These Cheesy Ground Beef Stuffed Crispy Mashed Potatoes are the ultimate fusion of comfort food and culinary creativity. Creamy mashed potatoes form the perfect shell to encase a savory filling of seasoned ground beef and melted cheese. Once shaped, they’re breaded and pan-fried until irresistibly golden and crispy. Each bite delivers a satisfying contrast between the soft, cheesy interior and crunchy outer layer—a flavor and texture harmony that makes this dish unforgettable.
Ideal for family dinners, casual get-togethers, or even meal prepping, these stuffed potato patties are crowd-pleasers. You can serve them with a side salad, steamed veggies, or dip them in sour cream or ketchup for an added kick. They’re also incredibly versatile—easily adapted with leftover mashed potatoes or swapped with ground chicken or turkey for a leaner option. Whether you’re looking to impress guests or enjoy a hearty meal solo, this recipe offers warmth, comfort, and pure satisfaction on every plate.
Full Recipe
Ingredients:
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4 cups mashed potatoes, cooled
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1 lb ground beef
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1 tablespoon olive oil
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1 small onion, finely chopped
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2 garlic cloves, minced
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1 teaspoon paprika
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1 teaspoon salt
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½ teaspoon black pepper
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1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
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1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
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1 egg
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1 cup breadcrumbs
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1 tablespoon chopped parsley (optional)
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Vegetable oil for frying
Directions:
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In a skillet over medium heat, warm the olive oil and sauté onion and garlic until softened.
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Add the ground beef, season with paprika, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook until browned and no longer pink.
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Remove from heat and mix in shredded cheddar cheese. Let it cool.
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Divide mashed potatoes into equal portions, flatten each into a disk, and place a spoonful of beef filling in the center.
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Carefully seal the edges and shape into round patties.
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Beat the egg in one bowl, and place the breadcrumbs in another.
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Dip each stuffed potato patty in the egg, then coat with breadcrumbs.
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In a skillet, heat vegetable oil over medium heat and fry patties until golden brown and crispy on both sides.
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Drain on paper towels, garnish with parsley if desired, and serve warm.
Prep Time: 25 minutes | Cooking Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 45 minutes
Kcal: 320 kcal | Servings: 6 servings
The Comfort Classic Everyone Loves
Few dishes manage to combine crispy textures, rich savory fillings, and comfort food appeal as perfectly as Cheesy Ground Beef Stuffed Crispy Mashed Potatoes. This recipe is a nostalgic yet creative take on classic mashed potatoes, upgrading them into golden-fried patties bursting with a hearty beef and cheese filling. Each bite offers a contrast of soft, creamy potato, gooey melted cheddar, and well-seasoned ground beef tucked into a crispy, golden shell. It’s a satisfying experience for the senses and an instant favorite at any table.
Perfect for weeknight dinners, family gatherings, or an indulgent snack, these stuffed potato patties deliver both flavor and satisfaction. They also make excellent use of leftover mashed potatoes and can be tailored to suit different diets and preferences. Whether you’re a meat lover or just someone craving something cozy and filling, this dish brings together all the elements of an irresistible comfort food experience.
Why This Recipe Works So Well
The success of this dish lies in the balance of textures and flavors. Mashed potatoes, typically soft and smooth, are transformed into a crispy exterior that holds up to pan-frying thanks to the addition of egg and breadcrumbs. This outer shell creates the perfect vessel for a juicy, seasoned beef filling enriched with melted cheese. The flavor combination is timeless—savory, creamy, cheesy, and slightly spiced—making it a dependable winner for all age groups.
The method is straightforward, but the result is impressive. The use of pantry staples like onion, garlic, ground beef, mashed potatoes, and cheese means you won’t need to shop for exotic ingredients. Plus, the prep is relatively quick, and the frying process brings instant gratification with minimal fuss. Even beginners in the kitchen can pull this off with confidence.
Versatility of the Recipe
One of the best features of this recipe is its adaptability. Don’t eat beef? Swap it with ground turkey, shredded chicken, or plant-based meat alternatives. Want to boost the nutrition? Add finely chopped vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach to the filling. You can even experiment with different cheeses—try mozzarella for a gooey pull, or pepper jack for a bit of heat.
You can also play around with the size and shape. Make mini versions for appetizers or party snacks, or go bigger for a dinner-style main course. They store well in the fridge and reheat nicely in an oven or air fryer, making them a practical choice for meal prep.
