One-Pan Cheesy Meat & Potato Skillet

Introduction

A One-Pan Cheesy Meat & Potato Skillet is the answer when you crave a comfort meal that’s simple to execute but big in flavor and satisfaction. Bringing together hearty potatoes, savory ground meat, vegetables, and a generous layer of melted cheese, this recipe delivers home-cooked comfort with minimal cleanup. It’s perfect for feeding a hungry family on a busy night or impressing guests with an effortless, crowd-pleasing dinner.

Why Make This One-Pan Cheesy Meat & Potato Skillet?

This dish combines all the best elements of a skillet dinner: it’s flavorful, filling, and comes together in a single pan, minimizing cleanup. The crispy potatoes, savory bites of meat, and gooey cheese blend into a golden, bubbling topping—guaranteed to please even the pickiest eaters. Its versatility lets you swap in your favorite ground meat or vegetables, making it a customizable staple for any weeknight menu.

Preparing Your Ingredients for Maximum Flavor

Start by dicing your potatoes into even pieces so they cook through evenly and soak up plenty of flavor from the onion, garlic, and seasoning. Sautéing the onions and garlic with your choice of ground meat intensifies the depth of flavor. Add vegetables either fresh or frozen for bulk and extra nutrition, and don’t skimp on the seasoning for that mouthwatering finish. Shredded cheese (cheddar or a mix) crowns the dish, broiling to a beautiful, bubbling crust.

How to Make Your Cheesy Meat & Potato Skillet

After browning and seasoning the meat, the potatoes get cooked until fork-tender, absorbing the savory flavors in the pan. Vegetables are stirred in, blending perfectly with the skillet’s heartiness. A finishing layer of cheese is sprinkled atop, then broiled (if you wish) for those irresistible golden, melty patches. Serve straight from the pan for a rustic presentation!

Serving Suggestions for a Cheesy Comfort Classic

Garnish with fresh chopped parsley or chives for a pop of color and flavor. Pair with a simple side salad or steamed green vegetables to complete the meal. Leftovers reheat perfectly and work great as meal prep for busy lunches or future dinners.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe makes about 4 generous servings. Each portion contains protein-rich meat, potassium-packed potatoes, and calcium from cheese—perfect for a well-rounded meal. Calories per serving will vary depending on meat and cheese choices but generally range from 450 to 600 calories per serving.

One-Pan Cheesy Meat & Potato Skillet (Recap)

With classic flavors, satisfying texture contrasts, and a bubbly cheese topping, this one-pan meal is bound to become a repeat favorite. It’s easy, adaptable, and sure to satisfy any comfort food craving.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate a shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—making grocery trips efficient and helping you stay organized throughout the week.

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced onion and sauté until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
2. Add ground meat to the skillet. Cook until browned and cooked through, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain excess fat if necessary.
3. Add diced potatoes. Sprinkle with paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir well, then spread potatoes evenly across the pan. Cover and cook for about 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until potatoes are just fork-tender.
4. Stir in the mixed vegetables and cook uncovered for another 3–5 minutes, until veggies are heated through and potatoes are completely tender.
5. Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over the skillet. Reduce heat to low, cover, and let cheese melt for 2–3 minutes. (For a bubbly brown top, place the skillet under the broiler for 1–2 minutes, watching closely.)
6. Remove from heat. Garnish with fresh parsley or chives if desired. Serve directly from the skillet for an easy, comforting family meal!

Weekly Meal Planning

This recipe is a meal prep and meal planning superstar. Save and schedule this recipe in your weekly meal planner to auto-calculate ingredient amounts, consolidate your shopping list, and optimize every grocery trip.

Planning Benefits:

• Automatically adds up ingredients across all your planned dishes
• Sorts your groceries by store section to minimize time spent shopping
• Helps avoid missing ingredients and accidental duplicate purchases
• Makes organizing and executing your weekly meal prep far more efficient

Pro tip: When you schedule recipes together, your shopping list smartly groups overlapping ingredients (like potatoes, cheese, or onions), so you buy just what you need—streamlining your kitchen routine and minimizing food waste.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

Enjoy this comforting, one-pan wonder—and enjoy the time it saves you in the kitchen and grocery store all week long!