I love cooking almost as much as I love eating. But the mountain of dirty dishes afterward? That’s my personal kitchen nightmare. I’m always on the hunt for recipes that deliver incredible flavor without the cleanup dread. If you’re looking for more quick and easy meal solutions, you should definitely check out our garlic parmesan chicken skewers for another fantastic one-pan option.
That’s why this Southwest Ground Beef & Potato Bake – Cheesy & Bold is my new weeknight hero. It’s the kind of hearty, comforting meal that makes your whole house smell amazing. And the best part? You get to enjoy all that cozy goodness with minimal mess.
Imagine tender potatoes, savory ground beef, and a kick of southwest spice, all smothered in melted cheese. Now, imagine only having one pan to wash. Sounds like a dream, right? Let’s make it your reality.
Recipe Overview
Here’s the quick lowdown on what we’re making today. This is your at-a-glance guide to this simple, satisfying dinner.
- Cuisine: American Southwest
- Category: Dinner
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Servings: 6
The Magic of a One-Pot (or One-Pan) Meal
I have a serious appreciation for any recipe that respects my time and my dishwashing aversion. This dish is a masterclass in efficiency.
Everything cooks together in one single pan. The beef browns, the potatoes soften, and the cheese gets gloriously bubbly, all in the same vessel. This means maximum flavor infusion and, you guessed it, minimal cleanup.
All You Need (One Pot & These Ingredients)
Gathering your tools and ingredients is the first step to a stress-free cooking experience. You’ll be in and out of the kitchen in no time.
The key player here is a large, oven-safe skillet or a 9×13 inch baking dish. As for the ingredients, they’re simple, affordable, and pack a powerful flavor punch.
The Full Ingredient List
Here’s everything you’ll need to create this cheesy masterpiece. I love how these are mostly pantry staples.
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1.5 lbs russet potatoes, scrubbed and diced into ½-inch cubes
- 1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chilies (like Rotel), undrained
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
- 1 tbsp taco seasoning
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh cilantro or sliced green onions for garnish (optional)
PREPARATION
Follow these simple steps for a perfectly cooked bake and an easy cleanup. I’ve included my best tips for keeping things tidy along the way. For a quick energy boost while you cook, try our delicious homemade energy bites to keep you going.
Southwest Ground Beef & Potato Bake – Cheesy & Bold Recipe
The Full Ingredient List
PREPARATION
Notes
Enjoy your homemade Southwest Ground Beef & Potato Bake – Cheesy & Bold Recipe!
Nutrition Information
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This is the only waiting you’ll have to do.
- In your large oven-safe skillet, brown the ground beef and onion over medium-high heat. Break up the meat as it cooks until it’s no longer pink. This is where all the savory base flavors start.
- Drain any excess grease from the skillet. This simple step ensures your final dish isn’t greasy. See? We’re being efficient already.
- Add the minced garlic and diced potatoes to the skillet. Stir everything together and cook for about 5 minutes. You’ll start to smell the garlic becoming fragrant.
- Stir in the diced tomatoes with chilies, black beans, tomato sauce, taco seasoning, and cumin. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. The sauce will start to thicken beautifully.
- Cover the skillet and let it simmer for about 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are just tender. Give it a stir halfway through. This slow simmer is key for perfectly cooked potatoes.
- Remove the lid and stir in the frozen corn. Then, sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the entire surface.
- Carefully transfer the skillet to the preheated oven. Bake, uncovered, for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
- Remove from the oven and let it sit for 5 minutes before serving. This allows everything to set perfectly. Garnish with fresh cilantro or green onions if you like.
Pro-Tips for Perfect One-Pot Cooking
A few simple tricks can take your one-pot game from good to great. These are the little things I’ve learned from making this dish again and again.
First, make sure your potato cubes are all about the same size. This ensures they cook evenly and are all tender at the same time. No one wants a half-raw potato!
Don’t stir the mixture too much once the cheese is on top. You want that lovely, unbroken, cheesy crust to form. Let the oven do its magic.
Finally, use the right size pot or skillet. If it’s too small, the ingredients will steam instead of simmer. If it’s too large, the sauce might reduce too quickly. A 10-12 inch oven-safe skillet is absolutely ideal for this recipe.
Storing & Reheating (Easy!)
This dish makes for fantastic leftovers, which is another win for busy weeks. The flavors meld together even more overnight.
Let the bake cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, simply microwave single portions or warm the whole dish in a 350°F oven until heated through.
Nutrition Notes
While this is a comforting, hearty meal, it’s helpful to know what you’re enjoying. This is a general estimate per serving.
- Calories: ~450
- Protein: 28g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fat: 22g
- Fiber: 6g
If you love the comforting potato element in this dish, you’ll absolutely adore our traditional German kartoffelsuppe for another hearty potato-based meal.
Your One-Pot Questions, Answered
I get a few common questions about this recipe, so I’ve answered them here for you.
Can I make this with a different protein?
Absolutely! Ground turkey or chicken would be a fantastic and leaner substitute for the ground beef. The cooking method remains exactly the same.
My potatoes aren’t cooking through. What did I do wrong?
The most common culprit is cutting the potato cubes too large. Aim for a consistent ½-inch dice. Also, ensure the skillet is at a steady simmer when you cover it, as this creates the steam needed to cook them through.
Can I prepare this casserole ahead of time?
You sure can. Assemble the entire dish right up until the baking step. Cover it tightly and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready, just pop it in the oven, adding a few extra minutes to the bake time since it will be cold.
There you have it—a dinner that’s bursting with bold, cheesy, southwest flavor and designed for maximum enjoyment with minimum cleanup. It’s the ultimate solution for a hectic weeknight or a lazy weekend.
So go ahead, treat yourself to a meal that truly satisfies. Then, kick back and admire your spotless kitchen. Enjoy all that flavor (and your clean kitchen!). Let me know how it went by leaving a comment and rating below!
