1. Introduction
Garlic Butter Steak & Cheddar Potato Bake is a warm, rich one-dish meal that brings steak, garlic butter, and melty cheddar together over soft sliced potatoes. This dish cooks in the oven for an easy family dinner. If you want a slow-cooker idea for a similar taste, try Crockpot Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes for another simple method and flavor twist.
2. Why make this recipe
- Quick & simple: one dish to bake, easy prep and little cleanup.
- Few everyday ingredients: steak, potatoes, garlic, butter, and cheddar.
- Comfort food: creamy, savory, and filling — perfect for family nights.
- Impressive look: steaks on a bed of layered potatoes with melted cheddar.
- Balanced flavors: browned steak and garlic butter add depth to soft potatoes.
This version stands out because you sear the steak first to lock flavor, then bake it on sliced potatoes so juices melt into the layers. It feels homey and special at the same time.
3. Ingredients :
- For the steak and sauce:
- Steaks (your choice of cut, 1–1.5 lb total)
- 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
- For the potatoes and cheese:
- 3–4 medium potatoes, thinly sliced
- 1–1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
Notes: Use thin potato slices so they cook through in the baking time. Use salted butter if you cut back on added salt.
4. How to make Garlic Butter Steak & Cheddar Potato Bake
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). This ensures the potatoes start cooking right away.
- Pat steaks dry and season both sides with salt and pepper. Good seasoning brings flavor to the whole dish.
- Heat a skillet on medium-high. Add butter and stir in the minced garlic. Cook 30–45 seconds until fragrant — do not burn the garlic.
- Add steaks to the hot pan and sear each side until browned, about 2–3 minutes per side for medium sear. Searing locks juices and builds flavor.
- While steaks rest a few minutes, slice potatoes thinly (use a mandoline or sharp knife). Thin slices cook evenly and become tender in the oven.
- Layer sliced potatoes in a baking dish in an even layer. Overlap slightly so they form a base that will absorb steak juices.
- Place the seared steaks on top of the potato layer. Pour any garlic butter from the pan over the steaks and potatoes to add flavor.
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the steaks and potato edges so it melts across the top.
- Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake 30–35 minutes, until potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork and the cheese is melted.
- Remove the foil and bake 5–10 more minutes to brown and crisp the cheese top and edges. Watch so cheese does not burn.
- Let rest 5 minutes before serving so juices settle. Slice or serve steaks whole over the potatoes.
Mini-tips: If potatoes feel firm after baking covered, return to oven 5–10 minutes longer. Searing time will vary by steak thickness.
5. How to serve Garlic Butter Steak & Cheddar Potato Bake
- Serve straight from the dish onto plates with a spoonful of potatoes under the steak.
- Add a simple green salad or steamed veggies to cut the richness.
- Garnish with chopped parsley or chives for color.
- Serve with a squeeze of lemon or a side of pickles to balance the butter and cheese.
6. How to store Garlic Butter Steak & Cheddar Potato Bake
- Refrigerate: Cool to room temp, cover tightly, and store in fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Warm in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 15–20 minutes until heated through, or microwave individual portions until hot. To keep top from drying, cover loosely.
- Freeze: For longer storage, freeze in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in fridge before reheating.
7. Tips to make Garlic Butter Steak & Cheddar Potato Bake
- Slice potatoes thin for even cooking.
- Sear steaks well to add a deep, roasted flavor before baking.
- Use sharp cheddar for good melt and flavor.
- Let steaks rest after searing so juices stay in the meat.
- If you like extra garlic flavor, tuck a few extra garlic cloves around the potatoes.
- For another beef-and-potato idea, see this easy stovetop version: Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Potatoes.
8. Variation (if any)
- Swap cheddar for mozzarella or Gruyère for a different melt and taste.
- Add thinly sliced onions or bell peppers between potato layers for extra flavor.
- Use boneless chicken breasts instead of steak for a milder option.
- Make it low-carb: swap potatoes for thin cauliflower slices, bake slightly longer to tenderize.
FAQs
Can I use frozen potatoes?
Yes. Thaw frozen sliced potatoes first and pat dry. They may hold more water, so dry them well and add a few extra minutes to baking time until tender.
What if my steak is too thick to cook through in the time given?
If steaks are very thick, sear to brown and then finish cooking in the oven before adding cheese — or sear, bake covered for longer, then add cheese and crisp the top. Use a meat thermometer: 125°F–130°F for medium-rare, 135°F for medium.
Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes. The recipe uses no wheat ingredients as written. Ensure any butter or pre-shredded cheese has no added starch if you need strict gluten-free.
Is this dish freezer-friendly?
Yes. Cool fully, wrap well, and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in fridge before reheating in the oven.
Conclusion
Garlic Butter Steak & Cheddar Potato Bake is a simple, tasty one-dish meal that gives you hearty comfort fast. It combines seared steak, garlic butter, and melty cheddar over tender potato slices for an easy but impressive dinner. If you enjoy similar foil-packed meals, check this related recipe for a different cook method: Garlic Butter Steak and Potato Foil Packets – Savory Nothings. If you try this recipe, please leave a comment and a star rating below and share a photo on social media. What change will you try next time?
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Garlic Butter Steak & Cheddar Potato Bake
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten-Free
Description
A warm, rich one-dish meal that brings together seared steak, garlic butter, and melty cheddar over soft sliced potatoes.
Ingredients
- 1–1.5 lb steaks (your choice of cut)
- 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 3–4 medium potatoes, thinly sliced
- 1–1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Pat steaks dry and season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Heat a skillet on medium-high. Add butter and stir in minced garlic. Cook until fragrant, about 30-45 seconds.
- Add steaks to the hot pan and sear each side until browned, about 2-3 minutes per side.
- While steaks rest, slice potatoes thinly.
- Layer sliced potatoes in a baking dish, overlapping slightly.
- Place seared steaks on top and pour any garlic butter over them.
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top.
- Cover with foil and bake for 30-35 minutes until potatoes are tender.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes to brown the cheese.
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Use thin potato slices to ensure they cook through. Use salted butter if reducing added salt.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg