The Ultimate Cheesy Ground Beef and Potatoes (One-Pot, 35-Min Meal!)

Imagine the ultimate comfort food meal, all cooked together in a single pot in just about 30 minutes—tender, fluffy potatoes, savory ground beef, and aromatic veggies, all simmered in a rich, flavorful broth and finished with a glorious amount of gooey, melted cheddar cheese. That, my friends, is the simple, weeknight magic of this Cheesy Ground Beef and Potatoes skillet. It is, without a doubt, the most satisfying and easiest one-pot meal you will make all week.

Here’s the thing about a truly great one-pot dinner: it needs to be fast, require minimal cleanup, and satisfy the whole family. This recipe is a triple-threat winner on all counts. I created this for those chaotic weeknights when I need to get a hearty, delicious meal on the table without a lot of fuss or a sink full of dishes. It’s my go-to for a “meat and potatoes” kind of craving, delivered with maximum flavor and minimal effort.

I promise you, there is no greater feeling than watching your family devour a wholesome, homemade meal that you whipped up in minutes. The flavors are a perfect, savory harmony—the rich beef, the tender potatoes that soak up the delicious broth, and the sharp, melty cheddar that brings it all together. It’s pure, unadulterated comfort in a bowl.

Get ready to master your new favorite one-pot wonder, a dish so simple and delicious, it will earn a permanent spot in your weeknight dinner rotation.

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Why This Will Be Your New Favorite Weeknight Meal!

You are going to be completely obsessed with how fast, easy, and delicious this one-pot meal is. It’s a true weeknight lifesaver. Here’s why:

• A True One-Pot Wonder: Everything cooks together in a single pot, from browning the potatoes and beef to simmering the final dish. This means incredible flavor development and ridiculously easy cleanup.
• Ready in About 35 Minutes: This is the ultimate fast and hearty meal, perfect for satisfying big appetites on a busy schedule.
• Hearty, Comforting, and So Satisfying: The classic, crowd-pleasing combination of cheesy ground beef and potatoes is pure comfort food that the whole family will love.
• Packed with Savory Flavor: The simple combination of tomato paste, beef broth, and classic herbs creates a rich, savory sauce that perfectly coats every bite.
• Simple, Pantry-Staple Ingredients: You only need a handful of common, inexpensive ingredients to create this incredibly delicious and satisfying meal.

Recipe Snapshot

Your Shopping List for This Cheesy Skillet

This recipe uses simple, budget-friendly ingredients to create a hearty and delicious meal. Here’s what you’ll need:

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→ For the Skillet

• 1 tbsp olive oil & 1 tbsp salted butter → The combination provides great flavor and a nice sear.
• 1 ½ lbs baby yellow potatoes → Halved or quartered. Their waxy texture holds up beautifully.
• 1 lb lean ground beef → The savory, protein-packed heart of the dish.
• 1 cup diced yellow onion & 4 cloves minced garlic → The essential aromatic flavor base.
• 2 tbsp tomato paste → Adds a rich, umami depth to the sauce.
• 2 cups beef broth → The flavorful liquid for simmering the potatoes.
• ½ tsp each of salt, paprika, dried oregano, and black pepper → A simple, perfect seasoning blend.
• 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese → For that glorious, gooey, cheesy finish!

Let’s Get Cooking! Your One-Pot Guide

This entire, delicious meal comes together in a single pot. Let’s get started on this easy dinner!

Part 1: Brown the Potatoes and Beef

1. Sear the Potatoes: Heat the olive oil and butter in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chopped baby potatoes and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they start to get some nice crispy, golden-brown edges. Transfer the potatoes to a plate and set them aside.
2. Brown the Beef: In the same pot, add the ground beef. Use a spatula to break it into small pieces and cook, crumbling, for 3-4 minutes until it’s browned.

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Part 2: Build the Flavor and Simmer

3. Sauté Aromatics: Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot with the ground beef. Stir everything together and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Add Seasonings: Stir in the tomato paste, salt, black pepper, paprika, and dried oregano until everything is well combined.
5. Simmer Everything Together: Pour in the beef broth and add the seared potatoes back to the pot. Give it all a good stir, then cover with a lid. Let it simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the broth has reduced and the potatoes are tender when poked with a fork.

