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A close-up view of the ground beef and potato skillet, showing the crispy potatoes and savory meat sauce.

Ground Beef and Potatoes: A 30-Minute Skillet Recipe

This Ground Beef and Potatoes skillet is the ultimate 30-minute meal. A one-pan wonder featuring savory ground beef, crispy potatoes, and melted cheese, it's the perfect easy and delicious dinner for any busy weeknight.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 550
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 1.5 lbs Yukon Gold Potatoes diced into 1/2-inch cubes
  • 1 lb Lean Ground Beef 85/15 or 90/10
  • 1 Medium Onion diced
  • 3 cloves Garlic minced
  • 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
  • 1 tsp Dried Oregano
  • 0.5 cup Beef Broth low-sodium
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
  • 1.5 cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese freshly shredded
  • Salt and Pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp Fresh Parsley chopped, for garnish

Equipment

  • 1 Large Skillet A 12-inch cast iron or non-stick skillet works best.
  • 1 Cutting Board
  • 1 Knife

Method
 

  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced potatoes and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and fork-tender. Remove from skillet and set aside.
  2. In the same skillet, add the ground beef and diced onion. Cook until beef is browned and onion is soft, breaking up the meat with a spoon. Drain excess grease.
  3. Stir in the minced garlic, smoked paprika, and dried oregano. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Pour in the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce. Scrape the bottom of the pan to release any browned bits. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken slightly.
  5. Return the cooked potatoes to the skillet. Stir to combine everything. Season with salt and pepper to your liking.
  6. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top. Cover the skillet, reduce heat to low, and let it cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is perfectly melted and bubbly.
  7. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

For the best flavor, use freshly shredded cheese. Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that prevent it from melting as smoothly.
Ensure potatoes are cut into uniform, bite-sized pieces for even cooking.
Feel free to add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic for a little heat.