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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!
Ground Beef and Potatoes Skillet 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 Potatoes and Ground Beef
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
My family loved it, thank you! I did half the potatoes and put in a cup of broken bite size lasagna noodles that I cooked half way and then added to the food in the last 10 minutes. I also put half Colby jack, half sharp cheddar cheese. My daughter said I upgraded to level 500 cooking 😄
I am so glad you all loved it. My kind of meal pasta and potatoes! Yum!
My family & I loved this, you can add pretty much what you want that’s what I like about it…
Question what would go good with this? Like bread or something
We love it with Garlic bread, dinner rolls, green beans, corn, or a salad!
Delicious, easy, and quick.
Thank you, Vicki! I am so glad you enjoyed this dish! It’s one of my family’s favorites!
Ma’am where have you been all my life lol…my mom never cooked growing up and I am always trying to find simple recipes with normal ingredients (like ground beef & potatoes!) that doesn’t skimp on flavor (like onion & garlic!)…so glad I came across this website, this recipe rocks and I will be using more of your awesome recipes!!! Thank you!
Thank you so much, Mary! I love to keep cooking simple and delicious! I am so glad you found us and so appreciate your 5 star rating on this recipe. It’s a favorite at our house and a great weeknight meal. Hope to hear from you again soon! Please let us know what you try next!
Very easy to make and my kids really enjoyed it
Simple and delicious. I added mushrooms as we like them and I will make it again
Thank you for the amazing rating. I love the addition of mushrooms! I wish my family would eat, them! I keep trying. I love them too!
Delicious thanks for sharing the recipe.
You are so welcome! Thank you for stopping by to let us know you love it!
My husband and both loved it. I will admitt i used sharp cheddaŕ. Only because its my husbands favorite.
Thank you for sharing.
Thank you, Mimi! I am so happy to hear you both enjoyed this dish! It’s a favorite at our house!
Love the recipe! If using lean ground beef I would recommend adding some olive oil to cook the mixture
Thank you, Teresa! It’s one of our favorites too! Yes, if your ground beef is really lean you can add in some oil or butter.
I made this I did have to use about a cup of beef broth. We raise our own meat, so it doesn’t have as much fat as store bought. I also added a half quart jar of black beans that I used in another recipe and had to use it up.
It was good. I had to add salt to my own plate as my husband doesn’t like too much salt. Will make this again!
Thank you, Dina! So glad to hear you enjoyed it and will make it again!
I would like to make this recipe, but have a question: Can frozen cubed potatoes be used instead of fresh (raw) potatoes? TIA
Judith, I have not tried that but it should work. You might need to adjust cooking time a bit.
Very delicious and I used frozen potato cubes! Family really enjoyed this dish 😋.
Thank you, Judith! I am so glad the family enjoyed it!
Love the Beef, Cheese and potato combination in this dish. Definitely delicious and creamy rich.
Thank you! I am so happy to hear you enjoyed it.
We made this skillet for dinner last night and it was delicious! Something both us and the kids will be asking for on a regular basis!
Thank you, Tayler. I am so glad its a family favorite at your house!
This was such a nice and new way to use normal ingredients we have in our fridge/freezer. Delicious.
Thank you, Sisley! I agree. Staple things we have around makes for an easy dinner!