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Easy Cheesy Ground Beef and Potato Skillet

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A quick and easy weeknight dinner featuring crispy potatoes, seasoned ground beef, and melted cheese, all cooked in one skillet for maximum flavor and minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20)
  • 4 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, diced into ½-inch cubes (about 4 cups)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Fresh parsley or chives, chopped (optional)
  • Sour cream for serving (optional)
  • Hot sauce for serving (optional)

Instructions

  1. Scrub the potatoes clean and dice into ½-inch cubes. Pat dry with a clean towel.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced potatoes in a single layer and cook undisturbed for 4-5 minutes until golden brown. Stir and cook another 4-5 minutes until tender and crispy. Season with a pinch of salt. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, add the ground beef. Break it up and cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes to sear, then stir and cook until browned, about 3 more minutes. Spoon out excess fat, leaving about 1 tablespoon.
  4. Push the beef to one side and add the diced onion. Cook for 2 minutes until softened, then stir into the beef. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Sprinkle the salt, pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne (if using) over the beef and onion mixture. Stir well to coat.
  6. Return the potatoes to the skillet and stir to combine. Spread into an even layer and cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes to re-crisp the bottom.
  7. Sprinkle the cheddar and mozzarella evenly over the top. Cover the skillet with a lid or foil and reduce heat to low. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Optionally, broil for 1-2 minutes for browning.
  8. Remove from heat and let rest for 2 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley or chives, and serve with sour cream and hot sauce if desired.

Notes

For best results, shred cheese from a block rather than using pre-shredded. Pat potatoes dry to ensure crispiness. Let beef sear without stirring for deeper flavor. For a vegetarian version, substitute black beans or plant-based crumbles. Leftovers keep in the fridge for up to 4 days; reheat in a skillet with a splash of water.

Nutrition

Keywords: ground beef, potato skillet, cheesy skillet, weeknight dinner, easy dinner, comfort food, one-pan meal

Find it online: https://ovenmila.com/easy-cheesy-ground-beef-and-potato-skillet/