This One-Pan Ground Meat & Potato Skillet is the ultimate beginner-friendly recipe—perfect for teaching your 13-year-old how to cook! It’s quick, easy, and doesn’t require a lot of fancy ingredients or equipment. Plus, it’s all cooked in a single pan, so cleanup is a breeze! This hearty dish is packed with flavor from the ground meat, tender potatoes, and creamy soup base, making it a satisfying meal everyone will love.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground meat: Choose any ground meat you like (ground beef, turkey, chicken, or pork). If you want to cut down on fat, ground turkey or chicken are great lean options.
- 12 small potatoes, diced: You can adjust the number of potatoes based on how much you want. The potatoes should be small enough to cook quickly and evenly, and you can use any type you like (Russet, Yukon Gold, or red potatoes work best).
- 1 can of cream soup (any kind you like): You can use cream of chicken, cream of mushroom, or even cream of celery. This will create a creamy, savory base for the dish.
- 3/4 cup of milk: If you’re out of milk, you can substitute with a combination of water and sour cream (about 1/2 cup water and 2 tablespoons sour cream). This gives it a tangy creaminess that works perfectly.
- Seasonings of your choice: Salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and dried herbs like thyme or parsley all work well here. The seasonings are up to you—feel free to experiment!
- Shredded cheese: Cheddar is a classic choice, but you can use mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or any cheese that melts well.
Instructions:
1. Brown the Ground Meat:
- Heat a large skillet or pan over medium-high heat and add the ground meat. If you’re using beef, be sure to break it up into small pieces as it cooks. Stir occasionally to ensure even cooking and to prevent any clumps from forming.
- Cook the meat for 5-7 minutes, or until it’s fully browned and cooked through. Once the meat is done, drain any excess fat from the pan, especially if you’re using beef or pork. Transfer the cooked meat to a bowl and set it aside.
2. Cook the Potatoes:
- In the same pan, add the diced potatoes. You don’t need to add extra oil since there should still be a little fat left from the ground meat. Stir the potatoes to coat them in the flavorful drippings left in the pan.
- Cook the potatoes for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally to make sure they cook evenly. The goal is to get the potatoes golden brown on the edges and fork-tender. Depending on how small you’ve diced the potatoes, this can take a little more or less time. If needed, cover the pan to help the potatoes cook faster.
3. Add the Cream Soup and Milk:
- Once the potatoes are cooked and tender, add the can of cream soup (whether it’s cream of mushroom, chicken, or another variety) and 3/4 cup of milk to the pan. Stir everything together to create a creamy sauce that coats the potatoes and meat.
- If you’re using the water and sour cream mixture instead of milk, simply combine those two ingredients in a small bowl and then add to the pan with the cream soup.
- Stir everything together until it’s evenly combined. You want the cream soup and milk to make a nice creamy coating over the potatoes and meat.
4. Season the Dish:
- Season to taste with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and any other seasonings you like. If you’re using paprika, it will give the dish a nice smoky flavor, while dried herbs like thyme or parsley add a pop of freshness.
- Stir everything together and let it simmer on low for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
5. Add the Cheese:
- Sprinkle shredded cheese (about 1 to 1 1/2 cups) on top of the dish. Cheddar cheese is great for its meltiness and sharp flavor, but feel free to use mozzarella or a cheese blend.
- Let the cheese melt into the dish for 2-3 minutes. The heat from the pan will melt the cheese into a creamy, cheesy layer on top.
6. Serve and Enjoy!
- Once the cheese has melted and everything is well combined, the dish is ready to serve. Spoon the One-Pan Ground Meat & Potato Skillet onto plates or into bowls. It’s a hearty, comforting meal that’s perfect for a busy weeknight!
Why This Recipe is Perfect for Teaching Young Cooks:
- Simple and Straightforward: This recipe doesn’t involve any complicated techniques—just browning meat, sautéing potatoes, and mixing in a few ingredients. It’s a great introduction to cooking!
- One-Pan Wonder: Everything is cooked in a single pan, which makes it super easy for beginners. Plus, there’s minimal cleanup afterward.
- Flexible and Customizable: This dish can be adapted to whatever ingredients you have on hand. If you don’t have potatoes, you could use frozen hashbrowns or even rice. The meat can be swapped for turkey, chicken, or even sausage for extra flavor.
- Quick: It comes together in less than 30 minutes, making it a perfect dish to cook when you’re short on time but want something filling and comforting.
- Teaches Meal Planning: This recipe is a great way for young cooks to learn how to use pantry staples (like cream soup and shredded cheese) and incorporate fresh ingredients like potatoes and onions into a meal.
Pro Tips for Success:
- Potato Tips: Dice the potatoes into small, even cubes so they cook evenly. If you want to speed up the cooking process, you can microwave the potatoes for a few minutes before adding them to the pan.
- Spice It Up: If your young cook loves a bit of spice, add some chili powder, red pepper flakes, or hot sauce to give the dish some heat.
- Vegetable Add-ins: For a healthier twist, add some frozen veggies like peas, carrots, or green beans when you add the soup and milk. It’s an easy way to sneak in more nutrients.
Why This Dish is So Good:
- Comforting & Hearty: The combination of ground meat, tender potatoes, and creamy soup is comforting and satisfying, just like a casserole—but it’s quicker and easier.
- Cheesy Goodness: The melted cheese on top takes this dish to the next level, adding richness and flavor that everyone loves.
- Perfect for Picky Eaters: This meal has a simple, delicious flavor that will appeal to both kids and adults. It’s great for picky eaters since it’s not overly complicated or full of unfamiliar ingredients.
This One-Pan Ground Meat & Potato Skillet is a go-to recipe that will help build cooking confidence in your young chef, while also providing a filling, delicious meal for the whole family. Enjoy making this together! 🍽️