Easy One-Pan Cheesy Hashbrown Enchilada Skillet: Your Ultimate Weeknight Tex-Mex Comfort Food
Craving a dish that’s hearty, flavorful, and incredibly simple to make? This Cheesy Hashbrown Enchilada Skillet is your answer! It brings together crispy golden hashbrowns, perfectly seasoned ground beef, vibrant enchilada sauce, and a blanket of melty cheese into one irresistible pan. Ideal for busy weeknights when you need dinner on the table fast, yet delicious enough to impress guests, this recipe is guaranteed to become a family favorite. Get ready for bold Tex-Mex flavors with the comforting crunch of hashbrowns in every bite.
Experience the ultimate fusion of breakfast and dinner with this Hashbrown Enchilada Skillet. This isn’t just a meal; it’s a culinary hug that delivers serious comfort and robust Tex-Mex appeal without the fuss of multiple pots and pans. Imagine the satisfying texture of perfectly cooked hashbrowns forming the base, layered with savory ground beef seasoned to perfection, all swimming in a rich enchilada sauce, and crowned with a generous sprinkle of melted Mexican cheese. It’s a one-pan wonder designed for maximum flavor and minimal cleanup.
Why You’ll Love This One-Pan Enchilada Skillet
- Effortless One-Pan Meal: Everything comes together in a single skillet (or two, if you prefer to crisp hashbrowns separately before combining), significantly reducing your cleanup time. This makes it a perfect solution for those hectic weeknights.
- Speedy Preparation: With just a few key ingredients and simple steps, you can have this flavorful dinner on the table in about 30 minutes from start to finish.
- Irresistible Texture & Flavor: The combination of crispy hashbrowns, tender seasoned ground beef, zesty enchilada sauce, and gooey melted cheese creates a dynamic taste and texture experience that’s truly satisfying.
- Customizable & Versatile: This recipe is a fantastic canvas for customization. Add your favorite vegetables, switch up the protein, or adjust the spice level to suit your family’s preferences.
- Family-Friendly: This hearty and cheesy dish is a crowd-pleaser that even picky eaters will adore. It’s a great way to introduce Tex-Mex flavors in a comforting format.
This recipe first made its appearance nearly a decade ago, born from a fun 5-ingredient challenge. The goal was to create something incredibly simple yet profoundly delicious, suitable for any night of the week. What started as a basic concept quickly evolved into this beloved Hashbrown Enchilada Skillet, proving that sometimes, less truly is more. Over the years, I’ve discovered a myriad of ways to enhance it with just a couple of extra ingredients, making it truly shine and catering to diverse palates.
The secret to its quick assembly and comforting appeal lies in store-bought shredded hash browns. They fry up beautifully, achieving that perfect crispy-crunchy exterior and tender interior that we all love. This foundation pairs wonderfully with the savory, seasoned ground beef, creating a satisfying base for the rich enchilada flavors. While refrigerated hash browns are a fantastic shortcut, you can certainly shred your own potatoes or use frozen varieties; just be mindful that the cooking time might vary slightly. No matter your choice, the result is a gloriously cheesy and satisfying skillet dinner.
Essential Ingredients for Your Hashbrown Enchilada Skillet
Below are the core ingredients that make this dish so special. For the complete, detailed recipe, be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post for the FULL PRINTABLE recipe card.
- Shredded Hash Browns: I typically opt for the convenient refrigerated shredded hash browns found in the dairy aisle. They cook up quickly and achieve a lovely crispness. If using frozen hash browns, ensure you thaw them first and pat them very dry to help them crisp up properly.
- Ground Beef: Lean ground beef (80/20 or 85/15) is ideal for a flavorful base. It browns beautifully and absorbs the enchilada sauce wonderfully. For a lighter alternative, ground turkey works exceptionally well, offering a similar texture and versatility.
- Frozen Corn: Adding a touch of sweetness and texture, frozen corn kernels are a quick and easy addition. If you only have canned corn on hand, simply drain it thoroughly before incorporating.
- Enchilada Sauce: A can of good quality store-bought enchilada sauce is a huge time-saver and delivers authentic flavor. You can choose mild, medium, or hot, depending on your preference. For an extra layer of homemade goodness, consider making your own Homemade Enchilada Sauce.
- Mexican Cheese Blend: This blend typically includes Monterey Jack, cheddar, asadero, and queso blanco, offering a perfect combination of meltiness and flavor. You could also use a mix of shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses.
These five ingredients were the stars of the original challenge. However, I often find myself adding finely diced onion to the skillet while sautéing the ground beef for an extra aromatic kick. A can of drained and rinsed black beans is another fantastic addition, bulking up the meal and adding more fiber and a delicious earthy flavor.
Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting Your Hash Brown Enchilada Skillet
Making this hearty skillet dinner is incredibly straightforward. Follow these simple steps for a delicious and satisfying meal:
- Prepare the Hash Browns: In a large, sturdy skillet (preferably cast iron or another oven-safe skillet), cook the shredded hash browns according to the package directions. The goal is to get them golden brown and wonderfully crispy. This often involves a bit of oil or butter and cooking them undisturbed for several minutes before flipping. You can also cook them in a separate pan if you want maximum crispiness and then transfer them back.
