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Last Updated on August 21, 2024 by Tracy
Looking for a quick and easy weeknight dinner? This One Pot Cheesy Beef and Potatoes is a hearty, one-pot meal that is ready in under an hour! Perfect for busy weeknights! While this post is sponsored by Florida Milk, my love of easy dinners, Florida Milk and this recipe are my own.
Well, my youngest started her last day of high school today. My oldest heads back to college in a few days. The thing about time, is that it just goes so fast. And the last thing you want to be doing is spending a ton of the time in the kitchen when there are memories to made.
So, while I am not the official Uber in my house anymore and I don’t have a million things to drive to and from, I 100% would rather spend my time chatting with the kids or playing a random game of Qwixx than spending a bunch of time cooking and cleaning.
And that’s just one of the reasons why I love this one pot meal! A few more reasons are: it’s hearty, it’s comforting, it’s loaded with nutrients thanks to the veggies and Florida milk, and don’t forget it’s a good source of protein. Hello One Pot Cheesy Beef and Potatoes.
Main Ingredients
- Cheese – there is the word Cheesy in the title 😉
- Beef – of course
- Potatoes – yep!
- Florida Milk
- Fresh veggies – I used a combination of onion, bell pepper, jalapeno pepper, mushrooms and garlic
- Seasonings
- Tomato paste
While everything does cook in the same pot, it does take a little time for everything to cook to perfection. So, don’t try to rush it!
Can you customize the ingredients?
Yes! I recommend looking through your produce drawer in the refrigerator to see if there is anything that you should use up too.
Protein Swap and/or Additions
Ground chicken or ground turkey: While I used lean ground beef, you can lighten this dish up by switching to ground turkey or chicken. Both work well and bring a slightly different flavor profile to the dish.
Sausage: Add a bit of spice or smoky flavor by using ground sausage.
Bacon: Cook and crumble some bacon to sprinkle on top before serving for an extra layer of flavor. Plus, who doesn’t love bacon?!
Plant-Based Protein: Use plant-based ground meat for a vegetarian or vegan option.
Vegetable Variations and/or Additions
Zucchini or Squash: Add sliced zucchini or yellow squash for extra veggies.
Spinach or Kale: Stir in some fresh spinach or kale during the last few minutes of cooking for a nutrient boost.
Carrots: Thinly sliced or diced carrots can add a touch of sweetness and extra nutrition.
Beans: Add a can of drained black beans or kidney beans for extra protein and fiber.
Corn: Toss in some corn kernels for a touch of sweetness and a pop of color.
Sweet Potatoes: Swap out the white potatoes for sweetpotatoes.
Why my family loves this One Pot Cheesy Beef and Potatoes recipe
One-Pan Wonder: This recipe is cooked in just one pan, which means fewer dishes to clean up afterward.
Hearty and Filling: The combination of ground beef and potatoes makes this a filling meal. Potatoes are a great source of carbohydrates, providing the energy you and your kids need to power through the evening.
Easily Customizable: This dinner is incredibly versatile. You can easily adjust this recipe to suit your family’s tastes or what you have on hand.
Cooking Tips
Be sure to do your prep work ahead of time. Slice the potatoes, chop the veggies, and have everything ready to go before you start cooking. It’ll make the cooking process a lot easier, trust me! I left the skin on my potatoes, feel free to peel them if you prefer.
If you’re short on time, consider microwaving the potatoes briefly.
If you find the dish has too much liquid at the end, remove the lid for the last few minutes of cooking to let some of it evaporate. This will help thicken the sauce and concentrate the flavors.
Got leftovers? Store them in an airtight container for a few days!
Alright, are you all ready to make my One Pot Cheesy Beef and Potatoes? Let’s do it!
One Pot Cheesy Beef and Potatoes
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp salted butter
- 2-2 ½ lbs potatoes I used russet – approx 5-6 medium-sized potatoes
- 1 ¼ lbs lean ground beef
- 1 bell pepper chopped – I used red for the pop of color
- 1 jalapeno chopped
- 1 sweet onion chopped
- 4 oz mushrooms chopped – I used the gourmet blend
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tbsp your favorite all purpose seasoning I used DUST by VooDoo Chef
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 cups whole Florida Milk
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- chopped parsley for garnish if desired
Instructions
- Cut the potatoes lengthwise in half and slice into ¼ inch thick slices.
- Heat butter in a dutch oven or large non-stick skillet over medium high. Add potatoes and cook for about 8 minutes, until they just start to get tender. Stir frequently. Remove from the dutch oven/skillet and set aside.
- To the same dutch oven, add peppers and onions and cook for 3 minutes until they start to soften.
- Add ground beef, and cook until slightly browned.
- Add garlic, mushrooms, seasoning and tomato paste. Stir well.
- Add the sliced potatoes, stir gently until combined.
- Pour in whole milk, cover with lid and cook for about 15-20 minutes until the potatoes are tender. *If it appears to have too much liquid, leave the lid off for another 5 minutes to allow it to evaporate some.
- When ready, sprinkle cheddar on top and toss in the broiler for a minute or two to get that nice cheesy topping.
- Top with parsley if desired.
- Serve with a big glass of Florida Milk and a simple side salad.
- Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Be sure to check out Florida Milk for more dairy-licious recipes and follow on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.
And while you are at it, check out all the recipes on Food Wine Sunshine and follow on me Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram for more FOOD WINE AND SUNSHINE.
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