One-Pan Easy Dinner

Our family turns to this one-pan dinner on those crazy weeknights when we need something filling without any hassle. You'll whip up a complete meal in a single skillet that brings together juicy ground meat, soft potatoes, and a velvety sauce that ties all the flavors together wonderfully.

My kiddo and I first threw this together when he wanted to cook something by himself. Seeing how proud he was serving it to everyone made this dish a regular part of our dinner lineup.

Ingredients

• Ground meat: one pound. Go with beef for rich taste or turkey if you want something lighter. Try to get 80/20 beef for the best flavor mix
• Small potatoes: about twelve cut into chunks. Yukon golds have that nice buttery feel that works really well here
• Cream soup: one can. Mushroom brings some earthiness while chicken keeps things kid-friendly
• Milk: three quarters cup. Whole milk makes the creamiest sauce but whatever you've got works fine
• Cheese: shredded to taste. Sharp cheddar gets all gooey and adds the perfect finishing touch
• Seasonings: to taste. A bit of black pepper, some garlic powder and a little thyme really bring out the flavors

Step-by-Step Instructions

Brown the Meat:

Toss ground meat into a big skillet over medium heat and cook until it's no longer pink, around 5 to 7 minutes. Use a wooden spoon to break it into smaller bits for even cooking. This gives the whole dish its tasty foundation.

Add the Potatoes:

After the meat looks done, toss in your diced potatoes and mix them around to get coated in those meat juices. Put the lid on and let them cook about 15 minutes, giving them a stir now and then until they're soft enough to poke with a fork. They'll soak up all that meaty goodness.

Create the Creamy Sauce:

Dump in your cream soup and milk, then stir everything until you've got a smooth sauce coating all the bits. Turn the heat down to medium low and let it bubble gently for about 5 minutes until it thickens up a bit.

Season and Finish:

Sprinkle in whatever seasonings you like, giving it a taste as you go. Then scatter plenty of shredded cheese on top and cover it just long enough for the cheese to melt, about 2 minutes. The warmth from the dish will melt the cheese just right.

Potatoes really do the heavy lifting in this meal. My grandma always told me that potatoes will soak up whatever flavors you cook them with, making them perfect for simple, cozy meals. I think of her practical kitchen wisdom every time I make this.

Smart Swaps

One night when we were out of milk, I mixed some water with sour cream instead and found it made an even richer sauce with a nice zing to it. Greek yogurt works great too if you want more protein. That's what I love about this meal—you can always switch things up.

Storing Leftovers

This skillet dinner actually tastes better the next day after all the flavors have had time to mix together. Just pop it in a sealed container in the fridge for up to three days. When you reheat it, add a splash of milk to freshen up the sauce. The potatoes stay surprisingly firm.

Make It Your Own

Think of this recipe as a starting point you can play with. Throw in some frozen peas or corn at the end for color and extra nutrients. Adding cooked mushrooms gives it amazing depth, while chopped bell peppers bring a sweet crunch. My family goes crazy when I add a bit of smoked paprika and serve it with crusty bread for soaking up the sauce.

Teaching Moment

This dish is perfect for showing kids how to build flavors, add ingredients in the right order, and season food properly. My son figured out important stuff like how to tell when potatoes are done and how to adjust spices to get things tasting just right. Start them off with easy jobs and let them do more as they get comfortable.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Is swapping the ground meat possible?

Definitely! Replace ground meat with turkey, chicken, pork, or plant-based options to match your diet or taste.

→ Which potatoes work best for this?

Baby reds or gold potatoes are great, but any type works if you dice them evenly for even cooking.

→ Can I replace milk with another liquid?

Sure! Use broth, water, or a milk alternative. Add some sour cream for an extra creamy finish if you'd like.

→ Any tips to spice up the flavor?

Add what you love! Garlic powder, paprika, Italian herbs, or hot sauce are great choices to give the dish more personality.

→ What cheese should I use on top?

Cheddar is a favorite, but mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or your go-to melting cheese will work too.