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Are you tired of spending hours in the kitchen after a long day? Do you dread the mountain of dishes waiting for you after dinner? Then this One-Pan Cheesy Ground Beef and Potatoes recipe is about to become your new best friend! This dish is the perfect solution for busy weeknights when you need something delicious, filling, and incredibly easy to prepare.
This comforting meal combines savory ground beef, tender baby potatoes, and melted sharp cheddar cheese all cooked in one skillet. It’s one of those easy hamburger meat recipes that delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort. The best part? Everything cooks together in a single pan, which means less cleanup and more time to relax with your family.
Whether you’re searching for quick dinner ideas, healthy dinner recipes, or simply easy meals with ground beef, this recipe checks all the boxes. It’s budget-friendly, kid-approved, and comes together in just 30 minutes from start to finish. Let’s dive into this game-changing one-pan wonder!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This One-Pan Cheesy Ground Beef and Potatoes recipe stands out among ground meat recipes for dinner for several compelling reasons:
- Minimal cleanup: Just one frying pan to wash
- Quick preparation: Ready in 30 minutes
- Budget-friendly: Uses affordable, everyday ingredients
- Family-friendly: Kids and adults love the cheesy goodness
- Versatile: Easy to customize with your favorite seasonings
- Comforting: Perfect for those lazy dinners when you need comfort food
The combination of protein-rich ground beef and carbohydrate-packed potatoes creates a balanced, satisfying meal that will keep everyone full and happy.
Essential Equipment
To make this recipe successfully, you’ll need just a few basic kitchen tools. Using quality equipment makes cooking easier and more enjoyable. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Large frying pan: A 12-inch skillet with a lid works perfectly
- Cutting board: For dicing the onion
- Chef’s knife: Sharp knife for easy chopping
- Kitchen utensils: Wooden spoon or spatula for stirring
- Measuring cups and spoons: For accurate measurements
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s everything you need to create this delicious one-pan meal. The ingredients are simple and readily available at any grocery store.
Main Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Neutral oil | 1 tablespoon | Canola or vegetable oil works best |
| Lean ground beef | 1 pound | 90/10 or 93/7 lean ratio recommended |
| Yellow onion | 1 medium | About 1½ cups diced |
| Baby gold potatoes | 1½ pounds | Halved, peeling optional |
| Sharp cheddar cheese | 4 ounces | About 1 cup shredded |
Seasonings & Liquids
| Ingredient | Quantity | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Garlic powder | 1 teaspoon | Adds savory depth |
| Kosher salt | 1 teaspoon | Season to taste |
| Black pepper | ¾ teaspoon | Divided use |
| Fresh thyme | 2 teaspoons | About 8 sprigs |
| Paprika | 1 teaspoon | Adds color and mild flavor |
| Low-sodium beef broth | 1½ cups | Creates the sauce |
| Heavy cream | ¼ cup | Makes it creamy and rich |
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps to create your perfect one-pan dinner. Using your frying pan and kitchen utensils, this recipe comes together effortlessly.
Step 1: Brown the Beef and Onions
Heat your tablespoon of neutral oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers. This ensures the beef will brown properly rather than steam. Add the ground beef, diced onion, garlic powder, half the salt, and a quarter of the black pepper. Using a wooden spoon, break up the meat into medium-sized pieces as it cooks. Continue cooking for 6 to 8 minutes until the beef is nicely browned and cooked through. The onions should be softened and translucent.
Step 2: Add Potatoes and Seasonings
Stir in the halved baby gold potatoes along with the fresh thyme leaves, paprika, remaining salt, and half the black pepper. Make sure everything is well combined so the seasonings coat all the ingredients evenly. The potatoes should be distributed throughout the beef mixture.
Step 3: Simmer with Broth and Cream
Pour in the beef broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to medium. Cover the pan with a lid and let it cook for 10 minutes. This initial covered cooking helps steam the potatoes, speeding up the cooking process.
After 10 minutes, remove the lid and give everything a good stir. Continue cooking uncovered for another 10 to 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender. If the pan starts to look dry, reduce the heat to medium-low to prevent burning. The sauce will reduce and thicken during this time.
Step 4: Add the Cheese
Once the potatoes are perfectly tender, stir in the shredded sharp cheddar cheese until it melts completely into the sauce, creating a creamy, cheesy coating. Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt if needed. Garnish with extra fresh thyme leaves and a sprinkle of black pepper before serving.