Perfect for Leftover Mashed Potatoes
If you often find yourself with leftover mashed potatoes, this is the ideal way to give them new life. Rather than reheating and serving them the same way, transform them into something exciting and indulgent. The texture of cold mashed potatoes actually helps in shaping the patties and holding them together during frying. This gives you another reason to make extra mashed potatoes the next time you cook them.
Kid-Friendly and Crowd-Pleasing
This recipe is a hit with kids thanks to its familiar ingredients and fun, handheld shape. It’s like a mashup of mashed potatoes, cheeseburgers, and croquettes—all kid-friendly favorites. Serve them with ketchup, sour cream, or even ranch dressing, and you’ll see plates wiped clean. Adults love them too, especially when paired with a crisp salad or a bowl of soup for a complete meal.
These crispy stuffed potato patties also make a great party food. You can prep and shape them ahead of time, keep them refrigerated, and fry them just before serving. The result? Fresh, hot, crispy delights that will fly off the tray.
Tips for Success
While the recipe is simple, a few tricks can help ensure perfect results every time. First, make sure the mashed potatoes are not too loose—if they’re overly creamy or wet, they’ll be hard to form into patties. Let them chill in the fridge if needed to firm them up. Second, press the edges well when sealing the beef inside the potato disk; this keeps the filling from leaking out during frying.
Use a non-stick pan or a well-oiled skillet to get that perfect golden crust. And don’t overcrowd the pan—give each patty space so they fry evenly. If you’re preparing them for a large group, consider baking them after frying to keep them warm and extra crispy.
Healthy Variations
If you’re trying to make this dish a bit healthier, you have plenty of options. Bake instead of fry for less oil. Use lean ground meats or plant-based alternatives to cut down on fat. Whole wheat breadcrumbs add fiber, and sneaking in veggies to the filling boosts the nutritional value. Even swapping cheddar with a lower-fat cheese or skipping it altogether still yields a delicious result.
For those on a gluten-free diet, simply use gluten-free breadcrumbs and ensure that your seasonings and fillings are compliant. The core of this recipe—mashed potatoes and a hearty filling—naturally leans toward satisfying, even with small modifications.
Serving Suggestions
These crispy stuffed mashed potatoes pair beautifully with light and fresh sides. A green salad with vinaigrette, steamed green beans, or roasted carrots makes a great accompaniment. For dipping, try sour cream with chives, spicy mayo, sriracha ketchup, or a creamy garlic sauce.
You can also incorporate them into a larger meal spread, perhaps with soup and crusty bread for a cozy winter dinner, or serve them as a stand-alone lunch option with some pickles or slaw on the side. However you serve them, they’re sure to draw compliments and requests for the recipe.
Storage and Reheating
These stuffed potato patties store well in the refrigerator for 3–4 days and can be frozen for longer storage. To reheat, use an oven or air fryer to bring back the crispiness. Avoid microwaving unless you’re short on time, as it may make the outer layer soft. When freezing, it’s best to flash freeze them on a tray before transferring to a container or bag—this keeps them from sticking together.
Popular Around the Globe
Stuffed potato dishes have variations around the world. From Latin American “papa rellena” to Eastern European potato croquettes, the concept of stuffing and frying mashed potatoes is beloved globally. This version is especially appealing because of the blend of cheesy American-style comfort with just enough seasoning to give it character without overwhelming the palate.
Reasons to Love This Dish
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Combines simple ingredients into a gourmet-like experience
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Appeals to both kids and adults
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Highly customizable for different diets and preferences
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Makes use of leftovers in an exciting way
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Great for prepping ahead and freezing
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Offers crispy texture and gooey center in every bite
Conclusion
Cheesy Ground Beef Stuffed Crispy Mashed Potatoes are more than just a meal—they’re a celebration of flavor, texture, and comfort. Whether you’re serving them as a snack, side dish, or the star of your dinner table, they deliver satisfaction every time. Their crispy exterior, savory beef filling, and cheesy goodness make them unforgettable and absolutely crave-worthy.
This is the kind of recipe that becomes a household staple—the one your kids ask for after school, your guests rave about at dinner parties, and you keep coming back to whenever you want something hearty and homemade. With its balance of simplicity and indulgence, it’s a true gem in any cook’s recipe collection.