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Cheesy Ground Beef and Potatoes Skillet
Michonne Zendaya

Cheesy Ground Beef and Potatoes Skillet

This one-pan Cheesy Ground Beef and Potatoes Skillet is the ultimate comfort food — savory beef, creamy potatoes, and gooey melted cheddar all come together in under 30 minutes. Simple, hearty, and family-approved!
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 485
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb lean ground beef (85/15 recommended)
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp Kosher salt (divided)
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper (divided)
  • 1 tsp dried thyme or Italian seasoning
  • 1 lb Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and diced into ½-inch cubes (about 3 medium potatoes)
  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken or beef broth
  • 1/2 cup whole milk or half-and-half
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch (or flour)
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (for topping)
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley or chives, chopped (for garnish)

Equipment

  • large deep skillet or Dutch oven
  • wooden spoon
  • knife and cutting board
  • measuring cups and spoons
  • whisk
  • stovetop

Method
 

  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, seasoning with ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Drain excess grease.
  2. Reduce heat to medium. Add diced onion and cook for 4–5 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and dried thyme, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Stir in diced potatoes with remaining salt and pepper. Cook for 2–3 minutes, coating them in the seasoning and beef mixture.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of broth until smooth. Add remaining broth and milk to the skillet, bring to a simmer, and stir in the slurry.
  5. Cover skillet and simmer over medium-low heat for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until potatoes are tender and sauce thickens.
  6. Remove from heat. Stir in 1 cup of shredded cheddar until fully melted and creamy. Sprinkle with remaining ½ cup cheese, cover for 2–3 minutes to melt the topping.
  7. Garnish with chopped parsley or chives and serve hot straight from the skillet.

Notes

Cheese Tip: Always remove the skillet from heat before stirring in the cheese to ensure a smooth, creamy sauce.
Potatoes: Cut potatoes evenly into ½-inch cubes for uniform cooking. Yukon Golds work best for a creamy texture.
Make Ahead: You can prepare the beef and aromatics up to 3 days in advance, then finish cooking with potatoes and cheese before serving.