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 recipes that keep the mess to a minimum, like this Ultimate Ground Beef & Potato Casserole.
This Smoky Chipotle Ground Beef & Potato Casserole is my new favorite solution. It’s a complete, hearty dinner that cooks in a single skillet or casserole dish. You get tender potatoes, savory beef, and a kick of smoky heat, all without a sink full of pans. It’s the definition of a win-win for busy weeknights.
Recipe Overview
Here’s the quick snapshot of what you’re making. This is the kind of recipe you’ll come back to again and again.
- Cuisine: American
- Category: Dinner, Casserole
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Servings: 4-6
The Magic of a One-Pot (or One-Pan) Meal
I judge a recipe by its flavor and its cleanup. This one scores top marks on both counts. The magic here is in the layers.
You start by browning the beef right in the dish. Then, you build the rest of the meal around it. The potatoes soak up all those amazing, smoky flavors from the bottom of the pan. Every ingredient cooks together, which means every bite is perfectly seasoned.
Best of all, you only have one main dish to wash. That’s more time to relax and enjoy your food. I call that a major kitchen victory.
All You Need (One Pot & These Ingredients)
Gathering your gear is simple. You likely have most of these items already. The star here is the chipotle, which brings a wonderful depth of flavor.
You’ll need a 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 and transfer it to a baking dish.
The ingredient list is straightforward. Ground beef and potatoes are the hearty base. The smoky chipotle in adobo sauce is the flavor hero. It’s usually found in a small can in the international aisle. If you love adding extra vegetables, you might enjoy our Loaded Ground Beef & Potato Casserole with Veggies.
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 Full Ingredient List
- 1 lb lean ground beef (85/15 or 90/10 works great)
- 1 ½ lbs Yukon Gold potatoes, diced into ½-inch cubes
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced (adjust for heat!)
- 1 tablespoon adobo sauce (from the can)
- 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh cilantro or green onions for garnish (optional)
My “Less Mess” Cooking Method (Step-by-Step)
Follow these steps for a smooth cooking process. I’ve included my tricks to keep your kitchen tidy as you go.
- Prep First: Dice your potatoes and onion, and mince the garlic and chipotle peppers. Having everything ready 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 and onion over medium-high heat. Break the beef into crumbles as it cooks. Drain any excess fat if needed.
- Build the Flavor: Add the garlic, minced chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, cumin, and smoked paprika to the skillet. Stir and cook for just one minute until fragrant. This wakes up all the spices.
- Add Liquids & Potatoes: Pour in the tomato sauce and beef broth. Stir well, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Those bits are pure flavor! Then, stir in the diced potatoes.
- Simmer & Bake: Bring the mixture to a simmer. Then, cover the skillet with a lid or foil and carefully transfer it to the preheated oven. Bake for 30 minutes.
- Add Cheese & Finish: Remove the skillet from the oven. Carefully take off the lid (steam is hot!). Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top. Return to the oven, uncovered, for 10-15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and the potatoes are tender.
- Rest and Serve: Let the casserole sit for 5 minutes before serving. This helps it set perfectly. Garnish with fresh cilantro or green onions if you like.
Pro-Tips for Perfect One-Pot Cooking
I’ve made this dish many times. These small tips make a big difference in your results.
Dice Evenly: Try to cut your potato cubes the same size. This way, they all cook through at the same time. No one wants a crunchy potato next to a mushy one.
Don’t skip the simmer step on the stovetop before baking. It gets everything hot and helps the flavors start to blend. It’s a key step for a rich sauce.
Use a pot holder or towel! That skillet handle will be extremely hot when it comes out of the oven. I always leave a pot holder on the handle as a reminder.
If your skillet isn’t oven-safe, no problem. Just transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13 inch baking dish before putting it in the oven. You’ll still only have two items to clean.
Storing & Reheating (Easy!)
This casserole saves beautifully. It’s almost as good the next day, making it a fantastic meal prep option.
Let the dish cool completely. Then, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating.
To reheat, I prefer the oven or toaster oven. Cover with foil and warm at 350°F until heated through. This keeps the texture great. The microwave works in a pinch—just stir it halfway through.
Nutrition Notes
This is a hearty, satisfying meal. Here’s a basic look at what you’re getting per serving (based on 6 servings).
- Calories: ~380
- Protein: ~28g
- Carbohydrates: ~25g
- Fat: ~18g
- Fiber: ~3g
Using lean ground beef helps manage the fat content. You can also use a reduced-fat cheese if you prefer.
Your One-Pot Questions, Answered
Here are answers to the questions I get asked most often about this recipe.
Can I make this with a different protein?
Absolutely! Ground turkey or chicken are excellent swaps. Just note that they are leaner, so you might need a tiny bit of oil to start. The cooking method stays exactly the same.
My family is sensitive to spice. How can I adjust?
Start with just one chipotle pepper and the adobo sauce. You can always add more later. For a very mild version, use only the adobo sauce (about 1.5 tablespoons) and skip the whole peppers. The smoky flavor will still be there without the intense heat.
What can I serve with this casserole?
It’s a complete meal on its own! But a simple green salad or some steamed broccoli on the side is a nice, fresh contrast. A dollop of cool sour cream or Greek yogurt on top also balances the heat beautifully.
And there you have it. A dinner that’s packed with flavor but light on the cleanup. This recipe proves you don’t need a stack of dirty dishes to put a fantastic meal on the table.
It’s the kind of fast, comforting food that makes weeknights feel special. You get to enjoy that home-cooked feeling without the usual kitchen chaos. I hope it becomes a regular in your rotation of easy dinner recipes, right alongside classics like this Hobo Casserole.
Enjoy all that smoky flavor (and your clean kitchen!). Let me know how it went by leaving a comment and rating below!
