One-Pan Cheesy Meat & Potato Skillet

Introduction

The One-Pan Cheesy Meat & Potato Skillet is the ultimate answer to hearty weeknight dinners that don’t sacrifice flavor for convenience. Think tender potatoes, savory ground meat, and gooey melted cheese all cooked together in a single pan. Not only does this recipe yield a deeply satisfying meal, but it also keeps cleanup minimal—making it a favorite among busy home cooks and anyone craving comfort food without the mess.

Deliciously Unique One-Pan Cheesy Meat & Potato Skillet

What makes this skillet dish exceptional is its seamless layering of classic flavors. The potatoes soak up the meat’s juicy seasoning, while the melted cheese ties everything together with a creamy finish. Each bite delivers satisfying textures and bold taste, making this meal a guaranteed crowd pleaser at family dinners and casual gatherings alike.

Preparing the Perfect Skillet Base

For best results, use waxy potatoes like Yukon Golds, which hold their shape and become perfectly tender in the pan. Choose your favorite ground meat—beef, turkey, or pork all work well. Sauté onions and garlic first to provide a savory depth, then add spices for warmth and complexity before finishing with a generous layer of your favorite melty cheese.

Assembling Your One-Pan Cheesy Meat & Potato Skillet

Start by browning the meat and sautéing aromatics, then layer in thinly sliced potatoes. Let the potatoes cook until crisp-tender, stirring occasionally to ensure every piece is coated with flavor. Top with cheese, cover, and let it melt into a luscious, golden layer. If desired, broil briefly for an irresistible bubbly finish.

Serving Suggestions for a Show Stopping One-Pan Cheesy Meat & Potato Skillet

Serve this skillet straight from the pan with a sprinkle of chopped parsley or scallions for color and freshness. Pair with a crisp green salad or steamed vegetables to round out the meal. This dish also reheats well, making it perfect for leftovers and meal prep.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields about 4 hearty servings. Each portion contains approximately 450 to 550 calories (depending on meat and cheese choices), making it a filling main course that’s both satisfying and easy to fit into a balanced meal plan.

One-Pan Cheesy Meat & Potato Skillet (Recap)

With its comforting blend of savory meat, tender potatoes, and creamy cheese, this recipe transforms simple ingredients into a meal that everyone looks forward to. Best of all, the one-pan method saves time on prep and cleanup, proving that great taste and simplicity can go hand-in-hand.

💡 Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and hassle-free meal planning.

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and sauté until soft, about 3 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
2. Add ground meat, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned and no longer pink, seasoning with salt, pepper, paprika, and Italian herbs as it cooks.
3. Stir in the thinly sliced potatoes, ensuring they’re well-distributed in the pan. Add the milk or cream, then cover the skillet and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook for 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are tender.
4. Sprinkle cheese evenly over the skillet. Cover for 2–3 minutes until the cheese is fully melted. For a golden, bubbly finish, broil (uncovered) for 2–3 minutes watching closely.
5. Garnish with chopped parsley or scallions if desired. Serve hot straight from the skillet, and enjoy!

Weekly Meal Planning

This recipe is an excellent addition to your weekly meal prep, providing satisfying leftovers and freeing up your weeknight schedule. Save and schedule this recipe in your meal plan to automatically generate smart shopping lists that consolidate all ingredients from your planned meals.

Planning Benefits:

• Calculates exact ingredient quantities you’ll need across multiple dinners
• Organizes shopping lists by grocery store section for efficiency
• Helps avoid duplicate purchases and ensures no ingredients are missed
• Streamlines your meal prep and makes cooking at home easier

Pro tip: When planning several meals, schedule your recipes—you’ll see overlapping ingredients and combined totals, like potatoes and cheese, so you know exactly what (and how much) to buy.

Cook and Prep Times

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