Description
Comfort meets convenience in this cheesy ground beef pasta skillet, a hearty one-pan wonder that combines savory beef, melted cheese, and perfectly cooked pasta. Home cooks will savor this quick, satisfying meal that brings warmth and flavor to the dinner table in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
Seasonings and Spices:
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Pasta and Liquids:
- 2 cups uncooked pasta (elbow, penne, or rotini)
- 1 (15 ounces / 425 grams) can tomato sauce
- 1 (14.5 ounces / 411 grams) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 2 cups beef broth
Cheese:
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese (or a mix of cheddar and mozzarella)
Garnish:
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Heat a spacious skillet over medium flame and thoroughly brown the ground beef, eliminating any surplus fat.
- Incorporate finely chopped onions and minced garlic, sautéing until vegetables become translucent and aromatic.
- Pour in tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes, savory beef broth, uncooked pasta, and season with Italian herbs, warm paprika, kosher salt, and cracked black pepper.
- Elevate heat to trigger a rolling boil, then immediately reduce to a gentle simmer. Seal the skillet with a tight-fitting lid and allow ingredients to meld together, occasionally stirring to prevent pasta from sticking.
- Once pasta reaches perfect al dente texture, carefully fold in a generous portion of shredded cheese, ensuring even distribution throughout the mixture.
- Sprinkle remaining cheese across the surface, creating a luxurious melted blanket. Cover briefly to encourage complete cheese dissolution and create a glossy, golden topping.
- For an elegant finishing touch, scatter freshly chopped parsley over the dish, adding a vibrant pop of color and herbaceous brightness. Serve immediately while piping hot, allowing diners to appreciate the rich, comforting flavors.
Notes
- Replace ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner or vegetarian option that maintains great flavor and protein content.
- Add diced bell peppers or zucchini during the onion cooking stage to boost vegetable intake and create more nutritional complexity in the dish.
- Use gluten-free pasta for those with wheat sensitivities, ensuring the texture and taste remain similar to the original recipe.
- Experiment with different cheese blends like sharp cheddar, monterey jack, or a Mexican cheese mix to customize the flavor profile and create exciting variations.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 100
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 40mg
- Fat: 2g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 5mg