Cheesy Ground Beef and Potatoes (Easy One Skillet Dinner)

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Ground Beef and Potatoes is a hearty one-skillet dinner that lands on the table in under an hour. It is old fashioned comfort food made easy, and the whole family comes back for seconds.

Browned ground beef and tender Yukon Gold potatoes in a savory gravy, topped with a layer of melted cheddar.

Plated Ground Beef and Potatoes with the skillet and a second serving behind it.

Table of Contents

Meat and potatoes is about as German as it gets. This skillet is my American shortcut to the simple dinners I grew up on. My husband still swipes a spoonful straight from the pan before dinner makes it to the table.

Recipe Highlights

One skillet, start to finish.
No boiling the potatoes separately.
Ready in under an hour.
Kid approved and picky eater friendly.
Easy on the grocery budget.

Ingredient Notes

Please check the recipe card below for a detailed, printable ingredient list.

Ingredients need to make Ground Beef and Potatoes.

GROUND BEEF – I use 90/10 so everything stays right in the pan, no draining needed. If your beef runs fattier, like 80/20, pour off the extra grease after browning and keep going.

POTATOES – Peeling is optional. Yukon Gold skins are thin, so a good scrub and a quick chop works just fine on a busy night.

Potato	Texture in the Skillet	Good to Know
Yukon Gold (this recipe)	Creamy inside, holds its shape	My first pick every time
Russet	Softer, breaks down a little	Peel it, and check for doneness early
Red potatoes	Firm bite	Sturdy enough to leave the skins on

GREEN BELL PEPPER – Any color works. Green keeps things a little more savory, red and yellow run sweeter. Use what you have.

TOMATO PASTE – Grab the tube instead of the can if you can find it. It keeps in the fridge for months, and there is no half-used can to forget about.

CHEDDAR – Shred it off the block for the smoothest melt. Colby Jack or Monterey Jack melt beautifully too if that is what is in your cheese drawer.

How To Make Ground Beef and Potatoes

Please check the printable recipe card below for more detailed instructions.

Browning the beef with onion, bell pepper, and garlic for Ground Beef and Potatoes.

Smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, and tomato paste going into the browned beef.

Fork tender potatoes and beef in the skillet after a covered simmer in broth.

Cheddar melted over the finished skillet of Ground Beef and Potatoes with parsley.

Brown the ground beef, then cook the onion and bell pepper until soft.
Stir in the garlic, tomato paste, and seasonings.
Add the potatoes, broth, and Worcestershire, then cover and simmer until tender.
Thicken with the cornstarch slurry, top with cheese, and cover until melted.

Serving of Ground Beef and Potatoes on a white plate.

Leftovers and Storage

STORE – Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

FREEZE – Cool completely, then freeze in a sealed container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.

REHEAT – Warm it in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of beef broth for 5 to 7 minutes. In the microwave, heat in 60 second bursts, stirring in between. For a big batch, cover and reheat in a 350º Fahrenheit oven for 15 to 20 minutes.

MAKE AHEAD – Cook the whole skillet a day ahead and hold the cheese. Reheat with a splash of broth, then melt the cheese fresh right before serving.

More Easy Ground Beef Recipes

Serving Suggestions

WEEKNIGHT DINNER – This skillet is a full meal on its own. When I want something fresh next to it, a crisp German Cucumber Salad does the trick.

SUNDAY SUPPER – Turn it into a bigger spread with Green Beans With Bacon and a warm loaf of 3 Ingredient Bread for the gravy.

BREAKFAST FOR DINNER – Spoon it onto plates and top each one with a fried egg. Nobody says no to that.

LEFTOVER LUNCH – Tuck the leftovers into a warm tortilla with a little extra cheddar. It makes a quick lunch you will look forward to.

Side view of a skillet of Ground Beef and Potatoes with melted cheddar and a wooden spoon.

Recipe Success Tips

EVEN CUBES – Cut the potatoes into same-size pieces so every cube turns tender at the same time. Aim for pieces about the size of a sugar cube.

LID ON – The lid traps the steam that cooks the potatoes through. Peek in to stir, then cover it right back up.

SAUCY FINISH – A stir every few minutes keeps everything cooking evenly. If the pan tightens up before the potatoes are tender, a splash more broth brings the sauce right back.

EXPERT TIP: Cook the tomato paste for a full minute before the liquid goes in. That single minute deepens the color and gives the gravy its rich, slow-simmered flavor.

Commonly Asked Questions

Can I Use Frozen Diced Potatoes?

Yes, frozen diced potatoes are a handy shortcut. Add them straight from the bag, no thawing needed. They cook faster than fresh, so start checking for tenderness around the 10 minute mark. The gravy and cheese come together exactly the same way.

Can I Double This Recipe?

Ground Beef and Potatoes doubles easily for a bigger crowd. Trade the skillet for a Dutch oven or your widest pot so the potatoes cook in an even layer. Keep the lid on, stir a little more often, and give the simmer a few extra minutes.

Is This Skillet Spicy?

No, this dinner is mild and completely kid friendly. The smoked paprika brings warmth without heat. If your table likes a little heat, stir in a pinch of crushed red pepper with the seasonings. A diced jalapeño cooked with the bell pepper works too.

Can I Use Ground Turkey Instead of Beef?

Yes, ground turkey works well in this skillet. Turkey is leaner, so add an extra drizzle of olive oil when browning. Everything else stays the same, from the simmer time to the cheesy finish. Ground chicken works the same way.

Can I Add More Vegetables?

Yes, this skillet takes well to extras. Stir a cup of frozen corn or peas in with the cornstarch slurry. They heat through while the sauce thickens. Diced carrots can go in with the potatoes so they turn tender at the same time.

What Is Hamburger Hash?

Hamburger hash is an old fashioned name for this exact dinner, cheesy ground beef and potatoes cooked in one skillet. Some families grew up calling it hash, others just called it supper. Whatever the name, it is the same cozy combination of browned beef, tender potatoes, and melted cheese.

More Ground Beef Dinner Recipes

For nights when even one skillet feels like too much, let the crock pot take over.

Picadillo – The same cozy beef and potato pairing with a savory Latin twist.

Ground Beef Stroganoff – Creamy comfort over egg noodles, easy enough for a weeknight.

Korean Beef Bowl – Sweet and savory beef over rice, faster than takeout.

Taco Pizza – Taco night and pizza night on one cheesy crust, no arguing required.

Cowboy Beans – Bacon, beef, and four kinds of beans baked in a sweet molasses sauce.

Frito Pie – Thick, smoky chili with melted cheese and a crunchy Frito top.

Maike Corbett

Maike Corbett grew up in German kitchens learning to cook and bake alongside her Omas before spending over a decade running full-service restaurants in the US. She founded Cheerful Cook in 2017 to share practical, tested comfort food recipes that actually work on busy weeknights, drawing on both her American restaurant experience and her German home-cooking roots. Her work has been featured on MSN, Yahoo, the Associated Press, and other major media outlets.