What’s better than a home-cooked meal? A home-cooked meal with only ONE pot to clean! I love eating delicious food, but my least favorite part is always the mountain of dishes left behind.
That’s why I’m obsessed with my Smoky Chipotle Ground Beef & Potato Casserole. It’s the ultimate solution for a busy weeknight. You get a hearty, flavor-packed dinner without the sink full of pans. If you love this style of meal, you must try my Ultimate Ground Beef & Potato Casserole for another classic take on comfort food.
This recipe is a true hero for anyone who wants a satisfying meal fast. It combines classic comfort food with a spicy kick, all cooked in a single vessel. Let’s dig into how you can make dinner magic with minimal mess.
Recipe Overview
Here’s the quick snapshot of what you’re making. It’s straightforward and designed for efficiency.
- Cuisine: American (Southwest-inspired)
- Category: Dinner, Casserole
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Servings: 4-6 people
The Magic of a One-Pot (or One-Pan) Meal
I have a simple kitchen philosophy: fewer dishes equals more happiness. This recipe lives by that rule.
Everything—the beef, potatoes, sauce—comes together in one deep skillet or casserole dish. You brown, you layer, you bake. The flavors meld beautifully in the oven while you set the table. Or, let’s be real, you finally sit down for a minute.
The cleanup is a dream. One pot, maybe a cutting board, and you’re done. It makes enjoying a home-cooked meal feel easy, not like a chore.
All You Need (One Pot & These Ingredients)
Gathering your gear is simple. You’ll need one large, oven-safe skillet or a Dutch oven. A 10 to 12-inch size is perfect.
If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, you can brown everything in a regular pan. Then, just transfer it all to a standard 9×13 casserole dish to bake. The ingredients are mostly pantry staples with a couple of flavor power-ups.
Smoky Chipotle Ground Beef & Potato Casserole Recipe
The Full Ingredient List
My “Less Mess” Cooking Method (Step-by-Step)
Notes
Enjoy your homemade Smoky Chipotle Ground Beef & Potato Casserole Recipe!
Nutrition Information
The star here is the chipotle. It brings that deep, smoky heat that makes this dish special. Don’t worry, we’ll control the spice level. For a rich, buttery variation on this theme, my Garlic Butter Ground Beef & Potato Casserole is a must-try.
The Full Ingredient List
- 1 lb lean ground beef (85/15 or 90/10 works great)
- 1.5 lbs russet potatoes, scrubbed and diced into 1/2-inch cubes
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1-2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, finely minced (start with 1 for mild heat)
- 1 tablespoon adobo sauce (from the can)
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1.5 cups shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
- Fresh cilantro or green onions for garnish (optional)
My “Less Mess” Cooking Method (Step-by-Step)
Follow these steps for a smooth process. I’ve included my tricks to keep splatter and extra bowls to a minimum.
- Prep First: Dice your potatoes and onion. Mince the garlic and chipotle pepper. Doing this first (mise en place) makes the cooking flow fast and keeps you organized.
- Brown the Beef: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In your large oven-safe skillet, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat. Break it up with a spoon until no pink remains. Use a slotted spoon to remove the beef to a plate, leaving the drippings behind. This adds flavor for the next step.
- Cook the Aromatics: In the same pot, add the diced onion to the beef drippings. Cook for 4-5 minutes until soft. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
- Build the Sauce: Stir in the tomato sauce, beef broth, minced chipotle pepper, adobo sauce, cumin, smoked paprika, and oregano. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan—that’s pure flavor! Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Combine and Top: Add the diced potatoes and the cooked ground beef back into the skillet. Stir everything to coat in the sauce. Bring it to a gentle simmer. Cover the skillet with a lid or foil and carefully transfer it to the preheated oven.
- Bake and Cheese: Bake covered for 30 minutes. Then, remove the cover, give it a gentle stir, and sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top. Bake uncovered for another 10-15 minutes, until the potatoes are tender and the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Rest and Serve: Let the casserole sit for 5-10 minutes after pulling it from the oven. This helps it set and makes serving easier. Garnish with fresh cilantro or green onions if you like.
Pro-Tips for Perfect One-Pot Cooking
These little hints will boost your results and keep things simple.
Dice Evenly: Try to cut your potato cubes the same size. This makes sure they all cook through at the same rate. No one wants a crunchy potato next to a mushy one.
Control the Heat: Chipotle peppers can vary in spiciness. Always start with one pepper. You can add more later, but you can’t take it out! The adobo sauce adds more smoky flavor than heat.
Don’t Stir Too Much: Once it’s in the oven, resist the urge to open the lid and stir. Let the heat do its work. You only need to stir once, halfway through, before adding the cheese.
Use the Right Pot: Make sure your skillet is deep enough. The liquid will bubble as it bakes. A 3-inch deep skillet or Dutch oven is ideal to prevent any spills in your oven.
Storing & Reheating (Easy!)
This casserole is fantastic for leftovers. The flavors get even better the next day.
Let it cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat, you can use the microwave for a single portion. For the best texture, reheat larger portions in a covered oven-safe dish at 350°F until warmed through.
You can also freeze it for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating. I love having a ready-made meal in the freezer for those extra-hectic nights.
Nutrition Notes
This is a hearty meal, so here’s a basic nutritional breakdown per serving (assuming 6 servings).
- Calories: ~420
- Protein: ~28g
- Carbohydrates: ~30g
- Fat: ~20g
- Fiber: ~4g
You can lighten it up by using extra-lean ground beef and reducing the cheese slightly. The potatoes provide good energy and the dish is packed with protein.
Your One-Pot Questions, Answered
Here are answers to the questions I get asked most often about this dish.
Can I use a different type of potato?
Absolutely! Yukon Gold potatoes are a great choice. They have a buttery texture and hold their shape well. I don’t recommend red potatoes, as they can become a bit waxy. The key is a starchy potato that soaks up the smoky sauce.
What if I don’t have an oven-safe skillet?
No problem at all. Just follow the stovetop steps in any large pan. Then, transfer the entire mixture to a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Cover it with foil and bake as directed. You’ll still only dirty two items—your pan and the baking dish.
How can I make this dish less spicy for my family?
You have a couple of easy options. First, just use the adobo sauce from the can and skip the actual chipotle pepper. The sauce has tons of flavor with less intense heat. Second, you can substitute the chipotle with 1 tablespoon of regular chili powder for a milder, still-delicious version.
I hope this recipe becomes a new favorite in your rotation. It checks all the boxes: it’s hearty, full of bold flavor, and incredibly simple to clean up after. That’s a win in my book.
It’s the kind of fast dinner that feels special but doesn’t require special effort. You get to enjoy a comforting beef and potatoes meal with a fun, smoky twist. For another wonderfully cozy option, be sure to check out my Hearty Ground Beef & Potato Casserole. Plus, you get to enjoy your evening instead of scrubbing pots.
So go ahead, power up your oven and give it a try. Enjoy all that flavor (and your clean kitchen!). Let me know how it went by leaving a comment and rating below!
