Cheesy Beef Stuffed Potato Cakes

### Instructions

#### Step 1: Prepare the Potatoes
1. **Cook the potatoes**: In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil and add the peeled and cubed potatoes. Cook them for about 15 minutes, or until they are fork-tender. Drain the potatoes well and return them to the pot.

2. **Mash the potatoes**: Add butter and milk to the drained potatoes and mash them until smooth and creamy. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside to cool slightly.

#### Step 2: Cook the Beef Filling
3. **Cook the beef**: In a large skillet, heat a tablespoon of oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, cooking until softened and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.

4. **Add the ground beef**: Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Season with cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook the beef until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.

5. **Add cheese and cilantro**: Once the beef is fully cooked, remove it from the heat. Stir in the shredded cheese and chopped cilantro (if using). Let the mixture cool slightly.

#### Step 3: Assemble the Potato Cakes
6. **Form the potato cakes**: Once the mashed potatoes are cool enough to handle, scoop a generous spoonful of mashed potatoes into your hand and flatten it into a patty. Place a tablespoon or two of the beef mixture in the center, and then carefully fold the edges of the mashed potatoes over the beef to form a seal. Shape the patty into a round cake, ensuring the filling is completely encased in the mashed potatoes. Repeat with the remaining ingredients.

#### Step 4: Coat and Fry the Potato Cakes
7. **Dredge the cakes**: Set up a dredging station with three shallow bowls. In the first bowl, place the flour. In the second bowl, place the beaten egg. In the third bowl, place the breadcrumbs. Dip each potato cake first into the flour, then into the egg, and finally coat it in breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere. This creates a crispy outer layer once fried.

8. **Fry the cakes**: In a large skillet, heat about 1/4 inch of vegetable oil over medium heat. Once the oil is hot (but not smoking), carefully add the potato cakes to the skillet. Fry the cakes for about 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crispy. You may need to do this in batches, depending on the size of your skillet.

9. **Drain the cakes**: Once the cakes are fried to golden perfection, remove them from the skillet and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.

#### Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
10. **Serve**: Arrange the **Cheesy Beef Stuffed Potato Cakes** on a serving platter, garnish with fresh parsley (if desired), and serve hot. These cakes pair wonderfully with a side of sour cream, salsa, or guacamole for dipping.

### Tips for Perfect Cheesy Beef Stuffed Potato Cakes

– **Use Leftover Mashed Potatoes**: If you have leftover mashed potatoes from another meal, this is the perfect way to repurpose them into a brand-new dish! Just ensure the potatoes aren’t too runny—if they are, add a bit more cheese or breadcrumbs to help them hold together.

– **Customize the Filling**: Feel free to adjust the beef filling to your liking. You can swap the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version, or even add cooked vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms for extra flavor and texture.

– **Make Ahead**: These potato cakes can be assembled ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 24 hours. When ready to serve, simply fry them up fresh for a crispy, golden finish.

– **For Extra Crispiness**: Use panko breadcrumbs for the outer coating. They create a lighter, airier, and extra-crunchy texture, which is perfect for these stuffed potato cakes.

– **Baking Option**: If you prefer a lighter option, you can bake the stuffed potato cakes instead of frying them. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C), place the cakes on a greased baking sheet, and bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crispy.

### Why You’ll Love Cheesy Beef Stuffed Potato Cakes

**Cheesy Beef Stuffed Potato Cakes** are the perfect comfort food that’s packed with flavor in every bite. The crispy, golden crust is a delightful contrast to the soft, cheesy potato interior, and the savory beef filling ties everything together for a satisfying meal. Whether you’re serving these cakes as a main dish or an appetizer, they’re sure to impress everyone at the table.

This recipe is also incredibly versatile, allowing you to customize the filling to suit your preferences. You can make them spicier with a little chili powder, add more cheese for an even cheesier bite, or use ground chicken or turkey for a lighter twist. And since you can easily make these ahead of time, they’re perfect for busy weeknights or meal prepping.

So the next time you’re craving something comforting, indulgent, and absolutely delicious, give **Cheesy Beef Stuffed Potato Cakes** a try. They’re guaranteed to become a family favorite!