Description
Whip up this loaded ground beef and potatoes skillet for a hearty dinner that comes together faster than you can say comfort meal. Family-favorite flavors blend perfectly in one pan, making cleanup a breeze while delivering maximum satisfaction.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 4 strips bacon
Starches:
- 20 small red or gold potatoes
Dairy and Seasonings:
- 2 cups skim milk
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon dry mustard powder
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Green onions
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat at 375°F. Crumble 1 pound of lean ground beef into the pan, cooking for 7-8 minutes until the meat turns completely brown and no pink remains.
- Add 4 chopped bacon strips directly into the skillet with the ground beef. Stir and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes until bacon becomes crisp and releases its savory fat.
- Carefully layer 20 thinly sliced small red potatoes across the meat mixture. Spread them evenly to ensure consistent cooking. Cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Pour ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce and 2 cups skim milk into the skillet. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon dry mustard powder, 1 tablespoon smoked paprika, and 1 teaspoon garlic powder over the surface.
- Gradually add 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, stirring gently to help the cheese melt smoothly into the sauce. Season with salt and pepper to your taste preference.
- Continue cooking for 2-3 minutes until the cheese completely melts and the sauce thickens. Your potatoes should be tender and fully cooked.
- Remove from heat and garnish with chopped green onions if you enjoy extra freshness. Serve the skillet directly from the pan while hot and bubbling.
Notes
- Trim excess fat from ground beef for a leaner dish that still packs plenty of flavor.
- Choose waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold for the best texture and even cooking in the skillet.
- Crisp the bacon separately if you prefer extra-crunchy bacon bits to sprinkle on top after cooking.
- Let the skillet sit for a few minutes after cooking to allow the cheese to set and flavors to meld together before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: One-Skillet
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 to 6
- Calories: 390 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg