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Kid-Approved Cheesy Ground Beef and Potato Skillet: Easy 30-Minute Dinner

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A quick and easy one-pan dinner featuring crispy potatoes, juicy ground beef, and a blanket of melted cheese. Perfect for busy weeknights, this budget-friendly meal comes together in just 30 minutes and is sure to please even the pickiest eaters.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 works best)
  • 4 medium russet potatoes, diced into ½-inch cubes (about 4 cups)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (sharp cheddar gives the most flavor)
  • ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon paprika (smoked paprika adds depth)
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ cup beef broth (or chicken broth or water)
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients first. Dice the potatoes into ½-inch cubes, dice the onion, mince the garlic, and shred your cheese.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Once it shimmers, add the diced potatoes in a single layer. Let them cook undisturbed for 4-5 minutes until the bottoms are golden brown.
  3. Stir the potatoes and continue cooking for another 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender on the inside and crispy on the outside. Transfer the potatoes to a plate and set aside.
  4. In the same skillet, add the ground beef and diced onion. Cook for 5-6 minutes until the beef is browned and the onion is translucent. Leave about a tablespoon of fat in the pan.
  5. Add the minced garlic, salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. Stir and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  6. Stir in the ketchup and beef broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer for 1-2 minutes until slightly thickened.
  7. Return the potatoes to the skillet and gently stir everything together. Spread into an even layer. Sprinkle the cheddar and mozzarella cheeses evenly over the top.
  8. Cover the skillet with a lid and reduce the heat to low. Let it cook for 3-4 minutes until the cheese is completely melted and bubbly. For a golden top, remove the lid for the last minute.
  9. Remove from heat and let it rest for 2 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

For best results, shred your own cheese as pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting. Let the skillet rest for 2 minutes after cooking to allow the cheese to set. For a vegetarian version, swap ground beef for black beans or plant-based crumbles and use vegetable broth. Leftovers keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and reheat well in a skillet with a splash of water or broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: cheesy ground beef and potato skillet, easy 30-minute dinner, one-pan meal, family dinner, budget-friendly, kid-approved, ground beef recipe, potato skillet

Find it online: https://forkifyfun.com/kid-approved-cheesy-ground-beef-and-potato-skillet-easy-30-minute-dinner/