👩🍳 Instructions
Follow these simple steps for a cozy, delicious meal:
1. Prep and Cook the Bacon
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a large, oven-safe skillet (cast iron is ideal, 10-12 inches), cook the diced bacon over medium-high heat until crispy.
- Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Reserve the rendered bacon fat in the skillet.
2. Brown the Ground Beef and Add Aromatics
- Add the ground beef to the skillet with the bacon grease. Cook, breaking it apart with a spatula, over medium-high heat until it is mostly browned.
- Add the diced onion and continue cooking until the beef is fully cooked and the onion is softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- Season the mixture. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, dry mustard, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute.
- Drain excess grease if necessary, leaving a thin layer of fat/moisture for cooking the potatoes.
3. Layer and Add Liquid
- Create the layers: Push the seasoned ground beef mixture to one side of the skillet.
- Arrange a single, slightly overlapping layer of the thinly sliced potatoes on the bottom of the empty side of the skillet.
- Spread the ground beef mixture evenly over the potatoes you just laid down.
- Cover the meat layer with a second, slightly overlapping layer of the remaining sliced potatoes.
- Pour the 2 cups of milk evenly over the potatoes and ground beef in the skillet.
- Top the entire dish with the shredded cheddar cheese.
4. Bake to Perfection
- Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven.
- Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender, the milk has mostly absorbed/reduced, and the cheese is bubbly and lightly browned around the edges. Pro Tip: If the cheese starts to brown too quickly, you can loosely cover the skillet with foil.
5. Finish and Serve
- Remove the skillet from the oven. Let it rest for 5 minutes.
- Crumble the reserved crispy bacon over the top.
- Garnish with fresh parsley or sliced green onions, if desired.
- Serve hot, directly from the skillet!
📝 Chef's Notes & Variations
- Potato Choice: Russet potatoes will be slightly softer and starchier, while Yukon Gold or Red Potatoes hold their shape better. Ensure slices are thin (1/4 inch) for even cooking.
- Make it Creamier: For an even richer, creamier dish, swap out half of the milk for heavy cream or a can of cream of mushroom soup.
- Extra Veggies: Feel free to stir in a cup of frozen corn or peas with the milk for added color and nutrition before baking.
- Spice it Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the ground beef mixture for a little heat.
- Skillet Size: A 12-inch oven-safe skillet is recommended for the best results and proper layering. If your skillet is smaller, the bake time may increase.
This "Loaded Ground Beef and Potatoes Skillet" is a guaranteed family favorite—hearty, cheesy, and utterly satisfying. Enjoy the simplicity of a complete meal right out of one pan!
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