If you’re looking for an easy dinner that uses simple ingredients without spending a fortune, this Cheesy Taco Potato Skillet is exactly what you need! Crispy golden potatoes, seasoned ground beef, diced tomatoes with green chilies, and plenty of melted cheddar cheese come together in one skillet for a hearty, family-friendly meal.
It’s everything you love about taco night with a cozy, cheesy potato twist! Best of all, this budget-friendly ground beef dinner uses affordable ingredients you can find at Aldi and comes together in about 40 minutes.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Budget-friendly: Made with affordable ingredients like ground beef, potatoes, and shredded cheese.
- One-pan dinner: Everything cooks in one skillet, making cleanup easy.
- Family-friendly: All the delicious flavors of tacos without needing tortillas.
- Easy to customize: Add your favorite taco toppings or use whatever you already have in the refrigerator.
- Perfect for busy weeknights: A hearty, comforting dinner ready in about 40 minutes.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ground Beef: One pound of ground beef adds plenty of protein and flavor. You can also use ground turkey.
Russet Potatoes: Affordable, filling, and perfect for getting those golden, crispy edges. Cut them into small, even cubes so they cook quickly.
Yellow Onion: Adds savory flavor to the ground beef and potatoes.
Garlic: Fresh minced garlic brings everything together.
Taco Seasoning: One packet makes this recipe quick and easy without measuring out a bunch of individual spices.
Rotel: Diced tomatoes with green chilies add flavor, moisture, and a little kick. Use the mild version for a less spicy dinner.
Beef Broth: Helps soften the potatoes and brings the taco flavors together.
Cheddar Cheese: Melts over the top for that delicious, cheesy finish.
Olive Oil: Helps the potatoes become golden and crispy.
How to Make Cheesy Taco Potato Skillet
Step 1: Cook the Potatoes
Wash, peel if desired, and cut the potatoes into small ½-inch cubes.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the potatoes in an even layer and cook for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden on the outside and beginning to soften.
If the potatoes are browning too quickly, reduce the heat slightly.
Step 2: Brown the Ground Beef
Push the potatoes to one side of the skillet and add the ground beef and diced onion.
Cook for 5–7 minutes, breaking apart the beef, until browned and the onion has softened.
Drain excess grease if needed.
Step 3: Add the Seasonings
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
Add the taco seasoning and stir until the beef and potatoes are evenly coated.
Step 4: Add the Rotel and Broth
Pour in the undrained Rotel and beef broth.
Stir everything together, cover, and reduce the heat to medium-low.
Cook for another 8–10 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender. Stir occasionally and add a splash of water if needed.
Step 5: Make It Cheesy!
Once the potatoes are tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the skillet.
Cover for 2–3 minutes until the cheese is completely melted.
Step 6: Serve
Remove from the heat and serve warm with your favorite taco toppings!
Tips for the Best Taco Potato Skillet
Cut the potatoes small. Keeping the potatoes around ½ inch helps them cook quickly and evenly.
Don’t stir too often. Letting the potatoes sit against the hot skillet helps create those golden edges.
Use mild Rotel for kids. The mild version adds plenty of flavor without too much heat.
Make sure the potatoes are tender before adding cheese. Once the cheese melts, you want everything ready to serve!
Use what you have. Ground turkey, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican cheese blend can all be substituted.
Add extra vegetables. Bell peppers, corn, or black beans are delicious additions if you have them on hand.
What to Serve With Cheesy Taco Potato Skillet
This skillet is hearty enough to serve on its own, but you can also add a simple side salad, steamed vegetables, corn, or tortilla chips.
For toppings, try sour cream, green onions, sliced jalapeños, salsa, or crushed tortilla chips.
How to Store and Reheat
Allow leftovers to cool and refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days.
Reheat in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of water or broth until heated through. You can also microwave individual portions.
For the best texture, I recommend enjoying this recipe fresh or refrigerated rather than freezing it, since potatoes can become softer after thawing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen diced potatoes?
Yes! Frozen diced potatoes can work well in this recipe. Cooking times may vary depending on the size of the potatoes.
Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef?
Absolutely! Ground turkey is an easy substitute. You may need a little extra oil since it’s typically leaner than ground beef.
Is Cheesy Taco Potato Skillet spicy?
It’s generally mild to medium depending on the taco seasoning and Rotel you use. Choose mild Rotel to make it more family-friendly.
Do I need to boil the potatoes first?
No! Cutting the potatoes into small cubes allows them to cook directly in the skillet.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes! You can cook the skillet ahead of time and reheat it when you’re ready to serve. For the best texture, add a little fresh cheese when reheating.
Cheesy Taco Potato Skillet
Description
This Cheesy Taco Potato Skillet is an easy one-pan dinner with seasoned ground beef, golden potatoes, Rotel, and melted cheddar. Budget-friendly and delicious!
Ingredients
Instructions
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Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced potatoes and cook for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and beginning to soften.
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Push potatoes to one side. Add ground beef and onion, cooking for 5–7 minutes until beef is browned. Drain excess grease if needed.
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Stir in garlic and taco seasoning. Cook for 30 seconds.
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Add undrained Rotel and beef broth. Stir, cover, and simmer over medium-low heat for 8–10 minutes or until potatoes are fork-tender.
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Sprinkle cheddar cheese over the skillet, cover, and cook for 2–3 minutes until melted.
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Serve warm with your favorite taco toppings.
Note
- Cut potatoes into small, even cubes for faster cooking.
- Use mild Rotel for a less spicy, family-friendly version.
- Substitute ground turkey or a Mexican cheese blend if desired.
- Add a splash of broth if the potatoes need more time to soften.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
