This Loaded Cheeseburger Potato Skillet with Creamy Cheese Sauce is a cozy, all-in-one meal that hits comfort-food goals. Tender diced potatoes, savory browned beef, and a smooth, cheesy sauce come together in one skillet. It smells like a diner dinner and has the satisfying textures of crispy edges and creamy cheese. It’s fast to make, family-friendly, and perfect for a weeknight when you want a hearty meal with little fuss.
Recipe Information
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Difficulty Level: Easy
Nutrition Information
(approximate per serving)
- Calories per serving: 795 kcal
- Protein: 40 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fat: 49 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
Why Make This Loaded Cheeseburger Potato Skillet with Creamy Cheese Sauce
This skillet gives you cheeseburger flavor without the bun. It’s quick, hearty, and uses simple pantry ingredients. Potatoes add a soft, comforting base while the beef brings savory depth. The creamy cheese sauce binds everything together, making each bite rich and velvety. Serve it when you want an easy, crowd-pleasing meal that fills bellies and brings warm smells to the kitchen.
How to Make Loaded Cheeseburger Potato Skillet with Creamy Cheese Sauce
This recipe is one-pan friendly and breaks into four clear stages: prepare, cook the base, make the cheese sauce, and finish. Work steadily and taste as you season. The sauce is forgiving — if it gets too thick, thin with a splash of milk or broth. If you like a little crisp, let the skillet sit uncovered for a few minutes at the end.
Ingredients:
- 4 medium potatoes, diced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 cup milk
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional toppings: diced tomatoes, green onions, bacon bits
Directions:
Step 1: Preparation
Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Peel (optional) and dice the potatoes into 1/2-inch pieces so they cook evenly. Dice the onion and measure the other ingredients so everything is ready.
Step 2: Sautéing the Beef and Onion
Add the ground beef and diced onion to the skillet. Cook over medium heat, breaking the beef into small pieces, until the beef is browned and the onion is softened, about 6–8 minutes. Drain any excess fat from the skillet to keep the dish from getting greasy.
Step 3: Simmering the Potatoes
Stir the diced potatoes into the skillet with the beef. Pour in the beef broth and bring to a simmer. Cover the skillet and cook for 15–20 minutes, stirring once or twice, until the potatoes are fork-tender. If the liquid evaporates too fast, add a splash more broth or water.
Step 4: Making the Creamy Cheese Sauce
While the potatoes cook, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook 1 minute to form a roux. Slowly whisk in the milk until smooth. Continue to cook, whisking, until the mixture thickens, about 3–5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until the sauce is melted and smooth. Pour the cheese sauce over the cooked potato and beef mixture, stir to combine, and season with salt and pepper. Serve hot with optional toppings.
How to Serve Loaded Cheeseburger Potato Skillet with Creamy Cheese Sauce
Spoon into bowls and top with diced tomatoes, sliced green onions, and crispy bacon bits for color and crunch. Serve with a simple green salad or steamed vegetables to brighten the plate. For a party, set toppings in bowls and let guests customize their bowls.
How to Store Loaded Cheeseburger Potato Skillet with Creamy Cheese Sauce
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat with a splash of milk or broth to loosen the sauce.
- Freezer: Freeze in a shallow container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. Texture of potatoes may soften after freezing.
- Tip: If the cheese sauce thickens when stored, reheat slowly and add milk a little at a time to restore creaminess.
Expert Tips for Perfect Loaded Cheeseburger Potato Skillet with Creamy Cheese Sauce
- Use similar-sized potato dice so they cook evenly. Russets or Yukon Gold work well.
- Browning the beef well adds flavor. Let it develop some color before breaking it up.
- Drain excess fat so the sauce doesn’t become greasy.
- Warm the milk slightly before adding to the roux to help the sauce thicken smoothly.
- Grate your own cheddar for the best melting texture; pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can affect melt.
