One-Pan Cheesy – Recipes on a Budget

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Quick, easy, and Not overly expensive. I’ve been teaching our 13 year old new easy to make recipes, tonight I taught him this one. It’s all cooked in one pan on the stove top.
1 pound ground meat, brown
12ish small potatoes, or however many you want, diced. Add to pan once meat is browned, stir occasionally until tender.
1 can cream soup, whatever kind you like
3/4 cup of milk (I was out so used water and sour cream mixed together)
Add milk and soup once potatoes are cooked.
Whatever seasoning you like then mix.
Sprinkle with cheese and Serve

One-Pan Cheesy Potato and Ground Meat Skillet

Ingredients:

1 pound ground meat (beef, turkey, or chicken)
12 small potatoes, diced
1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup (or any other cream soup you prefer)
3/4 cup milk
2 tablespoons sour cream (if you don’t have milk)
Salt and pepper to taste
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or your favorite cheese)

Instructions:

Brown the Ground Meat:
- In a large skillet, cook the ground meat over medium heat until fully browned. Break it apart with a spatula as it cooks.
Add Potatoes:
- Once the meat is browned, add the diced potatoes to the skillet. Stir occasionally and cook until the potatoes are tender and slightly browned.
Prepare the Sauce:
- In a bowl, mix the cream soup with milk. If you’re out of milk, you can use a mixture of water and sour cream.
Combine Ingredients:
- Pour the soup and milk mixture over the cooked potatoes and meat. Stir everything together until well combined.
Season:
- Season the mixture with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Adjust the seasoning according to your taste.
Simmer:
- Let the mixture simmer for a few minutes until it’s heated through and has a creamy consistency.
Cheese Topping:
- Sprinkle the shredded cheese over the top of the skillet. Cover with a lid and let it sit for a couple of minutes until the cheese melts.
Serve:
- Once the cheese is melted and bubbly, remove the skillet from heat. Serve the delicious cheesy potato and ground meat skillet hot.

This recipe is not only quick and easy but also allows for some creativity with seasoning and cheese choices. It’s a great dish for a busy night, and your 13-year-old can enjoy making it with minimal supervision.

Here’s a FAQ section for the One-Pan Cheesy Potato and Ground Meat Skillet:

Q1: Can I use a different type of meat?

A: Absolutely! You can use ground beef, turkey, chicken, or even a meat substitute like plant-based crumbles, depending on your preference.

Q2: What other cream soups can I use?

A: Feel free to experiment with different cream soups such as cream of chicken, cream of celery, or cream of broccoli based on your taste preferences.

Q3: Can I add vegetables to this skillet?

A: Yes, you can customize the recipe by adding vegetables like bell peppers, onions, or peas. Just ensure they’re diced or chopped to cook evenly with the potatoes.

Q4: Are there alternatives to potatoes?

A: Certainly! You can replace potatoes with sweet potatoes, diced butternut squash, or even cauliflower for a low-carb option.

Q5: Can I make it ahead of time?

A: While the skillet is best enjoyed fresh, you can prepare the components (brown meat, cook potatoes) ahead of time and assemble just before serving. Reheat gently to avoid overcooking.

Q6: How do I store leftovers?

A: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave, adding a bit of milk or water if it gets too thick.

Q7: Can I freeze this dish?

A: It’s not recommended to freeze this dish because the texture of potatoes can change upon thawing. However, you can freeze the browned meat or cooked potatoes separately and assemble when ready to eat.