Description
This Easy One-Pan Creamy Meat & Potato Skillet is a quick and comforting meal perfect for busy weeknights. Featuring browned ground meat cooked with diced potatoes in a creamy soup base, it delivers rich, satisfying flavors with minimal effort and cleanup. Optional additions like shredded cheese, fresh herbs, and frozen vegetables boost both nutrition and taste, making this dish a versatile family favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground meat (beef, turkey, chicken, or pork)
- 12 small potatoes, diced (about ½-inch pieces)
- 1 can cream soup (mushroom, chicken, or celery)
- ¾ cup cold milk
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Optional Additions
- Shredded cheese, as desired
- Fresh herbs, for garnish
- Frozen vegetables, for extra nutrition
Instructions
- Brown the Ground Meat: Heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground meat and cook, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon or spatula. Season generously with salt and pepper. Continue cooking until the meat is fully browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Avoid overcrowding the pan; cook in batches if necessary for better browning.
- Add the Diced Potatoes: Stir in the diced potatoes with the cooked meat. Mix well to combine and let the potatoes cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the potatoes to absorb meat flavors and start softening. Make sure potatoes are cut evenly for uniform cooking.
- Create the Creamy Base: Pour the cream soup and cold milk into the skillet. Stir thoroughly until combined into a creamy mixture. Adjust thickness by adding more milk if it’s too thick or simmer uncovered a bit longer if too thin.
- Simmer Until Potatoes are Tender: Reduce heat to medium-low and cover the skillet. Let it simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until potatoes are fork-tender. If mixture starts sticking, add a splash of milk or water and lower heat slightly.
- Add Final Touches and Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Add frozen vegetables during the last 3-4 minutes of cooking if desired. Sprinkle shredded cheese on top and let it melt. Garnish with fresh herbs and serve hot.
Notes
- Use evenly cut potatoes (about ½-inch) for even cooking.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan when browning meat to ensure better texture.
- Adjust soup and milk ratio for your preferred creaminess.
- Add frozen vegetables for a nutrition boost and color.
- Optional cheese adds richness but can be omitted for a lighter version.
- This recipe can be customized with any ground meat you prefer.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: one-pan, meat skillet, creamy meat and potatoes, quick dinner, easy weeknight meal, ground meat recipe