- Taste and season at the end. Broth and cheese carry salt, so add salt sparingly.
- For a crispy finish, place the skillet under a broiler for 2–3 minutes after adding cheese sauce (make sure your skillet is oven-safe).
Delicious Variations
- Tex-Mex: Stir in 1 tsp chili powder, 1/2 tsp cumin, substitute pepper jack for cheddar, and top with avocado and cilantro.
- Mushroom & Swiss: Replace cheddar with Swiss cheese and add sliced mushrooms sautéed with the beef.
- Lighter Version: Use lean ground turkey, low-fat milk, and 1 cup reduced-fat cheddar. Use olive oil instead of butter.
- Loaded Breakfast Skillet: Add scrambled eggs on top and swap some cheddar for shredded mozzarella.
- Veggie Boost: Add diced bell peppers and corn with the potatoes for extra color and texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use frozen diced potatoes?
A: Yes. If using frozen diced potatoes, reduce the liquid slightly and cook uncovered a bit longer, since frozen potatoes release water. Cook until they are tender and most liquid has evaporated.
Q: Can I make this ahead and reheat?
A: Yes. Store in the fridge for up to 3–4 days. Reheat slowly on the stove with a splash of milk or broth to restore sauce texture. Avoid high heat which can separate the sauce.
Q: What if my sauce is too thin or too thick?
A: Too thin: simmer it a few minutes to reduce, or add a small handful of shredded cheese to thicken. Too thick: whisk in a little warm milk or broth until you reach the desired consistency.
Q: Can I use a different cheese?
A: Absolutely. Cheddar gives a classic flavor, but Monterey Jack, Colby, pepper jack, or Swiss all work. Mix cheeses for complexity.
Q: Is there a gluten-free option?
A: Yes. Replace the flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend or use cornstarch (mix 1–1.5 tsp cornstarch with cold milk before adding) to thicken the sauce.
Q: How can I make this less salty?
A: Use low-sodium beef broth and unsalted butter, and skip adding extra table salt until the end. Taste before seasoning.
Q: Can I make this in the oven?
A: Yes. After simmering the potatoes until just tender on the stove, transfer to an oven-safe skillet, pour over the cheese sauce, top with extra cheese, and bake at 375°F (190°C) until bubbly, about 10–12 minutes.
Conclusion
This Loaded Cheeseburger Potato Skillet with Creamy Cheese Sauce is simple, satisfying, and full of comforting flavors. It’s ideal for busy weeknights, casual dinners, or when you want one-pan comfort that everyone will enjoy. For another similar take and inspiration on a loaded ground beef and potatoes skillet, check out Loaded Ground Beef and Potatoes Skillet – Kinda Healthy Recipes. Give this recipe a try — it’s warm, cheesy, and ready to become a family favorite.
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Loaded Cheeseburger Potato Skillet with Creamy Cheese Sauce
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: None
Description
A cozy, all-in-one meal featuring tender potatoes, savory ground beef, and a creamy cheese sauce, this skillet dinner is perfect for weeknights.
Ingredients
- 4 medium potatoes, diced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 cup milk
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional toppings: diced tomatoes, green onions, bacon bits
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Peel (optional) and dice the potatoes into 1/2-inch pieces. Dice the onion and measure other ingredients.
- Add ground beef and onion to the skillet. Cook until beef is browned and onion is softened, about 6-8 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
- Stir in diced potatoes and pour in beef broth. Bring to a simmer and cover. Cook for 15-20 minutes until potatoes are fork-tender.
- Meanwhile, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat, stir in flour to form a roux, then whisk in milk until smooth. Cook until thickened, about 3-5 minutes, then stir in cheddar cheese until melted and smooth. Pour over the beef and potato mixture and stir to combine. Serve hot with optional toppings.
Notes
If the cheese sauce thickens when stored, reheat slowly and add milk to restore creaminess.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 795
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 49g
- Saturated Fat: 24g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
