When you’re craving a classic meat and potatoes dinner that hits all the comfort food marks, this ground beef and potatoes dinner delivers with tender potatoes, seasoned beef, and a creamy cheese sauce.

Ground beef and potatoes skillet topped with melted cheese and fresh parsley.

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Cheesy Ground Beef and Potato Skillet

When you’re craving a hearty hamburger-and-potatoes dinner, this ground beef and potatoes recipe is a go-to. It delivers all the comfort of steak and potatoes in an affordable skillet meal with fried potatoes and seasoned ground beef that come together with minimal prep and cleanup.

Finished with a simple cheese sauce, this is the kind of dinner even my picky eaters happily dig into. If your family loves easy, comforting meals like my hamburger casserole and ground beef casserole, this quick meal is sure to become a weeknight favorite.

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This meal came out so good and was so easy to make in our cast iron skillet. Easy clean up and everyone, including the kids, loved the meal.

Amanda

Ingredients Notes

Ingredients for ground beef and potatoes including ground beef, potatoes, cheddar cheese, milk, and seasonings.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

  • Ground beef: I use 90% lean ground beef, but 85% or 93% works too. Drain excess grease from fattier beef or add olive oil if using leaner beef.
  • Onion: Adds flavor while browning. Swap for 1/2 teaspoon onion powder if preferred.
  • Seasonings: Worcestershire sauce, paprika, and dry ranch seasoning create bold, savory flavor.
  • Baby potatoes: Waxy red and yellow potatoes cook quickly and hold their shape. You can also use diced Idaho or Yukon gold potatoes.
  • Butter & garlic cloves: Browns the potatoes for rich flavor.
  • Cheddar cheese and milk: A creamy cheese sauce keeps the dish moist and melty.

How to Make Ground Beef and Potatoes

In a large cast iron skillet, cook the ground beef and onions over medium-high heat until no longer pink. 

Add Worcestershire sauce, ranch seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir well, then transfer the ground beef to a bowl, leaving 1 tablespoon of grease in the skillet.

Ground beef cooked with onions and seasonings in a skillet.
Sliced potatoes pan-fried until golden and tender in a skillet.

Melt butter in the skillet, add sliced potatoes, and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 5-7 minutes, adding garlic during the last 2 minutes.

Push the potatoes to the side and return the beef to the pan. Mix gently, spreading some potatoes over the top.

Seasoning ground beef and sliced potatoes together in a cast iron skillet.
Cheddar cheese melting over ground beef and potatoes in a skillet.

In a small saucepan, heat milk and cheese over low heat until melted. Pour over the beef and potatoes. Sprinkle more cheese on top.

Cover skillet with foil and bake at 400°F for 15 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 10 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.

Close up of tender ground beef and crispy cheese covered potatoes in a skillet.

Recipe Tips

  • Protein swap: Use ground turkey or chicken. Add chicken broth when browning to prevent dryness.
  • Vegetable boost: Add diced red peppers or green peppers for color and flavor. Diced carrots are a great option, too!
  • Spice it up: Add Dijon mustard, hot sauce, or smoked paprika for extra kick. Toppings: Serve with sour cream, green onions, or fresh parsley for a pop of freshness.
Cheesy ground beef and potatoes served on a plate with toasted bread.

More ground beef dinner ideas include one pot burrito bowl recipe and ground beef and broccoli!

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Ground beef and potatoes skillet topped with melted cheese and fresh parsley.

Ground Beef and Potatoes Skillet

5 from 4 votes
Recipe by: Jamielyn Nye
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 8
This ground beef and potatoes delivers a hearty meat and potatoes skillet dinner with tender potatoes, seasoned beef, and a creamy cheese sauce.
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Ingredients 

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • ½ cup white onion , chopped
  • 3 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 teaspoons ranch seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • 15 – 20 red and gold mini potatoes , thinly sliced
  • 1 Tablesoon butter
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1-2 cups cheddar cheese , shredded

For serving: green onions, sour cream, lettuce, tomatoes

Instructions

  • Preheat: Preheat oven to 400°F.
  • Cook ground beef and onion: In a large cast iron skillet, cook 1 pound ground beef and 1/2 cup chopped onion over medium high heat until it's no longer pink. Drain grease.
  • Add spices: Add 3 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, 2 teaspoons ranch seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Stir well. Remove meat from pan and place in a bowl. You want there to be a little grease in pan, but not more than Tablespoon.
  • Cook potatoes: Melt the 1 Tablespoon butter in the skillet. Place sliced potatoes in the melted butter. Sprinkle the top with salt and pepper, and cook for 5-7 minutes on medium, stirring occasionally. Add in garlic 2 minutes before cooking time is done.
  • Top with beef: Push potatoes to side and spread beef back into the pan. Try to top some potatoes across the top. Think of the potatoes like the bun with some on top and bottom.
  • Warm milk: Combine 1 cup milk and 1/2 cup cheese. Heat over low heat, just until the cheese has melted. Then pour over the beef and potatoes. Sprinkle another cup of cheese over the top of the potatoes and beef.
  • Bake: Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes. Remove foil and cook an additional 10 minutes, or until the milk has evaporated and cheese is bubbly. Serve while warm.

For serving: parsley, sour cream, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes

    Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.

    Notes

    Veggies: This is a great dish to sneak in some extra veggies. Feel free to add in some bell peppers or sliced carrots with the onions. 
    Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 449kcal, Carbohydrates: 69g, Protein: 24g, Fat: 9g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 0.2g, Cholesterol: 53mg, Sodium: 701mg, Potassium: 2143mg, Fiber: 7g, Sugar: 8g, Vitamin A: 290IU, Vitamin C: 36mg, Calcium: 194mg, Iron: 5mg

    Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.