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My Easy Ground Beef and Potatoes Skillet is the comforting, one-pan meal perfect for busy weeknights. I’ve crafted this recipe to be quick, stress-free, and packed with flavor—perfect for busy families.
Classic Meat and Potatoes!
Skillet meals are a staple in my kitchen, and this Ground Beef and Potatoes Skillet is one that my family can’t get enough of. Using everyday ingredients you likely already have, it’s a no-fuss recipe that still feels comforting and satisfying.
My mother-in-law used to make the best beef patties with thick-sliced onions, and I’ve taken her classic and made it a bit easier for busy nights. I added some cheese for a little extra flavor, and let me tell you, these simple ingredients come together so perfectly. It’s one of those meals your family will be asking for over and over again!
Beef and Potatoes Ingredients
- Ground Beef
- Onions
- Garlic
- Potatoes
- Heavy Cream or Milk
- Salt & Pepper
- Cheese (of course)
How to Make Ground Beef with Potatoes in a Skillet
- First dice your onions or use some from the frozen or produce sections of the grocery store.
- Next slice potatoes really thin. We like to leave the peel on, but you can certainly peel them first. I use a mandoline to get a really nice thin cut.
- Get a nice seasoned cast iron skillet or your use your favorite skillet that has a lid. I use a 12 inch seasoned cast iron skillet. Cook hamburger meat along with salt and pepper until nicely browned and done. Do not drain the grease for this recipe. It helps cook the potatoes and gives the dish tons of flavor.
- Add in fresh garlic and onions. You can also use jarred minced garlic or garlic powder if you don’t have fresh.
- Place sliced potatoes and cream in and stir it all really well.
- Put on the lid and cook for 20 minutes. Then give it a good stir and mix everything up and move those on the bottom up and give the others time to cook and brown up a bit on the bottom.
- Place on the lid and cook for 15 more minutes. Check to potatoes to be sure they are done (fork tender). If not, cook another 10 minutes or until potatoes are completely cooked.
- Once the potatoes are done, sprinkle the cheese on top and put the lid back on. Cook for 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
- Sprinkle with parsley and serve!
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Ground Beef and Potatoes Recipe Tips
Tips
- Make sure not to drain your drippings. You need to grease to cook and season the potatoes.
- I like to use Russet potatoes, you can also use Yukon gold or a Red potato if that is what you have on hand. Keep it simple and use items you have.
- Slice the potatoes really thin so they will cook nicely in this short amount of time.
- If things start to stick badly when simmering, add a little beef or chicken stock or even water. You will notice them sticking a touch and that is okay. I don’t usually do not need to add any liquid. There is enough moisture oil from the hamburger meat and the cream.
How to Store Beef and Potatoes
To store your Ground Beef and Potatoes Skillet, let it cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It will keep in the fridge for up to 4 days.
When you’re ready to enjoy it again, just reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop until warmed through.
More Easy Family Friendly Meals
- Lemon Chicken and Potatoes Skillet
- Cheesy Unstuffed Pepper Skillet
- Creamy Spaghetti Sausage
- Creamy Italian Sausage Tortellini Skillet
- Cheesy Hamburger Skillet (Homemade Hamburger Helper)
- Ground Beef Doritos Casserole
- Ground Beef and Sausage Rice
More from Soulfully Made
Skillet Ground Beef and Potatoes Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 to 1.5 pounds ground beef
- salt, to taste
- ½ tsp black pepper, or to taste
- ½ cup yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves fresh garlic, minced or 1 tsp garlic powder
- 6 to 8 medium potatoes, thinly sliced
- 1 cup heavy cream or milk
- 2 cups of shredded colby jack cheese
Instructions
- In a large skillet, with lid, add in ground beef and crumble with spatula. Season with salt and pepper. Cook and crumble ground beef until done or browned. Do not drain fat off after cooking.
- Add in diced onion and fresh garlic and stir.
- Next add in thinly sliced potatoes.
- Pour in heavy cream or milk and stir to combine.
- Cover with lid and cook on medium low heat for 15 minutes. Then remove lid and stir well.
- Place lid back on and cook for another 20 minutes. Check potatoes to see if they are done (tender when pierced with a fork). If not repeat another 10 minutes and check. Cook until potatoes are done.
- Once potatoes are fork tender, sprinkle cheese on top. Place the lid on skillet and cook for 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.
- Garnish with parsley or sliced green onion and serve.
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Notes
- Make sure not to drain your drippings. You need to grease to cook and season the potatoes.
- I like to use Russet potatoes, you can also use Yukon gold or a Red potato if that is what you have on hand. Keep it simple and use items you have.
- Slice the potatoes really thin so they will cook nicely in this short amount of time.
- If things start to stick badly when simmering, add a little beef or chicken stock or even water. You will notice them sticking a touch and that is okay. I don’t usually do not need to add any liquid. There is enough moisture oil from the hamburger meat and the cream.
Nutrition Information
Nutritional Disclaimer
Soulfully Made is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
©️Soulfully Made
So delicious, Thanks for the recipe. Loving these!
You are so welcome! I am glad you enjoyed it!
