Introduction
These Loaded Hasselback Potatoes are crispy on the outside, fluffy in the center, and generously filled with seasoned ground beef and gooey melted cheese. The potatoes are sliced accordion-style, roasted until golden, then topped with savory beef and a rich creamy cheese sauce.
There is no bacon in this recipe. The ground beef provides all the savory, hearty flavor, while cheddar and mozzarella create a deliciously cheesy topping.
This is an impressive comfort-food dinner that’s perfect for family meals, weekend cooking, or a cozy homemade dinner.
Recipe Overview
| Category | Details |
| Prep Time | 20 minutes |
| Cook Time | 55–70 minutes |
| Total Time | About 1 hour 20 minutes |
| Servings | 4 |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Cuisine | American-inspired |
| Main Protein | Ground beef |
| Cooking Method | Oven-baked |
| Bacon | None |
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These potatoes have everything you want in a hearty comfort-food meal: crispy edges, soft potato centers, flavorful ground beef, and plenty of melted cheese.
The thin Hasselback slices allow the potato to roast beautifully while creating little spaces for the seasoned beef and creamy cheese to settle into every bite.
The recipe is also easy to customize with different cheeses, seasonings, vegetables, or sauces while keeping the delicious beef-and-cheese combination at the center of the dish.
Ingredients
For the Hasselback Potatoes 🥔
| Ingredient | Amount |
| Large russet potatoes | 4 |
| Olive oil | 3 tbsp |
| Unsalted butter, melted | 2 tbsp |
| Garlic powder | 1 tsp |
| Paprika | 1 tsp |
| Italian seasoning | 1 tsp |
| Salt | 1 tsp |
| Black pepper | ½ tsp |
| Fresh parsley | 2 tbsp, chopped |
For the Ground Beef Filling 🥩
| Ingredient | Amount |
| Ground beef | 1 lb (450 g) |
| Yellow onion | 1 small, finely diced |
| Garlic | 2 cloves, minced |
| Olive oil | 1 tbsp |
| Paprika | 1 tsp |
| Garlic powder | ½ tsp |
| Onion powder | ½ tsp |
| Italian seasoning | 1 tsp |
| Worcestershire sauce | 1 tbsp |
| Salt | ¾ tsp |
| Black pepper | ½ tsp |
For the Creamy Cheese Sauce 🧀
| Ingredient | Amount |
| Sharp cheddar cheese, shredded | 1½ cups |
| Mozzarella cheese, shredded | 1 cup |
| Heavy cream | ¼ cup |
| Cream cheese | 2 tbsp |
| Paprika | ¼ tsp |
| Black pepper | ¼ tsp |
| Salt | To taste |
Optional Toppings 🌿
| Ingredient | Amount |
| Fresh parsley | 2 tbsp |
| Green onions | 2 tbsp, sliced |
| Sour cream | For serving |
| Jalapeños | Optional |
| Extra shredded cheese | As desired |
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Potatoes
Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
Wash and scrub the potatoes thoroughly, then pat them completely dry.
Place each potato between two wooden chopsticks or the handles of two wooden spoons.
Using a sharp knife, carefully make thin slices across the potato, stopping when the knife reaches the chopsticks.
Do not cut all the way through. The slices should remain connected at the bottom.
2. Make the Potato Seasoning
In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, melted butter, garlic powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
Brush the mixture generously over each potato.
Try to get some of the seasoning between the slices without breaking the potato apart.
3. Roast the Potatoes
Place the potatoes on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Roast for 40–50 minutes, depending on their size.
About halfway through cooking, remove the potatoes and brush them again with the butter and oil mixture.
Continue roasting until the potato centers are tender and the edges are becoming golden and crispy.
4. Prepare the Ground Beef
While the potatoes are roasting, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the diced onion and cook for 3–4 minutes, until softened.
Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
5. Cook the Beef
Add the ground beef to the skillet.
Cook for 6–8 minutes, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon until browned and fully cooked.
If there is a large amount of excess grease, carefully drain some of it.
6. Season the Beef
Add paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and black pepper.
Stir everything together and cook for another 2–3 minutes.
Remove from the heat and set aside.
7. Make the Creamy Cheese Sauce
Place the heavy cream and cream cheese in a small saucepan over low heat.
Stir until the cream cheese melts and the mixture becomes smooth.
Add the shredded cheddar and mozzarella gradually, stirring continuously until the cheese melts.
Season with paprika and black pepper.
Keep the heat low and avoid boiling the sauce.
8. Load the Potatoes With Beef
Remove the roasted potatoes from the oven.
Carefully spoon the seasoned ground beef over each potato and gently push some of the beef between the slices.
Don’t worry if some beef remains on top—the more loaded, the better.
9. Add the Cheese
Pour or spoon the creamy cheese sauce generously over the beef-loaded potatoes.
Sprinkle additional shredded cheddar and mozzarella over the top for an extra cheesy finish.
10. Bake Again
Return the potatoes to the oven at 425°F (220°C).
Bake for another 8–12 minutes, until the cheese is completely melted and bubbling.
For a beautifully browned top, broil for 1–2 minutes at the end, watching carefully so the cheese doesn’t burn.
11. Garnish and Serve
Remove the potatoes from the oven and let them rest for about 5 minutes.
Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley and green onions.
Serve immediately with sour cream or your favorite creamy dipping sauce.
Best Tips
Use large russet potatoes for the best combination of crispy skin and fluffy centers.
Keep the slices thin and evenly spaced so the potatoes cook consistently.
