Cheese Burger Potato Skillet

Nothing beats a skillet full of cheesy potatoes and beef when everyone comes home hungry and craving comfort. This cheese burger potato skillet is everything you love about a classic burger all piled into one pan with crispy potatoes melty Colby Jack cheese and smoky bacon. It is fast simple and perfect for a weeknight dinner when you want a crowd pleaser without standing over the stove all night.

My family asks for this almost every Friday night. The first time we tried it I was shocked at how quickly the pan was empty and the only thing left were bacon crumbs.

Ingredients

• Ketchup: gives the burger sauce a sweet and tangy base buy good quality ketchup for best results
• Mayonnaise: adds creaminess to the sauce choose full fat for richness
• Mustard: provides sharpness yellow mustard is classic but you can try Dijon for a little twist
• Sweet relish: brings in that classic burger joint flavor make sure it is fresh not dried out
• Potatoes: are the hearty base pick small buttery varieties and check for firm unblemished skins
• Olive oil: helps crisp the potatoes use a good olive oil for flavor
• Salt pepper garlic powder and paprika: bring out the flavor in the potatoes use freshly ground pepper if possible
• Ground beef: is traditional for burgers look for eighty percent lean for juiciness
• Onion: sweet or yellow both work check for no soft spots
• Ground mustard onion powder garlic powder smoked paprika: are classic burger seasonings and build rich flavor buy spices in small batches for maximum freshness
• Minced garlic: gives a punch of flavor and should be fragrant and plump
• Colby Jack cheese: delivers melty goodness shred your own for the best melt
• Bacon: adds a smoky crunch use thick cut if available and cook until crisp
• Green onions: provide freshness and color choose firm green stalks

Step-by-Step Instructions

Peel and Prep Potatoes:

Wash peel and cut potatoes into evenly sized cubes so they cook uniformly and crisp up well in the air fryer

Season Potatoes:

Toss potato cubes with olive oil salt pepper garlic powder and paprika making sure every piece is coated generously for robust flavor

Cook Potatoes:

Air fry the potatoes at four hundred degrees F for about twenty to twenty five minutes shaking the basket a few times for even browning and perfect texture

Cook the Bacon:

Bake or fry bacon until crispy I like baking on a parchment lined pan at four hundred degrees F for easiest cleanup then crumble and set aside

Brown Beef and Onion:

Heat a skillet over medium high add ground beef and chopped onion sprinkle with salt pepper ground mustard onion powder garlic powder and smoked paprika cook until beef is browned and onion is soft then drain any extra grease

Add Garlic:

Stir in minced garlic with the cooked beef letting it become fragrant for about one minute which lifts the flavor

Combine and Melt:

Add the air fried potatoes to the cooked beef in the skillet and gently mix top with shredded Colby Jack and crumbled bacon place in the oven at four hundred degrees F just until the cheese melts into everything

Finish and Serve:

Generously drizzle burger sauce over the top and add chopped green onion serve hot with your favorite burger toppings like pickles tomato or shredded lettuce

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This dish combines everything I crave on burger night smoky bacon sharp cheese and soft potatoes in every bite. Every time I sprinkle those green onions my kids come running to the table excited to find their favorite burger flavors all in one cheesy mound.

Storage Tips

Leftovers keep in the fridge for three days tightly covered. Reheat in the oven or a skillet so the potatoes stay crisp instead of soggy. If making ahead keep the sauce and green onions separate and add after reheating.

Ingredient Substitutions

You can swap ground turkey or chicken if you want a lighter skillet. Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese also melt well. If you do not have sweet relish try chopping up bread and butter pickles for a similar tang.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this skillet as is or pile it high on a platter with a side salad for freshness. I love adding a few sliced pickles or even lettuce on the side to really underline that burger feel. Garlic bread or a simple corn salad would round out the meal perfectly.

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Cultural Context

Cheese burger potato skillet is pure American comfort food fusing the beloved flavors of burgers with classic skillet potatoes. It is a go to in homes across the country where easy crowd pleasing one pan meals are the rule on busy nights.

Recipe FAQs

→ How do I ensure the potatoes are crispy?

Toss potatoes well with olive oil and seasonings, then cook in a preheated air fryer, shaking the basket a few times for even crisping.

→ Can I substitute the ground beef?

Ground turkey or chicken also works well in this dish, with minimal changes to flavor and texture.

→ What cheese is best for melting on top?

Colby Jack is recommended for its melting quality and mild flavor, but cheddar or a blend can be used as well.

→ Should I precook the bacon or use raw?

Precooking bacon makes crumbling easier and gives a crisp finishing touch to the dish when sprinkled atop the skillet.

→ What sides pair well with this skillet dish?

Try simple salads, pickles, or steamed vegetables to lighten up the meal and add a fresh note alongside the rich flavors.

→ Can I prepare the burger sauce ahead of time?

Absolutely! Mix the sauce in advance and refrigerate; it enhances flavor and saves time during meal prep.