Cheesy ground beef and potatoes cooks in one pot, with browned beef, tender potato cubes, onion, and bell pepper simmered in broth and finished with a generous handful of melted cheese.
It is a filling weeknight dinner that uses everyday ingredients, takes about forty five minutes, and leaves you with only one pot to wash.
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Why This Cheesy Ground Beef and Potatoes Recipe Works
Browning the potatoes and beef in the same pot builds a layer of savory flavor, and the broth lifts those browned bits to season the whole dish.
Simmering the potatoes in broth lets them soak up flavor while the starch thickens the liquid slightly into a light sauce.
Cheese stirred in at the end melts into the pot and coats the beef and potatoes, giving the dish a creamy, satisfying finish.
Ingredients for Cheesy Ground Beef and Potatoes
- You need ground beef, white potatoes, onion, bell pepper, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, oil, and shredded cheese.
- Sharp cheddar gives the strongest flavor, but mozzarella or a blend of cheeses melts well too, and fresh thyme or rosemary adds an optional herb note.
Ground beef. Eighty five percent lean ground beef gives plenty of flavor without leaving too much grease in the pot.
Potatoes. White or yellow potatoes hold their shape when simmered, so cut them into small, even cubes.
Onion and bell pepper. They add sweetness and color and soften as they simmer in the broth.
Chicken broth. It cooks the potatoes and forms the base of the light sauce.
Cheese. Shred it yourself from a block for the smoothest melt.
How to Make Cheesy Ground Beef and Potatoes
1. Prep the vegetables. Peel and cut the potatoes into small cubes, and chop the onion and bell pepper.
2. Brown the potatoes. Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat, add the potatoes, and cook for eight to ten minutes until golden at the edges, then season with salt, pepper, and spices.
3. Cook the beef. Add the ground beef, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, and cook until browned and no pink remains, then add the onion and pepper.
4. Add the broth. Pour in the chicken broth, scrape the browned bits from the bottom of the pot, and bring to a gentle simmer.
5. Simmer and finish. Cover and cook for fifteen to twenty minutes until the potatoes are tender, then stir in the cheese until melted and creamy.
Stir the pot gently once or twice while it simmers, so the potatoes cook evenly without breaking apart into mush.
If the liquid reduces too quickly, add a splash more broth, since the potatoes need enough liquid to finish cooking through.
How to Serve Cheesy Ground Beef and Potatoes
Serve the dinner straight from the pot with roasted green beans with garlic or lemon almond green beans for a green side. Buttery yeast dinner rolls soak up the sauce, and for a second ground beef dinner this week, try herb seasoned beef meatloaf.
How to Store and Reheat Cheesy Ground Beef and Potatoes
Cool leftovers quickly and refrigerate them in a covered container within two hours, then eat them within three days. Reheat in a skillet or microwave with a splash of broth until the beef and potatoes reach 165 degrees F throughout. The potatoes soften more as they sit, so stir gently, and freezing is not recommended because the texture turns grainy.
Tips and Variations for Cheesy Ground Beef and Potatoes
Flag the allergens. This dish contains milk from the cheese, and some broths or seasonings contain other allergens, so check labels.
Cook beef thoroughly. Ground beef is safe at 160 degrees F, so cook it until no pink remains and a thermometer confirms the temperature.
Do not taste raw beef. Wash your hands, board, and tools after handling raw ground beef, and never sample the meat before it is cooked.
Cut potatoes small. Small, even cubes cook through in the time it takes the beef to finish.
Drain extra fat. If the beef releases a lot of fat, spoon off most of it before adding the broth.
Add the cheese off heat. Stir in the cheese after lowering the heat so it melts smoothly instead of turning oily.
Change the flavor. Add garlic, hot sauce, or diced tomatoes, and adjust the salt after the cheese melts.
Check trusted guidance. For safe cooking temperatures and leftovers, read the FDA safe food handling guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cheesy Ground Beef and Potatoes
What potatoes work for cheesy ground beef and potatoes?
White or yellow potatoes hold their shape, while russets break down more and make the sauce thicker.
Can I make cheesy ground beef and potatoes in advance?
Yes, cook it a day ahead and reheat gently, adding a splash of broth to loosen the sauce.
What cheese melts well in cheesy ground beef and potatoes?
Sharp cheddar, mozzarella, or a blend of cheeses all melt well when shredded fresh.
Can I use ground turkey?
Yes, but cook it to 165 degrees F and add a bit more oil because it is leaner.
Can I add vegetables?
Yes, corn, peas, or spinach stir in easily during the last few minutes.
Cheesy Ground Beef and Potatoes
Equipment
- Large pot with lid
- Wooden spoon
- Cutting board
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef 85 percent lean
- 3 cup white potatoes peeled and cut into small cubes
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 1 medium bell pepper chopped
- 2 cup chicken broth
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese sharp
Instructions
Cooking
- Brown. Cook the potatoes in oil until golden at the edges.
- Beef. Add the ground beef and cook until no pink remains.
- Vegetables. Stir in the onion, pepper, and spices.
- Simmer. Add the broth, cover, and cook until the potatoes are tender.
- Cheese. Stir in the cheese until melted.
