FROM OUR LITTLE KITCHEN
Rocky Top Beef and Potatoes
Seasoned beef, tender potatoes, corn, and plenty of cheesy goodness come together right in the Instant Pot. Easy, filling, and one of those rare dinners the whole family actually agrees on.
WHAT THIS DINNER COST US
RECIPE COST
$13.08
COST PER SERVING
$2.18
MAKES
6 SERVINGS
THE COST BREAKDOWN
Lean Ground Beef
1 lb: $6.93 · Used: 1 lb · Cost: $6.93
Onion
3 lb bag: $2.94 · Used: 1 onion · Cost: ~$0.49
Red Potatoes
3 lb bag: $3.94 · Used: 1½ lb · Cost: $1.97
Onion Soup Mix
2-packet box: $0.98 · Used: 1 packet · Cost: $0.49
Diced Tomatoes
14.5 oz can: $0.96 · Used: 1 can · Cost: $0.96
Frozen Corn
32 oz bag: $2.48 · Used: 1 cup · Cost: ~$0.41
Cream Cheese
8 oz block: $1.56 · Used: 4 oz · Cost: $0.78
Shredded Cheddar Cheese
16 oz bag: $3.48 · Used: 1 cup · Cost: ~$0.87
Salt & Pepper
To taste · Cost: ~$0.18
Water
½ cup · Cost: basically free
THE FAMILY VERDICT
Dawn: Quick, easy, cheap, and packed with flavor. I love it for dinner—and I’m very happy when there’s enough left for lunch at work the next day.
Garrett: Actually gets excited when this one is on the dinner plan. Enough said. 😂
Aiden: Goes back for seconds. That’s a win.
Milly: Loves it—and this is one of the dinners the kids actually request.
When Ethan & Ryan are home: We have to double the recipe…and somehow there still aren’t many leftovers.
FAMILY STATUS: KID REQUESTED • WHOLE-FAMILY FAVORITE ✓
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 onion, diced
- ½ cup water
- 1½ lbs red potatoes, sliced into ¼-inch rounds
- 1 packet (1 oz) onion soup mix
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, with juice
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
HOW WE MAKE IT
1. Brown the beef.
Turn the Instant Pot to Sauté. When the display reads HOT, add the ground beef and break it into crumbles. Add the diced onion and cook for about 5 minutes, until the beef is browned. Drain off any excess grease.
2. Deglaze the pot.
Pour in ½ cup water and scrape the bottom of the pot really well to loosen anything that’s stuck. This is important—it helps prevent the dreaded BURN error. Turn off the Instant Pot.
3. Layer the potatoes.
Arrange the sliced potatoes evenly over the beef. Some overlap is completely fine; just try not to pile them too thickly in one spot.
4. Add everything else—but DON’T stir.
Sprinkle the onion soup mix over the potatoes. Pour the diced tomatoes with their juice and the frozen corn over the top. Break the cream cheese into chunks and scatter them evenly over everything. Do not stir.
5. Pressure cook.
Secure the lid and make sure the valve is set to Sealing. Pressure cook on High for 1 minute.
6. Release the pressure.
When the cooking time is finished, allow the Instant Pot to naturally release for 5 minutes. Then carefully move the valve to Venting to release the remaining pressure. Remove the lid once the pressure has fully released.
7. Make it cheesy.
Gently stir everything together, then stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy.
8. Finish and serve.
Taste, season with salt and black pepper as needed, and serve hot.
MAKE IT YOURS
Make it in the Crock Pot.
Brown the ground beef and onion first, then add them to the slow cooker with the potatoes, water, onion soup mix, tomatoes, and corn. Cook on LOW for 4 hours. Add the cream cheese and cook for another 1 hour, then stir in the cheddar and season to taste.Swap the beef for Italian sausage.
Italian sausage is really good in this one. We don’t recommend ground turkey or chicken—the extra fat from beef or sausage helps this recipe cook and come together properly.Use your favorite potatoes.
We prefer red potatoes and don’t peel them, but other varieties work too. Just skip the little baby potatoes—you want nice, larger ¼-inch slices so they hold their shape instead of turning into accidental mashed potatoes. Peel them if you prefer.Switch up the tomatoes.
We normally use petite diced tomatoes, but Rotel works great if you want a little extra flavor and kick.Use whatever cheddar you love.
Any cheddar works. We prefer sharp cheddar because apparently we have standards. 😂