Description
This comforting Cheesy Ground Beef and Potatoes recipe combines tender cubed potatoes with savory ground beef in a flavorful tomato and cream sauce, topped with melted mozzarella or cheddar cheese. Perfect for a hearty weeknight dinner, this dish is cooked entirely on the stovetop, delivering a rich and satisfying meal in just 40 minutes.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1½ lbs potatoes (any kind), cut into 1 cm or ½” cubes
- ½ medium onion, finely diced
- ½ green bell pepper, finely diced
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1½ teaspoons seasoning salt
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon ground mustard
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ¾ cup low sodium beef or chicken broth
- ½ cup tomato sauce (marinara or similar)
- ¼ cup cream (any kind)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese
Garnish
- Fresh chopped parsley or green onions
Instructions
- Heat the oil: Add the oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat, making sure the skillet has a lid that fits for later use.
- Cook potatoes: Add the cubed potatoes to the pan and cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring often, until they become lightly golden and begin to soften.
- Sauté vegetables: Add the finely diced onion and green bell pepper to the skillet and cook for 1-2 minutes until the onion is translucent.
- Brown the beef: Add the lean ground beef, cooking and stirring until fully browned. Drain any excess fat or absorb it with a paper towel.
- Add seasonings and garlic: Stir in tomato paste, minced garlic, seasoning salt, Italian seasoning, ground mustard, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cook and stir for about 1 minute to combine the flavors.
- Simmer with liquids: Pour in the low sodium broth, tomato sauce, and cream. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then cover and reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook while stirring often until the potatoes are tender, which may take some time. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Add cheese topping: Remove the skillet from heat, uncover, sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly on top, then cover just until the cheese melts.
- Garnish and serve: Garnish with fresh chopped parsley or green onions and serve hot.
Notes
- Using a skillet with a lid is essential to properly simmer and melt the cheese.
- You can substitute cream with half-and-half or milk for a lighter version.
- For extra flavor, consider adding a splash of Worcestershire sauce before simmering.
- Use low sodium broth and tomato sauce to control salt content.
- This dish reheats well and is great for leftovers.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