- Brown the Meat: While the hash browns are cooking, heat a separate skillet over medium-high heat. Add your ground beef (or turkey) and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until it’s fully browned and no longer pink. If your meat releases a significant amount of fat, carefully drain it off to prevent the dish from becoming greasy.
- Build the Enchilada Filling: Once the ground beef is cooked, stir in the frozen corn kernels (no need to thaw) and the enchilada sauce. Mix everything thoroughly, ensuring the meat and corn are well coated. Let this mixture simmer gently for a couple of minutes, just until it’s heated through and the flavors have melded.
- Combine and Melt: Once your hash browns are crispy and evenly cooked, pour the warm ground beef and enchilada sauce mixture directly over the top of the hash browns in the same skillet. Spread it out evenly. Generously sprinkle the Mexican cheese blend over the entire surface.
- Cover and Serve: Cover the skillet with a lid (or foil if your skillet doesn’t have a lid) and let it sit for a few minutes over low heat, or transfer it to a warm oven, until the cheese is completely melted and bubbly. This dish is best served immediately, piping hot from the skillet. Remove it from the heat and customize each serving with your favorite taco toppings.
Recipe Tips & Customization Suggestions
To make your Hashbrown Enchilada Skillet truly exceptional and tailored to your taste, consider these helpful tips and creative additions:
- Achieving Ultimate Crispy Hash Browns: Don’t overcrowd your skillet when cooking the hash browns. Cook them in batches if necessary to ensure even browning and crispiness. A little extra oil and patience will yield the best results.
- Enhance Flavor with Aromatics: For a deeper flavor profile, sauté half a cup of finely diced onion and 1-2 cloves of minced garlic with the ground beef until softened before adding the corn and enchilada sauce.
- Spice It Up: If you love a bit of heat, use a spicy enchilada sauce. You can also add a pinch of chili powder, cumin, or a diced jalapeño (remove seeds for less heat) to the ground beef mixture. A dash of hot sauce at serving time works too!
- Additional Ingredients: A can of black beans (rinsed and drained) is a fantastic addition, adding more protein and fiber. Diced bell peppers (any color) or a handful of fresh spinach can also be folded into the meat mixture for extra veggies.
- Protein Variations: While ground beef is classic, feel free to experiment with other proteins. Cooked and shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken works great!), ground turkey, or even plant-based ground meat alternatives can be used.
- Toppings Galore: This skillet is wonderful on its own, but it truly shines with fresh toppings! Consider shredded lettuce, diced fresh tomatoes, creamy avocado or guacamole, a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt, fresh cilantro, sliced green onions, or a sprinkle of crumbled cotija cheese. These additions add brightness and contrasting textures.
- Storage: Any leftover Hashbrown Enchilada Skillet can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheating: For best results, reheat individual portions in the microwave until warmed through. You can also gently warm it in a skillet on the stovetop over medium-low heat until hot, adding a splash of water or broth if it seems dry.
More Easy Dinner Recipes You’ll Love
If you enjoyed the simplicity and flavor of this Hashbrown Enchilada Skillet, you’re in for a treat! We have a wide array of easy and delicious dinner recipes designed to make your meal planning stress-free and satisfying. Explore these other fantastic options for your next family meal:
- Taco Casserole
- Beefaroni
- Big Mac Wraps
- Mexican Pizza
- Chicken Fajita Bowls
Hashbrown Enchilada Skillet
Ingredients
- 20 oz shredded hash browns
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup frozen corn kernels
- 10 oz enchilada sauce
- 1 cup Mexican cheese blend
Optional Toppings
- shredded lettuce
- diced tomatoes
- diced avocados
Instructions
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In a large skillet, cook the shredded hash browns according to the package directions until they are golden brown and crispy. This may involve using a bit of oil and cooking them in an even layer.20 oz shredded hash browns
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In a separate skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it apart with a spoon until no longer pink. Drain any excess grease from the pan before proceeding.1 pound ground beef
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Add the frozen corn kernels and the enchilada sauce to the browned ground beef. Stir until all ingredients are well combined and heat for a few minutes until the mixture is warmed through and bubbling gently.1 cup frozen corn kernels, 10 oz enchilada sauce
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Once the hash browns are cooked to your desired crispiness, pour the ground beef and enchilada mixture over the top, spreading it evenly across the hash brown base. Then, generously sprinkle the Mexican cheese blend over the entire skillet.1 cup Mexican cheese blend
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Cover the skillet with a lid and let it cook for a few more minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted and gooey.
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Serve your delicious Hashbrown Enchilada Skillet immediately, hot from the pan. Garnish with your desired optional toppings for extra flavor and freshness.shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, diced avocados
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation. It can vary based on specific ingredients and brands used.
Additional Info
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This content was created in partnership with Simply Potatoes as a sponsored conversation. All opinions and the recipe text are entirely my own.