Simple yet packed with flavor, ground beef and potatoes skillet is an easy, cheesy family favorite comfort food. It’s a budget-friendly dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights!
Ground Beef and Potato Skillet
When you’re craving a hearty meat-and-potatoes dinner, this ground beef and potatoes recipe is a go-to. It’s a flavorful and economical alternative to steak and potatoes, making it a family favorite.
If you love easy ground beef recipes, be sure to try my hamburger casserole and ground beef casserole or for a global twist my Korean ground beef bowl!
Why I Love This Recipe
- Ready in under an hour with minimal prep and clean up.
- Fried potatoes and hamburger make an affordable yet satisfying meal.
- Even picky eaters will devour this cheesy recipe with ground beef.
Ingredients Notes
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.
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.
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.
Recipe Tips and Variations
- 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.
Storage
- Store: Store leftover ground beef and potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. While you can freeze leftovers, I prefer to not do so as the texture of the potatoes will change when thawed.
- Reheating: Add beef and potatoes to a skillet and reward over medium heat or reheat in the microwave until warmed through.
More ground beef dinner ideas include one pot burrito bowl recipe and ground beef and broccoli!
More Ground Beef Recipes
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Ground Beef and Potatoes Recipe
Video
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
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
I did not anticipate this being a dish my kids would particularly enjoy, but they absolutely loved it and went back for seconds! It comes together very easily for a weeknight meal and is hearty enough on it’s own, but would be great with a side of veggies or toasted bread. – recipe tester
Always such a good feeling when everyone enjoys dinner! So glad the ground beef and potatoes was a dinner win!