My brother-in-law brought these to our last camping trip and they disappeared faster than anything else we cooked. These Cheesy Potatoes Campfire style are basically loaded taco potatoes cooked over the fire, and they're so good that my kids asked for them three nights in a row. The crispy edges, melted cheese, seasoned meat, and all the toppings make this feel like comfort food in the woods.
I've since made them at home in the oven and they're just as addictive. This campfire recipe has become our go-to whenever we need easy camping food that feeds a crowd without a ton of effort.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Cheesy Potatoes Campfir is the ultimate camping cooking hack when you want something hearty that everyone will actually eat. This camp food combines crispy potatoes with seasoned ground beef or sausage, tons of melted cheese, and your favorite taco toppings all cooked in foil packets or a cast iron skillet. My sister made these cheesy campfire potatoes for a tailgate party and people were asking for the recipe before halftime.
They work as campfire breakfast, campfire lunch, or camping food dinner, which makes them super versatile. Plus, you can prep the camping potatoes make ahead at home, so setup at the campsite is basically zero. It's one of those campfire side dishes that's filling enough to be the main event.
What You'll Need
Just grab these simple ingredients and you've got one of the best campfire recipes ready to go. Most of this travels well and stores easily in a cooler, which is exactly what you need for camp potatoes.
Main Ingredients
- 2 pounds baby potatoes or Yukon gold potatoes, diced into 1-inch cubes
- 1 pound ground beef, ground sausage, or kielbasa sausage, diced
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack or Mexican blend cheese
- 1 packet taco seasoning (or 2 tablespoons homemade)
- 1 bell pepper, diced (optional)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Sour cream, salsa, green onions, and jalapeños for topping
Optional Extras
Add crumbled bacon for extra smoky flavor, swap in turkey sausage for a lighter option, or throw in black beans to make it heartier. My mom always adds diced tomatoes and extra cheese because she can't help herself.
The full instructions are right in the recipe card.
How to Make Cheesy Potatoes Campfire
Prep the Potatoes
Dice your potatoes into bite-sized cubes and toss them with olive oil, salt, and pepper. If you're camping, you can do this step at home and store them in a sealed container in your cooler. For campfire grill recipes, you want the potatoes cut evenly so they cook at the same rate.
Cook the Meat
In a cast iron skillet over your campfire (or on a grill at medium-high heat), cook the ground beef or diced sausage until browned, about 6 to 8 minutes. Add the diced onion and bell pepper if using, and cook for another 3 minutes. Drain any excess grease, then stir in the taco seasoning with a splash of water. This potato sausage combo is what makes these cheesy taco potatoes so flavorful.
Add the Potatoes
Push the meat to one side of the skillet and add the diced potatoes to the empty space. Let them cook undisturbed for about 5 minutes to get crispy on the bottom, then stir everything together. Cover the skillet with foil or a lid and let it cook for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are fork-tender and golden.
Can I make these in foil packets instead of a skillet?
Yes! Divide the potatoes, meat, cheese, and seasonings into individual foil packets. Seal them tightly and place directly on the campfire grill or coals for 20 to 25 minutes, flipping halfway through. This method is perfect for easy sides for camping when everyone wants their own portion.
Load It Up with Cheese
Once the potatoes are cooked through, sprinkle the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese all over the top. Cover again and let it sit for 2 to 3 minutes until the cheese melts into a gooey, bubbly layer. Remove from heat and top with sour cream, salsa, green onions, and any other toppings you like.
Aliana's Top Tip
The secret to perfect campfire potatoes is cutting them small enough that they cook through without burning.
If your potato cubes are too big, they'll be raw in the middle even after 30 minutes.
Also, don't skip the step of letting them sit undisturbed at first, that's how you get those crispy, golden edges that make this dish so good.
My husband tried to stir them constantly once and we ended up with mushy potatoes instead of crispy ones.
Trust the process and let them do their thing.
Ingredient Substitutions & Variations
Swap the ground beef for crumbled bacon sausage or beef kielbasa for a smokier flavor in your cheesy potatoes campfire. You can also make this a cheap potato meal by skipping the meat entirely and adding black beans and corn instead. For a taco bowl with potatoes vibe, serve these in individual bowls with extra toppings like avocado, cilantro, and lime. If you're making these cheesy potatoes campfire at home instead of camping, toss everything in a crockpot on low for 4 hours for cheese crockpot potatoes that require zero attention. They also work as tailgate potatoes if you cook them in a portable grill or over a bonfire pit.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Store leftover cheesy potatoes campfire in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through and the cheese gets melty again. You can also reheat these in the oven at 350°F for about 15 minutes. If you're meal prepping camping potatoes make ahead, cook the meat and dice the potatoes at home, then store them separately in the cooler. Assemble and cook your cheesy potatoes campfire fresh at the campsite for the best texture.
What to Serve With Cheesy Potatoes Campfire
These are hearty enough to be the main dish, but they pair great with grilled corn, a simple side salad, or campfire beans. For camping breakfast, serve these alongside scrambled eggs and toast. If you're doing a full camping food dinner spread, add some campfire hot dogs or grilled chicken. My family loves these with chips and guacamole on the side for a complete taco night vibe around the bonfire.
FAQs About Cheesy Potatoes Campfire
Can I use sweet potatoes instead of regular potatoes?
Yes! Sweet potatoes work great and add a slightly sweet flavor that pairs well with the savory taco seasoning. Just keep in mind they cook a bit faster than regular potatoes.
What's the best way to cook these without a campfire?
Make them in the oven at 400°F for 30 to 35 minutes, stirring halfway through. You can also use a crockpot on low for 4 to 5 hours for cheap crockpot recipes that are hands-off.
Can I make these vegetarian?
Absolutely! Skip the meat and add black beans, corn, and extra veggies like zucchini or mushrooms. It's still one of those fun potato recipes that's super satisfying without meat.
How do I prevent the potatoes from sticking to the foil?
Spray the inside of the foil packets with cooking spray or brush with oil before adding the ingredients. This makes cleanup way easier and prevents sticking.
More Recipes You'll Love
If you loved these cheesy potatoes campfire, you'll want to try my Campfire Breakfast Burritos, which are just as easy and packed with flavor. Or check out my Loaded Potato Skillet for another what to make with potatoes dinner idea. For more camping cooking inspiration, my Foil Packet Sausage and Veggies is a total crowd-pleaser. You'll find all of these camp food ideas and more potato meals dinners in my DINNER category.
Made it your way? Tag me on Pinterest @AlianaRecipes; I'd love to see your twist on it!
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Cheesy Potatoes Campfir Recipe:
Leave a Reply