Creamy One-Pan Meat and Potato Skillet Recipe
This Easy One-Pan Creamy Meat & Potato Skillet is a quick and satisfying meal perfect for busy weeknights. Featuring ground meat, diced potatoes, and a creamy soup base, it blends simple ingredients into a rich, comforting dish that can be customized with cheese, fresh herbs, or frozen vegetables for added flavor and nutrition.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
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 break it apart with a wooden spoon or spatula. Season generously with salt and pepper. Cook until fully browned and cooked through, approximately 5-7 minutes. Avoid overcrowding the pan to ensure good browning—cook in batches if necessary.
- Add the Diced Potatoes: Add diced potatoes to the skillet with the browned meat, stirring well to combine. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, allowing the potatoes to absorb the meat flavors and begin softening. Make sure potatoes are cut uniformly (around ½-inch) for even cooking.
- Create the Creamy Base: Pour the canned cream soup and cold milk into the skillet. Stir the mixture until well combined, aiming for a creamy consistency. If too thick, add a little more milk; if too thin, allow it to simmer uncovered a few extra minutes to thicken.
- Simmer Until Potatoes are Tender: Reduce heat to medium-low, cover the skillet, and simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Potatoes should be fork-tender at the end. Add a splash of milk or water and reduce heat if the mixture starts sticking to the pan.
- Add Final Touches and Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. If using, sprinkle shredded cheese over the top and allow it to melt. Add any frozen vegetables during the last 3-4 minutes of cooking. Garnish with fresh herbs before serving hot.
Notes
- For best potato results, cut pieces uniformly to ensure even cooking.
- Use a large skillet or Dutch oven to prevent overcrowding and promote proper browning.
- Add frozen vegetables in the last few minutes to retain texture and nutrition.
- Adjust milk quantity to control sauce thickness to your preference.
- This recipe can be easily customized with different ground meats and cream soups.
Keywords: one-pan meal, creamy skillet, ground meat recipe, meat and potatoes, easy dinner, quick weeknight meal, comfort food
