If you’re craving a comforting, hearty dish that brings together melting cheese, tender beef, and perfectly cooked potatoes, the Cheesy One Pot Beef and Potatoes Recipe is exactly what your dinner table needs. This meal is a celebration of simple ingredients transformed into a rich, flavorful experience, all made effortlessly in a single pot. Imagine golden potatoes infused with aromatic spices, juicy ground beef mingling with sweet peppers, and a gooey blanket of cheddar cheese that makes every bite irresistible. It’s the kind of recipe that feels like a warm hug on a plate and quickly becomes a favorite for busy weeknights or cozy weekend dinners.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Cheesy One Pot Beef and Potatoes Recipe plays an important role — from depth of flavor to texture and color. These straightforward, accessible items come together to create a dish that’s as easy to prepare as it is delicious, making it an ideal choice for home cooks of any level.
- Olive oil: Adds a mild fruitiness and helps brown the potatoes beautifully.
- Unsalted butter: Brings richness and depth, perfect for sautéing ingredients.
- Potatoes (1.8 pounds white, starchy): Give the dish substance with a fluffy texture inside and a crisp exterior when cooked.
- Romano peppers (or bell peppers): Provide a sweet, slightly smoky flavor and a pop of vibrant color.
- Lean ground beef (1.1 pounds): The hearty protein that makes this dish satisfying and filling.
- Yellow onion: Offers sweetness and an aromatic base when finely chopped.
- Garlic cloves: Deliver a subtle pungency that enhances every component.
- Sweet paprika: Infuses a smoky warmth with a hint of sweetness.
- Black pepper: Adds essential spice to balance flavors.
- Italian seasoning: Brings herbaceous notes like oregano, basil, and thyme for complexity.
- Salt: Enhances all other flavors naturally.
- Chili flakes: Introduce a touch of heat to keep things exciting.
- Double concentrated tomato paste: Thickens the sauce and adds rich umami depth.
- Chopped parsley: Freshens the dish with its bright, herbal hint and is ideal for garnishing.
- Chicken broth: Provides moist cooking liquid so potatoes get tender while blending flavors beautifully.
- Grated cheddar cheese (1 ½ cups): The gooey, cheesy crown that brings the whole plate together perfectly.
How to Make Cheesy One Pot Beef and Potatoes Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients
Before you start cooking, make sure everything is prepped: peel and slice the potatoes into thin, even slices for uniform cooking. Chop the onions and parsley finely, mince the garlic carefully, and slice the Romano peppers after removing the seeds. Having these ready saves time and keeps things flowing smoothly once you start.
Step 2: Brown the Potatoes
Heat the olive oil and butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced potatoes and let them cook undisturbed long enough to develop a golden brown crust on all sides—this usually takes about six minutes. The butter and oil combo gives the potatoes a perfect balance between crispiness and creaminess. Remove them from the skillet once browned and set aside.
Step 3: Sauté the Peppers and Ground Beef
In the same skillet, toss in the Romano peppers and cook for around three minutes until softened. Then add the ground beef, breaking it up with your spatula. Cook just until it’s beginning to brown, about two minutes. This quick cooking keeps the beef juicy and the peppers tender but still vibrant.
Step 4: Build the Flavor Base
Add the minced garlic and chopped onions next. Sauté until fragrant and soft, roughly two minutes. Then sprinkle in your spices — salt, chili flakes, black pepper, sweet paprika, and Italian seasoning — to create a fragrant, layered flavor base. Stir in the double concentrated tomato paste, which gives the entire dish a luscious richness and slight acidity that balances the beef lovingly.
Step 5: Combine Potatoes, Herbs, and Broth
Gently fold in the chopped parsley and the golden potatoes you set aside earlier. Stir just enough to combine without breaking up the potato slices. Pour in the chicken broth and cover the skillet. Let the mixture simmer for about ten minutes, allowing the potatoes to cook through and soak up all the delicious flavors in the broth.
Step 6: Melt the Cheddar Cheese
Once the potatoes are tender and the broth has mostly evaporated, remove the lid and sprinkle the grated cheddar evenly over the top. Return the lid and let the cheese melt fully into that beautiful, bubbly, golden layer. This final step turns the dish into the cheesy, comforting masterpiece it’s meant to be.
How to Serve Cheesy One Pot Beef and Potatoes Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh chopped parsley and a pinch of chili flakes on top add that extra pop of color and a little hint of heat, elevating the dish visually and flavor-wise. You want those vibrant greens to brighten the rich cheese and beef combo — it makes the dish look as inviting as it tastes.
