Creamy Ground Beef and Cheese Skillet Casserole
A quick and easy weeknight dinner featuring ground beef, heavy cream, and cheddar cheese cooked in a single skillet. This comfort food dish is ready in under 30 minutes with minimal cleanup.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs ground beef (80/20 ratio)
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and break apart with a wooden spoon, cooking for 5-7 minutes until browned. Drain excess fat, leaving about a tablespoon.
- Add diced onion to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent.
- Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Stir in tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute to toast the spices.
- Pour in beef broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Simmer for 2 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Reduce heat to low. Slowly pour in heavy cream while stirring constantly. Simmer gently for 2-3 minutes to thicken.
- Remove skillet from heat. Gradually add shredded cheddar cheese, stirring until fully melted and smooth.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve immediately while hot.
Notes
Shred your own cheese to ensure smooth melting, as pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents. Add cream off the heat or on low heat to prevent the sauce from breaking. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of beef broth or milk. For a lighter version, use lean beef and half-and-half.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 800
- Fat: 45
- Saturated Fat: 22
- Carbohydrates: 6
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 40
Keywords: ground beef, cheese skillet, quick dinner, weeknight meals, comfort food, one pan meal, creamy beef, easy recipes