Using chopsticks or wooden spoon handles underneath the potato makes it much easier to avoid cutting all the way through.
Brush the potatoes more than once during roasting to encourage beautifully crisp edges.
Freshly shredded cheese melts more smoothly than many pre-shredded varieties.
Cook the ground beef until nicely browned before adding the seasonings. Browning creates a deeper, richer flavor.
Don’t overcrowd the skillet when cooking the beef. If necessary, brown it in batches.
Best Ingredient Options
Potatoes 🥔
Russet potatoes are the best choice for fluffy centers and crispy edges.
Yukon Gold potatoes are another excellent option if you prefer a naturally buttery flavor.
Ground Beef 🥩
An 80–90% lean ground beef works particularly well because it has enough fat for flavor without making the potatoes excessively greasy.
Cheese 🧀
Cheddar and mozzarella create a great balance of flavor and stretch.
You can also use Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, Pepper Jack, Gruyère, or a combination of your favorite cheeses.
Herbs 🌿
Fresh parsley works beautifully, but fresh chives or green onions can also be used.
Recipe Variations
Spicy Beef Hasselback Potatoes 🌶️
Add ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes or a diced jalapeño to the ground beef.
Pepper Jack cheese is especially good in this version.
BBQ Beef Hasselback Potatoes 🍖
Add 2 tablespoons of barbecue sauce to the cooked beef and drizzle a little extra BBQ sauce over the finished potatoes.
Mushroom Beef Hasselback Potatoes 🍄
Sauté sliced mushrooms with the onions before adding the ground beef for an extra savory flavor.
Mexican-Style Beef Potatoes 🌮
Season the beef with cumin and chili powder, then top with cheddar, Monterey Jack, jalapeños, sour cream, and fresh cilantro.
Garlic Parmesan Potatoes 🧄
Add grated Parmesan cheese and extra garlic to the potato seasoning for a rich garlic-Parmesan flavor.
What to Serve With
These loaded potatoes are hearty enough to serve as a complete meal.
A crisp green salad makes a fresh side that balances the richness of the beef and cheese.
Roasted broccoli, green beans, corn on the cob, or a simple cucumber salad are also excellent options.
For an even more indulgent meal, serve the potatoes with garlic bread and a creamy dipping sauce.
Make-Ahead Instructions
The seasoned ground beef can be prepared up to 2 days in advance.
Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheat it before assembling the potatoes.
The cheese sauce can also be prepared ahead and refrigerated.
For the best texture, roast the potatoes fresh and add the beef and cheese toward the end of cooking.
Storage
Allow leftovers to cool completely.
Place the potatoes in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3–4 days.
Store sour cream, fresh herbs, and other cold toppings separately.
Reheating
For the crispiest result, reheat the potatoes in an oven at 375°F (190°C) for approximately 15–20 minutes.
An air fryer works even better for restoring the crispy edges. Reheat at 375°F (190°C) for about 8–12 minutes.
Microwaving is possible, but the potato skin and edges will become softer.
Freezing
These loaded potatoes can be frozen, although the potato texture may become slightly softer after freezing.
Allow them to cool completely before wrapping individually.
Place them in a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to 2 months.
Reheat from frozen in a 375°F (190°C) oven until heated through and the cheese is bubbling.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Cutting Completely Through the Potato
The slices should stop near the bottom so the potato stays intact.
Not Drying the Potatoes
Wet potatoes steam instead of roasting properly. Pat them completely dry before seasoning.
Using Too Much Oil
A generous coating is enough. Excess oil can make the potatoes greasy.
Adding the Cheese Too Early
Adding cheese too soon can cause it to burn before the potato becomes tender.
Not Browning the Beef
Properly browned beef has much more flavor than beef that is simply steamed in the skillet.
Overcrowding the Skillet
Cook the beef in a large enough pan so it browns properly instead of releasing too much liquid.
Nutrition Estimate
Approximate values per serving.
| Nutrient | Amount |
| Calories | 720 kcal |
| Protein | 40 g |
| Carbohydrates | 52 g |
| Fat | 40 g |
| Saturated Fat | 18 g |
| Fiber | 5 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Sodium | 1,050 mg |
Nutrition values are estimates and will vary according to potato size, beef fat percentage, cheese, and toppings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use ground beef instead of bacon?
Yes. This recipe is specifically made with ground beef and contains no bacon. The seasoned beef gives the potatoes a rich, savory filling.
Can I use ground turkey?
Yes. Ground turkey or ground chicken can replace the beef if desired.
Can I use another type of potato?
Yes. Yukon Gold potatoes work very well, although russet potatoes generally produce crispier edges and fluffier centers.
Can I make the potatoes without the creamy cheese sauce?
Absolutely. You can simply top the beef with shredded cheddar and mozzarella and bake until melted.
How do I know the potatoes are done?
A knife or fork should slide easily into the center of the potato. The outside edges should be golden and crispy.
Can I make this recipe spicy?
Yes. Add jalapeños, cayenne pepper, hot sauce, crushed red pepper flakes, or Pepper Jack cheese.
Final Thoughts
These Loaded Hasselback Potatoes with Ground Beef & Cheesy Sauce 🥔🥩🧀 are the perfect combination of crispy potatoes, juicy seasoned beef, and rich melted cheese.
The accordion-style potatoes create plenty of crispy edges while keeping the inside soft and fluffy. The flavorful ground beef fills every bite, and the creamy cheese sauce brings everything together.
With no bacon, this recipe keeps the focus on delicious seasoned beef and gooey cheese for a hearty, satisfying homemade dinner.