Ground beef and potatoes come together with savory ranch seasoning and a creamy cheddar cheese sauce in this hearty skillet dinner. It’s filling, flavorful and easy to make with simple ingredients.

Other hearty dinners we love include crockpot cowboy casserole and hamburger casserole!

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

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Key Takeaways: Ground Beef and Potatoes Skillet

  • A twist on meat and potatoes. Ranch seasoning and creamy cheddar sauce give the classic comfort-food combination extra flavor.
  • Made with simple ingredients. Ground beef, potatoes, cheese and pantry seasonings create a hearty, budget-friendly dinner.
  • Family approved. The tender potatoes, seasoned beef and melted cheese make this an easy meal for kids and adults alike.

Cheesy Ground Beef and Potato Skillet

Why I Love This Recipe

This ground beef and potatoes recipe is an affordable take on my classic steak and potatoes. Tender pan-fried potatoes and ranch-seasoned beef are combined in a skillet, then finished in the oven with a creamy cheddar cheese sauce.

It’s hearty, comforting and always a hit with my growing teens. For more easy ground beef dinners, try my homemade hamburger helper and ground beef casserole.

XO - Jamielyn
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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 prefer 90% lean ground beef. If using a fattier blend, drain the excess grease after browning, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the skillet to cook the potatoes.
  • Potatoes: Baby red or Yukon gold potatoes hold their shape well and become tender without falling apart. Larger potatoes also work; cut them in half lengthwise before thinly slicing.
  • Onion and garlic: These add savory flavor to the beef and potatoes. You can substitute ½ teaspoon onion powder if needed.
  • Seasonings: Worcestershire sauce, ranch seasoning and paprika give the beef a rich, savory flavor.
  • Butter: Helps the potatoes brown and adds richness.
  • Milk and cheddar cheese: Melt together to create the creamy cheese sauce. Freshly shredded cheese will melt more smoothly than packaged shredded cheese.

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.

Step 1: Brown the ground beef and onion in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Drain the grease, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan, then stir in the Worcestershire sauce, ranch seasoning, paprika, salt and pepper. Transfer the beef mixture to a bowl.

Sliced potatoes ready to cook in a skillet.

Step 2: Melt the butter in the same skillet, then add the thinly sliced potatoes. Season with salt and pepper and cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the garlic during the final 2 minutes.

Seasoning ground beef and sliced potatoes together in a cast iron skillet.

Step 3: Push the potatoes toward the sides of the skillet and return the seasoned beef to the center. Gently combine everything, arranging a few of the potatoes over the beef.

Cheddar cheese melting over ground beef and potatoes in a skillet.

Step 4: Warm the milk and ½ cup cheese in a small saucepan over low heat until smooth. Pour the cheese sauce over the beef and potatoes, then sprinkle the remaining cheese on top. Cover with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Uncover and bake for another 10 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender and the cheese is bubbly.

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

Recipe Tips

  • Slice the potatoes evenly. Keep the slices thin and similar in size so they cook at the same rate.
  • Use a large skillet. A 12-inch oven-safe skillet gives the potatoes enough room to brown. If your skillet isn’t oven-safe, transfer everything to a baking dish before adding the cheese sauce.
  • Keep the heat low. Warm the milk and cheese gently and remove the saucepan from the heat as soon as the cheese melts so the sauce stays smooth.
  • Check the potatoes. They should be easily pierced with a fork before serving. If they are still firm, cover and bake for another 5–10 minutes.
  • Add extra vegetables. Bell peppers or thinly sliced carrots can be cooked with the onion for an easy addition.

Ground Beef and Potatoes FAQs

Can I use regular potatoes instead of baby potatoes?

Yes. Use about 1½ pounds of red, Yukon gold or russet potatoes. If they are large, cut them in half lengthwise before slicing so the pieces fit easily in the skillet and cook evenly.

Can I dice the potatoes instead of slicing them into rounds?

Yes. Cut the potatoes into small, even ½-inch cubes so they cook through properly. Sauté them until they begin to soften, then check for tenderness after baking. They may need an additional 5–10 minutes depending on their size.

Do I need to boil the potatoes first?

No. Thinly sliced potatoes will soften as they cook in the skillet and oven. Keep the slices uniform so they finish cooking at the same time.

Can I make ground beef and potatoes without a cast iron skillet?

Yes. Use any large oven-safe skillet. If your skillet cannot go in the oven, prepare the beef and potatoes on the stovetop, then transfer everything to a greased baking dish before adding the cheese sauce.

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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

5 from 5 votes
Recipe by: Jamielyn Nye
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 6
This easy ground beef and potatoes skillet is made with ranch-seasoned beef, tender potatoes and creamy cheddar sauce for a hearty family dinner.
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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
  • 1 ½ pounds baby red and gold potatoes , 15-20 potatoes thinly sliced
  • 1 Tablespoon butter
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 ½ 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: 367kcal, Carbohydrates: 27g, Protein: 27g, Fat: 17g, Saturated Fat: 9g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Trans Fat: 0.3g, Cholesterol: 85mg, Sodium: 921mg, Potassium: 920mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 500IU, Vitamin C: 25mg, Calcium: 286mg, Iron: 3mg

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