Side Dishes
This dish shines best with a fresh, crisp side salad — think mixed greens with a lemon vinaigrette or even a simple cucumber and tomato salad. The acidity and crunch work wonderfully to balance the creamy texture and hearty flavors in the Cheesy One Pot Beef and Potatoes Recipe.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve it straight from the skillet for that rustic, communal feel. Or for a bit of fun, scoop portions into individual ramekins and broil them for a minute to get the cheese extra golden and bubbly on top. It’s a simple touch that impresses guests or adds a cozy vibe for family dinners.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, store leftovers of this Cheesy One Pot Beef and Potatoes Recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep well for 3 to 4 days, making it perfect for easy, flavorful lunches or quick dinners later in the week.
Freezing
If you want to keep it longer, this dish freezes nicely. Just portion it out into freezer-safe containers and it will hold up for up to 2 months. When you want to enjoy it again, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating to preserve the best texture and flavor.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth or water if it’s too thick. Covering the dish while reheating helps the cheese melt back into the potatoes and beef, returning it to that dreamy, comforting state.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of cheese?
Absolutely! Cheddar is classic for its melting quality and sharpness, but you can try mozzarella for a gooey stretch or Gruyere for a nutty twist. Just pick cheeses that melt well to maintain that luscious texture.
What potatoes work best for this recipe?
White, starchy potatoes are ideal because they become tender inside while getting beautifully crispy outside. Russet potatoes are a great choice, but Yukon Golds also work if you want a slightly buttery flavor.
Is it possible to make this recipe vegetarian?
Yes! Swap the ground beef for plant-based crumbles or cooked lentils, and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. The spices and cheese will still create a rich, savory dish.
How spicy is this dish?
The chili flakes add a gentle kick without overpowering; you can adjust the amount to suit your heat preference or omit them for a milder version.
Can I prepare this recipe in advance?
You can prep all the ingredients beforehand, like chopping veggies and slicing potatoes, but it’s best to cook just before serving to keep the potatoes from getting soggy and the cheese perfectly melty.
Final Thoughts
If you’re searching for a delicious, no-fuss meal that feels like home in every bite, the Cheesy One Pot Beef and Potatoes Recipe is waiting for you. It’s a fantastic way to combine simple ingredients into a magical dish bursting with flavor and comfort. Give it a try—you might just find yourself cooking this one again and again!
Print
Cheesy One Pot Beef and Potatoes Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Cheesy One Pot Beef and Potatoes recipe is a hearty, comforting dish combining tender potatoes, flavorful ground beef, and melted cheddar cheese, all cooked together in one skillet for easy preparation and minimal cleanup. Perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner, it features sweet and smoky spices, tender Romano peppers, and a rich chicken broth base, finished with fresh parsley for a burst of color and freshness.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1.8 pounds starchy white potatoes, peeled and sliced ¼ inch thick
- 2 Romano peppers, chopped (or bell peppers)
- 1.1 pounds lean ground beef
- 1 yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp chili flakes
- 2 tbsp double concentrated tomato paste
- 2 tbsp chopped parsley, plus more for serving
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 ½ cups grated cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the ingredients: Peel the potatoes, cut them lengthwise in half and slice into ¼ inch (0.5 cm) thick pieces. Finely chop the onion and parsley, mince the garlic, and cut the Romano peppers lengthwise, deseeding and slicing thinly.
- Cook the potatoes: Heat olive oil and butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced potatoes and cook for about 6 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown on all sides. Remove the potatoes from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté peppers and brown beef: In the same skillet, add the chopped Romano peppers and cook for about 3 minutes until they start to soften. Add the lean ground beef, breaking it up into pieces, and cook until it is lightly browned, about 2 minutes.
- Add aromatics and spices: Stir in minced garlic and finely chopped onion, cooking until fragrant and translucent, about 2 minutes. Season the mixture with salt, chili flakes, black pepper, sweet paprika, and Italian seasoning. Mix in the double concentrated tomato paste until evenly combined.
- Combine and simmer: Return the cooked potatoes to the skillet along with the chopped parsley. Gently stir to combine the ingredients. Pour in the chicken broth, cover the skillet with a lid, and cook for about 10 minutes until the potatoes are tender.
- Reduce broth and melt cheese: Remove the lid and continue to simmer until the chicken broth has mostly evaporated. Sprinkling the grated cheddar cheese over the top, close the lid again and allow the cheese to melt completely.
- Serve: Garnish with additional chopped parsley and chili flakes. Serve immediately while hot, ideally with a fresh side salad. Enjoy your cheesy one-pot beef and potatoes!
Notes
- Use starchy white potatoes for best texture; Yukon Gold can also work if white potatoes aren’t available.
- Adjust chili flakes to your preferred spice level.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with cooked lentils or plant-based meat alternatives.
- Covering the skillet during the simmer step is key to softening the potatoes without drying out the dish.
- Ensure the skillet is large enough to allow even cooking and space for ingredients to combine properly.
- For extra richness, use full-fat cheddar cheese.
