These golden potato pancakes stuffed with savory beef and melty cheese turn simple ingredients into a warm, satisfying bite. The outside crisps to a deep golden brown while the inside stays soft and full of savory beef and stretchy cheese. They smell like home and taste rich, salty, and comforting. Serve them for dinner, a snack, or a fun party finger food.
Recipe Information
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Difficulty Level: Medium
Nutrition Information
Approximate per serving (based on 4 servings):
- Calories per serving: 625 kcal
- Protein: 28 g
- Carbohydrates: 62 g
- Fat: 31 g
- Fiber: 3.5 g
- Sugar: 2.5 g
- Sodium: 360 mg
Why Make This Golden Potato Pancakes Stuffed with Savory Beef and Melty Cheese
These stuffed potato pancakes are a tasty twist on a classic. They give you a crispy, golden shell and a warm, savory center of seasoned beef and melted cheese. They are filling, crowd-pleasing, and perfect when you want comfort food with a little flair. The mix of textures — crunchy outside, soft potato, and gooey cheese — makes every bite irresistible.
How to Make Golden Potato Pancakes Stuffed with Savory Beef and Melty Cheese
You will grate potatoes, mix a simple batter, form filled patties, and fry them until golden. Work with dry potatoes so the pancakes crisp well. Chill the formed pancakes briefly before frying to help them hold their shape. Fry in medium heat so they cook through without burning outside.
Ingredients:
- 4 large potatoes, peeled and grated
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 cup cooked ground beef
- 1 cup shredded cheese (e.g., cheese of choice)
- 1 egg
- 1 cup flour
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Oil for frying
Directions:
Step 1: Preparation
In a bowl, mix the grated potatoes, chopped onion, egg, flour, salt, and pepper to form the batter.
Tip: After grating, squeeze the potatoes in a clean kitchen towel to remove excess moisture. Drier potatoes give a crisper pancake.
Step 2: Mixing
Preheat oil in a frying pan over medium heat.
Tip: Use a neutral oil with a high smoke point (vegetable, canola, or light olive oil). The oil should shimmer but not smoke.
Step 3: Cooking
Take a portion of the potato mixture, flatten it in your hand, add a spoonful of ground beef and cheese in the center, and fold the potato mixture over to seal.
Tip: Press the edges well to seal. Chill formed patties on a tray for 10 minutes to help them hold shape when frying.
Step 4: Finishing
Place the stuffed pancake in the hot oil and fry until golden brown on both sides.
Remove and drain on paper towels. Serve warm.
Tip: Fry in batches and avoid crowding the pan. Cook 3–4 minutes per side or until deep golden and cooked through.
How to Serve Golden Potato Pancakes Stuffed with Savory Beef and Melty Cheese
Serve hot so the cheese is gooey. These pair well with:
- A simple green salad or quick slaw to cut the richness.
- Sour cream, yogurt mixed with chopped chives, or a spicy ketchup for dipping.
- Pickles or sliced cucumbers for a fresh bite.
For parties, make small bite-sized pancakes and serve on a platter with toothpicks.
How to Store Golden Potato Pancakes Stuffed with Savory Beef and Melty Cheese
- Refrigerator: Cool completely, place in an airtight container, and store up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet or oven to keep them crisp.
- Freezer: Freeze on a tray until firm, then transfer to a freezer bag. Freeze up to 2 months. Reheat from frozen in a 375°F (190°C) oven for 15–20 minutes or until hot and crisp.
Avoid microwaving if you want to keep the outside crisp; use oven or skillet reheating instead.
Expert Tips for Perfect Golden Potato Pancakes Stuffed with Savory Beef and Melty Cheese
- Dry the potatoes well: Excess water makes batter soggy. Squeeze tightly in a towel.
- Season the beef: Add a little salt, pepper, and smoked paprika or garlic to the cooked beef for deeper flavor.
- Don’t overfill: A tablespoon of filling is enough. Overfilling makes sealing hard.