Part 3: The Cheesy Finish

6. Melt in the Cheese: Remove the pot from the heat. Add the shredded cheddar cheese and stir it into the hot potato and beef mixture until it’s completely melted and everything is wonderfully cheesy and gooey.
7. Serve: Serve the cheesy ground beef and potatoes immediately, right from the pot!

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WiseRecipes’ Top Tips for One-Pot Perfection

These simple secrets will ensure your dish is packed with flavor and perfectly cooked.

1. Don’t Skip Searing the Potatoes. Taking the extra five minutes to get a nice golden-brown sear on the potatoes before you simmer them adds a huge amount of flavor and a wonderful texture to the final dish.
2. Break Up the Beef Well. For the best texture, use a ground beef masher or the edge of a sturdy spatula to break the beef into fine crumbles as it browns.
3. Let the Broth Reduce. The 10-minute simmer is a crucial step. It not only makes the potatoes perfectly tender, but it also allows the beef broth to reduce and concentrate into a rich, flavorful sauce that coats everything, rather than leaving you with a soupy dish.
4. Stir in the Cheese OFF the Heat. To prevent the cheese from becoming greasy or stringy, always remove the pot from the direct heat source before you stir in the shredded cheese. The residual heat of the dish is more than enough to melt it perfectly.
5. Use Freshly Shredded Cheese. For the smoothest, meltiest result, always grate your own cheese from a block. Pre-shredded cheeses are coated in starches to prevent clumping, which can make your final dish slightly gritty.

Keep It Fresh! Storing and Reheating

This dish makes for fantastic leftovers that are just as comforting the next day.

• Refrigerator: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Reheating: You can easily reheat individual portions in the microwave until hot and bubbly. You can also reheat it in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of milk or broth to loosen it up if needed.

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Simple Cheesy Ground Beef and Potatoes

This Simple Cheesy Ground Beef and Potatoes is the ultimate one-pot comfort food meal! Ready in about 35 minutes, it’s a hearty and delicious weeknight dinner the whole family will love.

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Servings: 6

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 368

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1 Tbsp. salted butter
• 1 1/2 lbs. baby yellow potatoes – chopped in half
• 1 lb. lean ground beef
• 1 cup diced yellow onion
• 4 garlic cloves – minced
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. paprika
• 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
• 2 Tbsp. tomato paste
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Equipment

• Large Pot or Dutch Oven
• Ground beef masher or spatula
• Knife
• Cutting Board

Method

 

1. Heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Add 1 Tbsp olive oil and 1 Tbsp salted butter. Add the chopped baby potatoes and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they have crispy edges. Transfer the potatoes to a plate.
2. Add the ground beef to the pot. Cook and crumble until browned, about 3-4 minutes.
3. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the ground beef. Stir and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Add the tomato paste, salt, black pepper, paprika, and dried oregano. Mix together.
5. Pour in the beef broth and return the potatoes to the pot. Stir well, then cover with a lid. Let simmer until the broth has cooked down and the potatoes are tender, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Remove the pot from the heat. Add the shredded cheese and stir until melted and gooey. Serve immediately.

Notes

One-Pot Wonder: All the cooking is done in a single pot, making cleanup a breeze.

Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.

FAQs: Your Cheesy Potato Questions, Answered!

What are the best potatoes to use?

Baby yellow or red potatoes are perfect for this recipe because their waxy texture helps them hold their shape after being boiled in the broth. You can also use larger Yukon Gold or red potatoes, just be sure to cut them into uniform 1-inch chunks.

Can I use a different kind of ground meat?

Yes, absolutely! This recipe would be equally delicious with lean ground turkey or ground chicken. Just be sure to brown it well as directed.

Can I add more vegetables?

Of course! This is a great dish for adding extra veggies. You could add some chopped carrots and celery along with the onions. A can of drained corn or some frozen peas stirred in during the last few minutes of simmering would also be fantastic additions.

What should I serve with this?

This is a hearty, all-in-one meal, so it doesn’t need much! A simple green salad with a vinaigrette or a side of steamed green beans would be the perfect fresh and simple accompaniment.

Final Thoughts: The Ultimate Comfort Skillet

There is nothing more satisfying than a hearty, cheesy, one-pot meal that comes together in minutes and pleases the whole family. This Cheesy Ground Beef and Potatoes skillet is the definition of weeknight comfort food perfection. I hope this simple and delicious recipe becomes a new go-to in your busy household. Happy cooking!