Is there anything more satisfying than a meal that cooks up in a single pan, leaving you with more time to relax and less time scrubbing dishes? I think not. This Cheesy Meat & Potato One-Pan Skillet is the kind of hearty, no-fuss dinner that just gets it. It’s the ultimate in cozy comfort food, bringing together savory ground beef, tender potatoes, and a blanket of melty cheese in under an hour. It’s the answer to your busiest weeknights when you need something delicious, fast.
Why You’ll Love This
This dish is so, so comforting. It’s one of those easy meals that delivers maximum flavor with minimal cleanup, which honestly feels like a small miracle on a Tuesday night. It’s a crowd-pleaser for the whole family and uses affordable ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. It’s a complete meal all by itself, but it’s also incredibly versatile. And that cheesy, golden-brown top? Pure happiness.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 tablespoon olive oil: To get everything sizzling.
- 1 pound lean ground beef: The hearty, savory base of our skillet.
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced: Adds a sweet, aromatic depth.
- 2 cloves garlic, minced: For that essential punch of flavor.
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano: Brings a little earthy, herbal note.
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika: The secret twist for a hint of smokiness.
- 4 cups diced Yukon Gold potatoes (about 3-4 medium): They hold their shape and get perfectly tender.
- 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained: Adds juicy acidity and creates a saucy base.
- 1 cup beef broth: Helps cook the potatoes and brings it all together.
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese: Because everything is better cheesy.
- 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese: For extra creamy, melty goodness.
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper: To taste, of course!
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish): A pop of color and freshness.
Let’s Get Cooking Step by Step
- Heat the olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until it’s nicely browned, about 5-7 minutes. Toss in the diced onion and cook for another 3-4 minutes until it starts to soften. Stir in the garlic, oregano, and smoked paprika and cook for just one more minute until it smells amazing.
- Add the diced potatoes, the entire can of diced tomatoes (with their juices!), and the beef broth to the skillet. Give everything a good stir, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan—that’s pure flavor right there.
- Bring the mixture to a lively simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover the skillet and let it cook for about 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and easily pierced with a fork. Give it a stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- While that’s cooking, preheat your oven’s broiler. Once the potatoes are tender, remove the skillet from the heat. Season the whole thing generously with salt and pepper. Sprinkle both cheeses evenly over the top.
- Carefully place the skillet under the broiler for 2-4 minutes. Watch it closely! You’re just looking for the cheese to melt and get bubbly and beautifully golden in spots.
- Pull the skillet out (remember that handle is HOT!), let it cool for a couple of minutes, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve it up right from the pan.
Quick Dinner Ideas for Busy Weeknights
Honestly, this recipe is my go-to for easy weeknight dinners. The whole thing comes together in one pan, which is a huge win when you’re staring down a pile of after-dinner chores. To make it even faster, you can dice your potatoes ahead of time and store them in a bowl of water in the fridge. When you’re thinking about quick dinner ideas, remember that prepping a few ingredients on Sunday can make your Wednesday night a breeze. This is one of those easy healthy dinner options that doesn’t sacrifice an ounce of comfort.
Cheesy Variations & Substitutions
This skillet is wonderfully adaptable. For a leaner option, swap the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken. Not a beef fan? Smoked turkey sausage, sliced into coins, is a fantastic alternative. Veggie-loaded? Stir in a handful of spinach or some diced bell peppers with the onions. You can play with the cheeses, too—a pepper jack will add a nice kick, or a gouda would be deliciously smoky. If you’re out of fresh potatoes, a bag of frozen diced hash browns will work in a pinch, just reduce the simmering time a bit.
Serving Ideas & Pairings
This truly is a complete meal in a dish, but a simple side salad with a bright vinaigrette is the perfect way to cut through the richness. A side of steamed green beans or roasted broccoli also works wonderfully. For a real Southern treat, a hunk of warm cornbread on the side is absolutely divine. It’s the ultimate comfort food pairing and turns this into a dinner dish that feels extra special.
Storage & Reheating Tips
Leftovers? They reheat like a dream. Let the skillet cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, the microwave works just fine for a quick lunch—just stir it halfway through. But for the best texture, warm it gently in a covered skillet on the stove over low heat, adding a tiny splash of broth or water to keep it from drying out. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I make this Cheesy Meat & Potato One-Pan Skillet ahead of time? Absolutely. You can fully assemble it, let it cool, cover it tightly, and refrigerate it for a day. When you’re ready, bake it covered at 350°F for about 20-25 minutes, then uncover, add the cheese, and broil until bubbly.
- What are other healthy dinner recipes like this? If you love the one-pan approach, try a turkey and veggie skillet or a chicken and quinoa bake. They’re all great for healthy dinner ideas that are big on flavor.
- Do I have to use an oven-safe skillet? It’s ideal for melting the cheese at the end, but if you don’t have one, no worries! Just transfer the cooked meat and potato mixture to a greased baking dish before topping with cheese and broiling.
- This is one of our favorite cheap dinners for a family. Any other suggestions? Sheet pan meals are fantastic for feeding a crowd on a budget. Tossing sausages, potatoes, and carrots with a little oil and seasoning on a sheet pan is another set-it-and-forget-it winner.