Pro Tips for Perfect Results
- Choose the right beef: Lean ground beef (90/10 or 93/7) works best to avoid excess grease
- Uniform potato sizes: Cut all potato halves to similar sizes for even cooking
- Don’t skip the browning: Properly browning the beef adds incredible flavor depth
- Fresh thyme matters: Fresh thyme provides so much more flavor than dried
- Let it simmer: Don’t rush the potato cooking time – they need to be tender
- Cheese quality counts: Use freshly shredded sharp cheddar for the best melt and flavor
Variations and Substitutions
This versatile recipe adapts easily to your preferences:
- Ground meat options: Try ground turkey, chicken, or pork instead of beef
- Vegetable additions: Add bell peppers, mushrooms, or green beans
- Cheese alternatives: Experiment with Monterey Jack, Gouda, or mozzarella
- Spice it up: Add red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños for heat
- Different potatoes: Regular russet or red potatoes work too (just adjust cooking time)
- Make it lighter: Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream
Storage and Reheating
Store leftover One-Pan Cheesy Ground Beef and Potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place portions in a frying pan over medium heat with a splash of beef broth to prevent drying out. You can also reheat individual servings in the microwave, stirring halfway through.
For longer storage, this dish freezes well for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. The texture of the potatoes may change slightly after freezing, but the flavor remains delicious.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen ground beef?
Yes! Just make sure to thaw it completely in the refrigerator before cooking. Frozen ground beef won’t brown properly and will release too much moisture.
Do I need to peel the baby potatoes?
No, the skin on baby gold potatoes is thin and tender, so peeling is optional. Leaving the skin on adds extra nutrition and texture.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Absolutely! Use olive oil instead of butter, coconut cream instead of heavy cream, and omit the cheese or use a dairy-free alternative.
What if my potatoes aren’t tender after 25 minutes?
Simply continue cooking with the lid on and check every 5 minutes. Larger potato pieces may need additional cooking time. You can also add a splash more broth if the pan is getting dry.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! All the ingredients in this recipe are naturally gluten-free. Just double-check your beef broth label to ensure it doesn’t contain any gluten additives.
Can I prep this recipe ahead of time?
You can dice the onions and halve the potatoes in advance, storing them separately in the refrigerator. However, this recipe is so quick that it’s best cooked fresh when you’re ready to eat.
Serving Suggestions
This hearty one-pan meal is satisfying on its own, but here are some delicious side dish ideas:
- Fresh garden salad with vinaigrette
- Steamed green beans or broccoli
- Crusty bread for soaking up the sauce
- Coleslaw for a refreshing crunch
- Roasted asparagus or Brussels sprouts
Nutritional Benefits
This recipe provides a balanced meal with protein from the ground beef, carbohydrates from the potatoes, and calcium from the cheese. Baby potatoes are rich in potassium, vitamin C, and fiber. Using lean ground beef keeps the saturated fat content reasonable while still providing essential iron and B vitamins.
For a healthier version, you can use ground chicken recipes or ground turkey, reduce the cream amount, or add more vegetables to increase the fiber and nutrient content.
Why This Recipe Works
The magic of this One-Pan Cheesy Ground Beef and Potatoes lies in the cooking method. By browning the beef first, you create a flavorful base. The potatoes then cook in the beef broth, absorbing all those savory flavors while releasing their own starches to thicken the sauce naturally. The combination of heavy cream and melted cheddar creates a luxurious, restaurant-quality sauce without any complicated techniques.
This is truly one of those dinner ideas with ground beef that proves you don’t need fancy ingredients or complicated methods to create an impressive meal. It’s comfort food at its finest – simple, delicious, and made with love in one pan.
Final Thoughts
When you’re looking for quick and easy dinner recipes that the whole family will love, this One-Pan Cheesy Ground Beef and Potatoes delivers every single time. It’s become one of my go-to easy hamburger meat recipes for busy weeknights, and I’m confident it will become a staple in your dinner rotation too.
The beauty of this dish is its simplicity. You don’t need special cooking skills or hard-to-find ingredients – just good quality basics and one reliable frying pan. Perfect your kitchen utensils and measuring tools, and you’re set for success.
So next time you’re standing in front of your fridge wondering what to make for dinner, remember this recipe. It’s proof that lazy dinners can be absolutely delicious, satisfying, and stress-free. Give it a try tonight – your family will thank you!
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