Taco Potatoes

I’ve been sharing quick, never-basic meals for over a decade, and this is exactly the kind of recipe that fits real life. Simple steps, big flavor, and not a bland bite in sight. It all cooks in one skillet, crispy potatoes, seasoned meat, melty cheese, and then I pile on toppings and turn it into a taco potato bowl situation.

Cheesy Taco Potatoes Ingredients

• Olive Oil: Gets everything going in the skillet and helps the onions, garlic, and potatoes get that golden, crispy edge.
• Potatoes: The star. Crispy outside, tender inside, and they soak up all the flavor from the meat and spices so this eats like a full meal, not just a side.
• Ground Beef, Turkey, or Sausage: Pick your protein. Beef for classic flavor, turkey for leaner, or sausage if you want extra spice already built in.
• Onions: I grab pre-chopped because it saves time. They help build that taco-style flavor base.
• Garlic: Pre-peeled garlic stays on my grocery list. It adds that savory punch and rounds out the flavor.
• Cheese: Melty cheese ties everything together and gives that cozy, craveable finish.
• Diced Tomatoes + Green Chilies: Adds brightness and that Tex-Mex vibe — like stirring salsa straight into the skillet.

How to Make Cheesy Taco Potatoes

Detailed measurements and full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

1. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced potatoes and cook until they start to brown.
2. Push the potatoes to the side of the pan, then add the ground beef. Break down the beef into smaller chunks. Cook until browned and fully cooked through.
3. Drain any excess grease and fat from the pan. Add the spices, onions, garlic, and drained tomatoes with chilies. Stir well to combine.
4. Adjust the heat on the pan to low and place the lid on the pan. Allow the potatoes to simmer.
5. Once the potatoes have softened, turn the heat off of the pan and sprinkle grated cheese on top. Return the lid to the pan and allow the cheese to melt.

Taco Potatoes

Brandi Crawford

I’ve been sharing quick, never-basic meals for over a decade, and this is exactly the kind of recipe that fits real life. Simple steps, big flavor, and not a bland bite in sight. It all cooks in one skillet, crispy potatoes, seasoned meat, melty cheese, and then I pile on toppings and turn it into a taco potato bowl situation.

4.75 from 4 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Rate this recipeLeave a review!

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course dinner, lunch

Cuisine American

Servings 4 servings

Calories 495 kcal

Want to save this recipe for later?

I'll email it to you, so you can come back to it later! You will also grab your FREE ebook with my best 30-minute one-pot meals! Dinner stress stops here.

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 pound potatoes Diced into 1 inch chunks. I use russet potatoes.
• 1 pound ground beef, turkey, or sausage
• ½ cup diced onions
• 3 garlic cloves Minced
• 15.5 oz canned diced tomatoes and chilies Drained
• 1-2 cups grated cheddar cheese

Homemade Taco Seasoning (Use a store-bought packet if you wish)

• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• salt and pepper to taste
• ½-1 teaspoon cayenne pepper Optional for spicy

Instructions

 

• In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced potatoes and cook for 3-4minutes, stirring occasionally, until they start to brown.
  1 teaspoon olive oil, 1 pound potatoes
• Push the potatoes to the side of the pan, then add the ground beef. Break down the beef into smaller chunks. Cook until browned and fully cooked through.
  1 pound ground beef, turkey, or sausage
• Drain any excess grease and fat from the pan. Add the spices, onions, garlic, and drained tomatoes with chilies. Stir well to combine.
  ½ cup diced onions, 3 garlic cloves, 15.5 oz canned diced tomatoes and chilies, 1 tablespoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon cumin, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, salt and pepper to taste, ½-1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• Adjust the heat on the pan to low and place the lid on the pan. Allow the potatoes to simmer for 10-15 minutes or however long it takes for the potatoes to soften. Remove the lid every 5 minutes and stir to ensure the potatoes don't stick to the pan.
• Once the potatoes have softened, turn the heat off of the pan and sprinkle grated cheese on top. Return the lid to the pan and allow the cheese to melt. It usually takes 1-2 minutes.
  1-2 cups grated cheddar cheese

Notes

Yukon gold or russet potatoes work great because they hold their shape and crisp up nicely.

Feel free to bake or air fry your potatoes instead of cooking them on the stove. You can roast the potatoes at 425°F until crispy, then mix them with cooked seasoned meat and toppings. For the air fryer, cook at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes until crispy.

 

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 495kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 36gFat: 27g

Tried this recipe?Mention @Stay_Snatched or tag #StaySnatched!

Subscribe to our Youtube ChannelCheck out our videos!

Nutrition Data

Macros are provided as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. This information is calculated using MyFitnessPal.com. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Additions and Toppings

I make these into taco potato bowls and load up the toppings. It's an easy way to keep switching up the recipe so I can enjoy it time and time again without getting bored.

• My High Protein Queso with Cottage Cheese
• Sour Cream or Plain Greek Yogurt
• Avocado
• Salsa
• Pico de Gallo
• Black beans
• Corn
• Bell peppers
• Jalapeños
• Green chiles
• Cilantro
• Lime juice
• Cooked bacon
• Chorizo
• Cooked rice
• Sautéed mushrooms

Frequently Asked Questions and Pro Tips

Other Recipes You May Love

Ravioli Lasagna
Tortilla Egg Bake
Ground Beef Quesadillas
Chicken Broccoli Alfredo
High Protein Chicken Pasta Salad