Description
This Easy One-Pan Creamy Meat & Potato Skillet is a quick and comforting meal perfect for busy weeknights. Combining ground meat, diced potatoes, and a creamy soup base, it delivers rich flavors and hearty satisfaction with minimal prep and cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound ground meat (beef, turkey, chicken, or pork)
- 12 small potatoes, diced (about ½-inch pieces)
- Optional: frozen vegetables (added in last minutes of cooking)
Creamy Base & Seasoning
- 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
- Optional garnish: fresh herbs
Instructions
- Brown the Ground Meat: Heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground meat, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon or spatula. Season generously with salt and pepper. Cook until 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. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to let the potatoes absorb flavor and begin softening. Ensure potatoes are cut uniformly for even cooking.
- Create the Creamy Base: Stir in the cream soup and cold milk until well combined. Adjust consistency if needed by adding a bit more milk or letting it simmer uncovered to thicken.
- Simmer Until Potatoes are Tender: Reduce heat to medium-low, cover the skillet, and simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Test potatoes for tenderness with a fork. Add a splash of milk or water and lower heat if the mixture sticks to the pan.
- Add Final Touches and Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning. Add shredded cheese on top and allow it to melt. If using, add frozen vegetables during the last 3-4 minutes of cooking. Garnish with fresh herbs and serve hot.
Notes
- Use uniform potato pieces (~½ inch) for even and quicker cooking.
- Do not overcrowd the skillet when browning the meat to get the best texture.
- If the creamy mixture is too thick or sticks, add milk or water to loosen.
- Add frozen vegetables towards the end to preserve texture and nutrition.
- This recipe is flexible with meat choices: beef, turkey, chicken, or pork all work well.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: one-pan skillet, creamy meat and potatoes, quick dinner, ground meat casserole, easy weeknight meal
