If you’re craving a dish that brings together the comforting warmth of potatoes with the savory goodness of ground beef, fresh spinach, and ooey-gooey cheese, then you are going to love this Stuffed Potato Stacks with Ground Beef, Spinach, and Melty Cheese Recipe. It’s the perfect blend of layers that are crispy, creamy, and bursting with flavor—an absolute showstopper that’s surprisingly easy to prepare. This recipe transforms humble ingredients into a delightful meal that feels both hearty and fresh, ideal for sharing with family or impressing friends.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To create these delicious stuffed potato stacks, you’ll only need a handful of straightforward ingredients. Each plays a key role: the potatoes form a crispy base, the ground beef brings savory richness, fresh spinach adds a vibrant touch, and the cheeses guarantee that luscious melt everyone loves.
- 4 large potatoes, peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch rounds: Choose firm potatoes to help your stacks hold shape and match with that satisfying crispiness.
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted: This coats the potato slices for golden browning and adds a rich buttery flavor.
- 1 teaspoon salt: Enhances the natural flavors in both potatoes and meat layers perfectly.
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper: Adds just the right touch of heat and depth.
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder: Infuses a subtle savory note to the potatoes.
- 1/2 pound ground beef or turkey: Provides hearty protein; beef brings richness while turkey is a leaner option.
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika: Gives the meat a smoky, slightly spicy kick.
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano: Brings a fresh herbaceous layer that brightens the ground beef mixture.
- 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped: Adds color, nutrition, and a tender texture after wilting.
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded: Melts beautifully to bind the layers with gooey indulgence.
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated: Contributes a sharp, nutty flavor that complements the mozzarella.
- Fresh parsley, chopped: The perfect fresh garnish adding an inviting burst of green and herb fragrance.
How to Make Stuffed Potato Stacks with Ground Beef, Spinach, and Melty Cheese Recipe
Step 1: Prepare and Preheat
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a baking sheet. This ensures your potato slices won’t stick and can crisp up nicely while baking.
Step 2: Toss the Potato Slices
Combine your potato rounds with the melted butter, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Giving them a gentle toss coats every slice evenly with flavor and fat, which is essential for that golden crust. Place half of the slices on the baking sheet—don’t overcrowd them—and bake for about 15 minutes until they turn slightly golden and begin to soften.
Step 3: Cook the Savory Meat and Spinach Mix
While your potatoes bake, heat a skillet over medium and brown the ground beef, stirring often to crumble it. Once cooked through, drain any excess fat to keep things light but flavorful. Add salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and oregano to the meat, stirring to infuse those lovely spices. Toss in the chopped spinach and cook it just until wilted, preserving its vibrant green color and fresh taste.
Step 4: Assemble the Potato Stacks
Remove the baked potato slices from the oven and begin building your stacks. Place a potato round down, then spoon the seasoned meat and spinach mixture over it, followed by a generous sprinkle of mozzarella and parmesan cheeses. Cap each stack with another potato slice to complete the layers.
Step 5: Final Bake for Melty Perfection
Return your assembled stacks to the oven for 10 to 15 minutes. The goal here is to melt the cheeses deliciously while letting the top potato slice brown just enough to get that irresistible edge.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Once out of the oven, sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the stacks to add a fresh, herbal aroma. Serve these warm for the best melty, crispy texture contrast that makes this Stuffed Potato Stacks with Ground Beef, Spinach, and Melty Cheese Recipe such a winner.
How to Serve Stuffed Potato Stacks with Ground Beef, Spinach, and Melty Cheese Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh parsley is wonderful here, but you can also add a dollop of sour cream or a drizzle of your favorite hot sauce to deliver a creamy or spicy twist that complements the cheese and beef beautifully.
Side Dishes
These stuffed potato stacks shine as a meal on their own, but pairing them with a crisp green salad, steamed veggies, or a tangy coleslaw balances the richness and adds freshness to the plate.
Creative Ways to Present
For a party or special dinner, arrange the stacks on a long platter with alternating layers of colorful roasted peppers or cherry tomatoes. This brings vibrance and allows guests to grab individual stacks effortlessly, making your meal both delicious and visually impressive.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Cool your leftover potato stacks completely, then store them covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. They reheat well and keep their flavor and texture, making them perfect for next-day lunches or dinners.
Freezing
If you want to save some for later, wrap individual stacks tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze up to 2 months. This recipe freezes nicely thanks to the potatoes and cheese, but spinach may lose a little texture.
Reheating
To reheat, thaw frozen stacks overnight in the fridge and warm them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes until heated through and bubbly again. Avoid microwaving if possible to maintain crispiness.
FAQs
Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef?
Absolutely! Ground turkey works perfectly in this Stuffed Potato Stacks with Ground Beef, Spinach, and Melty Cheese Recipe, offering a leaner option without sacrificing flavor.
What type of potatoes is best for this recipe?
Waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold hold their shape nicely and crisp well, but Russets also work if you prefer a fluffier texture inside your stacks.
Can I prepare this recipe vegetarian?
Yes! Simply substitute the ground beef with cooked lentils, mushrooms, or a plant-based meat alternative, and follow the same layering process for a meat-free version.
Is it possible to make these gluten-free?
Definitely. This recipe is naturally gluten-free as long as you check that your spices and cheeses do not contain hidden gluten additives.
How do I prevent the potatoes from sticking to the baking sheet?
Lightly greasing your baking sheet or using parchment paper helps immensely. Tossing the potatoes in melted butter also creates a barrier that keeps them from sticking while baking.
Final Thoughts
This Stuffed Potato Stacks with Ground Beef, Spinach, and Melty Cheese Recipe is a wonderful way to transform simple ingredients into a comforting, crowd-pleasing dish. It’s versatile, flavorful, and perfect for both casual family meals and special occasions. I can’t wait for you to try it yourself and enjoy every melty, savory bite!
Print
Stuffed Potato Stacks with Ground Beef, Spinach, and Melty Cheese Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Deliciously layered stuffed potato stacks featuring tender slices of buttery potatoes layered with a flavorful ground beef and spinach mixture, topped with melted mozzarella and parmesan cheeses. This easy oven-baked recipe makes a perfect comforting meal or side dish.
Ingredients
Potatoes
- 4 large potatoes, peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Stuffed Filling
- 1/2 pound ground beef or turkey
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a baking sheet to prepare for baking the potato slices.
- Bake Potato Slices: Toss the peeled potato rounds with melted butter, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Arrange half of the slices evenly on the baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes until they are slightly golden and tender.
- Cook Ground Meat Mixture: While potatoes bake, heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the ground beef or turkey until browned. Drain any excess fat, then season with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and oregano. Stir in the chopped spinach and cook for 2 minutes until wilted and flavors combined.
- Assemble Stuffed Potato Stacks: Remove baked potato slices from the oven. On half of the slices, layer the cooked meat and spinach mixture, then sprinkle with mozzarella and parmesan cheeses. Top each stack with another potato slice to close the layers.
- Final Bake: Return the assembled potato stacks to the oven and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese melts beautifully and the potatoes turn golden brown on top.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven, garnish with freshly chopped parsley, and serve the stuffed potato stacks warm for a comforting meal.
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey for a leaner option.
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of crushed red pepper to the meat mixture.
- Make sure potato slices are uniform thickness for even baking.
- These stacks can be assembled ahead and baked just before serving.
- To keep potatoes from browning before baking, place sliced potatoes in water until ready to use.