This skillet reminded me of scout camp when I was a kid. I loved that I could make it in my oven. Thank you for this delicious meal that brought back awesome memories.
I am so glad you enjoyed it. I love how a meal can bring back those wonderful memories! Thanks for sharing!
My new go-to recipe when I am needing dinner fast. My family LOVED this recipe. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for making it, Sky! I am so happy to hear your family loved it.
Very simple and quick n delicious!!
I actually put it under broiler right before serving, I love a bit of cheesy crispness. ๐
Thank You for this posting this recipe.
That’s a perfect way to crisp it up and make it bubbly! You are so welcome! I am glad you enjoyed it!
I was skeptical but man was this good!! I used red potatoes and pepper jack cheese (didnโt have cheddar), added a little beef broth due to using super lean grass fed ground beef.
So delicious!
Thank you, Leigh! I am so glad you enjoyed this. It’s such a simple meal but is packed with flavor.
This recipe is great but yes, indeed I drained nearly 2 cups of grease. Probably the fat content of the meat I chose, the recipe was just as delicious without all the cholesterol.
Thank you, Nichole. You need a little of the grease for this one, but if there is extreme excess draining is a good idea.
The recipe was really easy to fix. The potatoes didnโt take nearly as long as expected. However, it was delicious! We will definitely be making this again.
I am so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for stopping by to let us know! We appreciate it!
If you wanna turn this into a shepherds pie pan meal, add corn and Worcestershire sauce , it is very delicious and a splash of beef broth or water helps with not sticking
I added Worcestershire sauce to the beef/onion mix. It got a little burnt even though I cooked it on low instead of medium low. I would recommend stirring at 15, 10, and 10 minutes. Overall ?! I will definitely make it again with a few of my own additions – paprika, mushrooms, maybe bacon on top.
I am so glad you liked it. Add a little beef broth, water, or more cream if you start to see it stick. It can do this if you use really lean beef sometimes. There are other factors sometimes potatoes soak in the moisture faster than others. Stirring does help as well. Those all sound like delicious add-ins!
Great easy recipe! I just made it tonight and I shared it with a few friends as well who are always looking for easy family meals. Thank you!
Thank you, Robyn! I am so glad you enjoyed it. It is one of my family’s favorites. I appreciate you sharing the recipe with your friends! I hope they try it and love it too!
Amazing! Easy! I sliced THIN – so ready for cheese after the first 15 minutes. Thanks for recipe!
I am so glad you loved it! This one is on our meal rotation. Easy and the family really loves it too!
I made this tonight and we loved it! I didn’t have Colby Jack cheese so I used shredded cheddar and it came out good.
I am so glad you all loved it, Paula!
My sister made this recipe today, and there way too many potatoes for the pan we used, which was very large. What is a “medium” potatoe? What kind of potatoes? My sister sliced 7 large russet potatoes, and it was way too much for the pan, which was large and deep, so I had to fry the extra amount, and they started to discolor. It took much longer to cook than 20 minutes, probabl closer to an hour. Perhaps it would be better to say 4-5 cups of sliced potatoes or define how big “medium” is.
Jeanne, a medium potato is usually 6-8 ounces and is 2 to 3 inches in diameter. One potato usually yields about 3/4 a cup sliced potatoes. You really can use any potato in this recipe, but in the recipe card notes, it specifies I have used russet, Yukon, and red potatoes for this recipe. I use a 12-inch skillet. Also, per the recipe, the cooking time is 40 minutes in total (but also until fork tender). Sometimes you may need a little extra cook time based on the water content in the potato which can vary even in a specific type of potato, thus why adding the direction to check with a fork until tender. Hope this helps and please let me know if you have any other questions.
An easier way to do this recipe is to simply grab a bag of frozen potatoes O’Brian. add the cream as directed but I add Worcestershire, and beef bullion to the ground meat…also turns out well with turkey.
Nice shortcut idea when you don’t want to add fresh!
Why did my potatoes and meat burn to the bottom the first 15 mins ?
There may not have been enough grease in the ground beef or the skillet may have been up too high, all stovetops run a little different. Try lowering your setting. You can add a little beef or chicken stock if you have an issue. Make sure you don’t drain the grease off of the meat.
Hit the spot! My entire family enjoyed this meal and there wasn’t a spoonful left by the end! Plus, it was super easy to throw together!
Loved your tip about slicing the potatoes really thin (we keep the skins on too), they cook quickly and are tender every time. A delicious dinner!
I always loved this when my mom made it for dinner because there was always leftovers so I could eat it for breakfast. This recipe reminds me of my moms because she used colby jack instead of cheddar as well!
Thank you, Nikki! Very easy to make for a novice cook like me! And… the best part? Very tasty! Looking forward to leftovers for lunch tomorrow!
Thank you Shel! My family loves this one too! Enjoy those leftovers!
This is my kind of meal! Looks delicious.
Thank you so much! My family loves it and it’s such an easy weeknight meal!
I made this for dinner tonight. It was very good, my family liked it. It was easy too!
Thank you Debbie! I am so glad the family enjoyed it!