Beef and Potato Skillet: Best One-Pan Dinner

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A quick and hearty one-pan dinner featuring crispy potatoes, savory ground beef, and melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for busy weeknights, this comforting skillet meal comes together in under 30 minutes with simple ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) ground beef (80/20 blend)
  • 4 medium potatoes (about 1.5 pounds or 680g), Russet or Yukon Gold, diced into ½-inch cubes
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 ½ cups (170g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon (5g) salt, plus more to taste
  • ½ teaspoon (2g) black pepper, freshly ground
  • 1 teaspoon (2g) paprika (smoked paprika preferred)
  • ½ teaspoon (1.5g) garlic powder
  • ¼ cup (60ml) beef broth (low-sodium)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Wash and dice potatoes into ½-inch cubes. Place in a microwave-safe bowl with 2 tablespoons water, cover with a damp paper towel, and microwave for 4-5 minutes until just starting to soften. Drain any excess water and set aside.
  2. Heat a large cast iron skillet or heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, for 5-6 minutes until browned and no longer pink. Leave about 1 tablespoon of fat in the pan. Remove beef with a slotted spoon and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, add diced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, stirring constantly.
  4. Push onions and garlic to one side of the pan. Add olive oil and par-cooked potatoes in a single layer. Cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes until golden, then flip and cook for another 3-4 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.
  5. Return cooked ground beef to the skillet. Pour in beef broth and stir, scraping up browned bits from the bottom. Let simmer for 1-2 minutes.
  6. Sprinkle shredded cheddar evenly over the top. Cover the pan with a lid or foil and cook for 2-3 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly. Optionally, broil for 1-2 minutes for a browned top.
  7. Remove from heat, garnish with fresh parsley, and let rest for 2 minutes before serving. Serve straight from the skillet.

Notes

Par-cooking the potatoes is key for crispy exterior and tender interior. For a dairy-free version, use plant-based cheese. For a leaner option, substitute ground turkey or chicken and add extra oil. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: ground beef, potato skillet, one-pan dinner, cheesy, easy weeknight meal, comfort food

Find it online: https://cookluma.com/easy-cheesy-ground-beef-and-potato-skillet-best-one-pan-dinner/