Name: Quick Ground Beef Recipes One Pan Creamy Meat & Potato Skillet
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef; 4 medium potatoes, peeled and diced; 1 medium onion, chopped; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 cup beef broth; 1 cup heavy cream; 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese; 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 1/2 tsp paprika; 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional for garnish)

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When I think of comfort food that comes together without a lot of fuss, this one pan creamy meat and potato skillet always pops into my head. It’s hearty, filling, and the kind of meal you can throw together on a weeknight when your energy is running on low but your appetite is running on high. I like recipes that don’t leave me with a mountain of dirty dishes. That’s why I lean on ground beef skillet recipes like this one. Everything cooks in one pan, which means the flavors come together while you do almost nothing. Well, except stir once in a while. Even better, it feels like you’ve made something special without spending hours in the kitchen. This dish fits neatly into the world of One Pan Recipes and Beef Skillet Recipes. It has the creamy texture we crave, the tenderness of potatoes, and the richness of ground meat recipes that always hit the spot. When you need potato and ground beef recipes that are simple, satisfying, and guaranteed to bring folks to the table fast, this is the one you’ll want to keep in your back pocket.

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy One Pan Creamy Meat & Potato Skillet Recipe
3) Ingredients for One Pan Creamy Meat & Potato Skillet
4) How to Make One Pan Creamy Meat & Potato Skillet
5) Tips for Making One Pan Creamy Meat & Potato Skillet
6) Making One Pan Creamy Meat & Potato Skillet Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover One Pan Creamy Meat & Potato Skillet
8) Try these Main Course next!
9) One Pan Creamy Meat & Potato Skillet
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

This dish is hearty and filling, using ground beef and potatoes in a creamy skillet recipe.
Everything cooks in one pan, which saves time and reduces cleanup.
Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe balances comfort with convenience.
The ingredients are simple and flexible, letting you add vegetables or swap seasonings.

2) Easy One Pan Creamy Meat & Potato Skillet Recipe

Sometimes dinner sneaks up on me. I’ll glance at the clock, and somehow it’s already creeping past six. That’s when I reach for this recipe. It’s one of those quick ground beef recipes that feels almost like a kitchen hack. Everything comes together in one pan, so you get dinner on the table without juggling five pots and pans. It’s comfort food, plain and simple, but it doesn’t weigh you down with complexity.

What I love most is the balance of flavors. The beef carries the dish, rich and savory, while the potatoes soften into tender bites that soak up all that creamy sauce. It’s one of those ground beef skillet recipes where every forkful gives you a little of everything. I often joke that if I could only take one skillet recipe to a deserted island, this might be it. Not that I’d have a skillet there, but you get the point.

For anyone who wants dinner that checks the boxes of tasty, filling, and easy, this is it. Recipes like these are what keep me sane on nights when cooking feels like a chore. It’s a reminder that food can be both quick and satisfying without making you feel like you’ve cut corners.

3) Ingredients for One Pan Creamy Meat & Potato Skillet

Ground Beef: I use one pound of ground beef. It cooks fast, adds protein, and forms the backbone of this dish. Swap in ground turkey or chicken if you prefer a lighter twist.

Potatoes: Four medium potatoes, peeled and diced. They turn soft and comforting once they simmer in broth and cream. Think of them as little sponges that soak up flavor.

Onion: One medium onion, chopped. It lays the foundation for flavor. I like how it softens and gets a little sweet in the pan.

Garlic: Two cloves, minced. Garlic lifts the whole skillet with that unmistakable aroma. Skip it if you must, but I wouldn’t recommend it.

Beef Broth: A cup of broth helps soften the potatoes and adds depth. It’s like the quiet background note that ties everything together.

Heavy Cream: One cup of cream makes the sauce silky. It turns the broth into something rich and cozy.

Cheddar Cheese: A cup of shredded cheese. It melts into the skillet and adds that gooey finish everyone loves.

Olive Oil: Two tablespoons. It helps brown the onions and garlic before the beef joins the pan.

Seasonings: Salt, black pepper, and paprika keep things balanced. Simple but effective.

Parsley: A sprinkle of fresh parsley at the end adds a fresh green touch. Optional, but I like the color it brings.

4) How to Make One Pan Creamy Meat & Potato Skillet

Step 1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet. Toss in the onion and garlic, and sauté until soft. The smell alone tells you good things are coming.

Step 2. Add the ground beef. Cook until it browns and loses that raw color. Break it into small crumbles as you go.

Step 3. Stir in the diced potatoes. Season with salt, pepper, and paprika. This step sets the tone for the dish, so don’t hold back on the flavor.

Step 4. Pour in the beef broth. Cover the pan and let everything simmer until the potatoes soften, about 15 minutes. Stir every few minutes so nothing sticks.

Step 5. Stir in the heavy cream. Let it simmer for another five minutes. The sauce thickens just enough to coat the potatoes and beef.

Step 6. Sprinkle cheddar cheese over the top. Cover the pan again and let the cheese melt into the skillet. That gooey layer always makes me smile.

Step 7. Finish with fresh parsley if you have it. Serve hot, straight from the skillet, while the cheese still stretches with every bite.

5) Tips for Making One Pan Creamy Meat & Potato Skillet

I’ve learned a few tricks after making this recipe more times than I can count. First, cut the potatoes small. The smaller the dice, the faster they cook, and the more they soak up that creamy sauce. It’s a detail that makes the dish shine.

Second, let the beef brown properly before adding the potatoes. Browning means flavor. Rushing this step leaves the meat pale and the skillet less flavorful. Give it the time it deserves.

Finally, use freshly grated cheese if you can. Pre-shredded cheese works, but it doesn’t melt as smoothly. A block of cheddar and a grater go a long way toward making this skillet feel like a small victory at the end of a long day.

6) Making One Pan Creamy Meat & Potato Skillet Ahead of Time

This skillet works well as a make-ahead meal. Cook it, cool it, and tuck it into the fridge. When you’re ready, reheat it gently on the stove with a splash of broth or cream. It brings the sauce back to life without drying things out.

If you plan to serve it later, stop before adding the cheese. Reheat the skillet, then finish with the cheese just before serving. It keeps that cheesy topping fresh and gooey instead of rubbery.

I often make this dish in the morning if I know the evening will be busy. That way, dinner feels effortless when I walk back through the door.

7) Storing Leftover One Pan Creamy Meat & Potato Skillet

Leftovers are a gift with this recipe. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. The flavors actually deepen as the potatoes rest in the sauce. It almost tastes better the next day.

When reheating, add a little broth or milk. It loosens the sauce back to its creamy self. A quick stir on the stove and you’re back in business.

I don’t recommend freezing this dish. The cream and potatoes don’t hold up well in the freezer. Stick to the fridge for the best results.

8) Try these Main Course next!

9) One Pan Creamy Meat & Potato Skillet