Description
This Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta Skillet is a delicious and comforting one-pan meal combining seasoned ground beef, tender pasta, and a blend of melted cheddar and mozzarella cheeses. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, it simmers all ingredients together in a skillet for easy preparation and bold, hearty flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings and Sauces
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 ½ cups beef broth
Pasta and Cheese
- 2 cups uncooked pasta (penne, rotini, or elbow)
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese (divided)
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Garnish
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Heat the skillet: Place a large skillet over medium heat to warm up.
- Cook the ground beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks to ensure even cooking.
- Drain grease: If there is excess grease in the pan, carefully drain it off to avoid a greasy dish.
- Add aromatics: Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet, stirring to combine with the beef.
- Sauté onions and garlic: Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the onion softens and the garlic is fragrant, creating a flavorful base.
- Season the mixture: Sprinkle in salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes if using, stirring well to distribute the seasonings.
- Add liquids and tomatoes: Pour in the undrained diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and beef broth. Stir everything together to combine flavors.
- Add the pasta: Add the uncooked pasta to the skillet, making sure it is completely submerged in the liquid to cook evenly.
- Bring to a boil: Increase heat to bring the mixture to a boil, then immediately reduce to low heat.
- Simmer the pasta: Cover the skillet and let it simmer gently for 12 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until pasta is tender.
- Mix in cheese: Remove the cover and stir in 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy throughout.
- Top with remaining cheese: Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup cheddar and ½ cup mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the pasta.
- Melt the cheese: Cover the skillet again and allow the cheese to melt for 2 to 3 minutes, creating a gooey cheesy topping.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from heat, garnish with chopped fresh parsley, and serve the cheesy ground beef pasta skillet warm.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- If you prefer less spice, omit the red pepper flakes.
- Pasta types like penne, rotini, or elbow macaroni work best for even cooking.
- If the mixture becomes too thick during simmering, add extra beef broth or water to loosen it up.
- Fresh parsley can be replaced with dried parsley or omitted if unavailable.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