- Test one first: Fry a small pancake to check seasoning and frying time before cooking the whole batch.
- Control oil temp: Medium heat ensures a golden crust without burning. Adjust heat between batches.
- Use fresh grated vs. riced: Grated gives more texture; riced will be smoother and denser.
- Chill formed pancakes: This helps them hold together in the pan.
Delicious Variations
- Vegetarian: Swap ground beef for sautéed mushrooms and cooked lentils with soy sauce for a savory filling.
- Spicy: Mix chopped jalapeños or chili flakes into the beef, or serve with a spicy aioli.
- Herby: Add chopped parsley, dill, or green onions to the potato batter for brightness.
- Cheese swaps: Try mozzarella for stretch, pepper jack for heat, or feta for tang.
- Oven-baked: Brush patties with oil and bake at 425°F (220°C) for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway, for a lighter version.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I make the patties ahead of time?
A: Yes. Form the stuffed patties and chill on a tray for up to 24 hours before frying. Keep them covered in the fridge. You can also freeze them raw on a tray, then bag them once solid.
Q: How do I prevent the pancakes from falling apart?
A: Squeeze out potato moisture, don’t overfill, press the edges firmly to seal, and chill the patties for 10–15 minutes before frying. Use medium heat and handle gently when flipping.
Q: Can I bake these instead of frying?
A: Yes. Brush or spray with oil and bake at 425°F (220°C) for 20–25 minutes, flipping once. Baking gives a crisper edge than microwave reheating but is less oily than frying.
Q: What is the best oil to use for frying?
A: Use a neutral oil with a high smoke point like vegetable, canola, or light sunflower oil. These give even browning without strong flavor.
Q: Can I use leftover mashed potatoes?
A: Mashed potatoes behave differently because they already contain moisture and may need extra flour or an egg to bind. Grated raw potatoes give the best crisp texture and structure.
Q: How do I reheat leftovers so they stay crispy?
A: Reheat on a skillet over medium heat with a small splash of oil, or in a 375°F (190°C) oven for 8–12 minutes. Avoid the microwave unless texture isn’t important.
Q: Are there lighter ingredient swaps?
A: Use lean ground turkey or chicken, reduce cheese, or bake instead of frying. You can also use whole wheat flour for extra fiber.
Conclusion
These golden potato pancakes stuffed with savory beef and melty cheese are a cozy, flavorful dish that everyone will love. They crisp up beautifully, smell like comfort, and hold a warm, cheesy center that’s pure joy to bite into. If you want more ideas for similar recipes or a step-by-step photo guide, check out this helpful recipe: Potato Pancakes With Meat Filling – Olga’s Flavor Factory. Give these a try — they make weeknights easier and parties tastier. Enjoy!
Print
Golden Potato Pancakes Stuffed with Savory Beef and Melty Cheese
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: None
Description
These golden potato pancakes are filled with savory beef and melty cheese, providing a warm, satisfying bite with a crispy exterior and soft interior.
Ingredients
- 4 large potatoes, peeled and grated
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 cup cooked ground beef
- 1 cup shredded cheese (e.g., cheese of choice)
- 1 egg
- 1 cup flour
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Oil for frying
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix the grated potatoes, chopped onion, egg, flour, salt, and pepper to form the batter. After grating, squeeze the potatoes in a clean kitchen towel to remove excess moisture.
- Preheat oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Use a neutral oil with a high smoke point.
- Take a portion of the potato mixture, flatten it in your hand, add a spoonful of ground beef and cheese in the center, and fold the potato mixture over to seal. Chill formed patties on a tray for 10 minutes.
- Place the stuffed pancake in the hot oil and fry until golden brown on both sides. Remove and drain on paper towels. Serve warm.
Notes
Serve hot with a simple green salad or dipping sauces like sour cream or spicy ketchup. For parties, consider making bite-sized versions.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Comfort Food
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 625
- Sugar: 2.5g
- Sodium: 360mg
- Fat: 31g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 21g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 62g
- Fiber: 3.5g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
