Get ready for a weeknight dinner dream! This Delicious Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta Skillet is a one-pan wonder that brings together savory ground beef, tender pasta, and a glorious, gooey cheese topping. It’s the ultimate comfort food that’s incredibly easy to make and guaranteed to please everyone at your table.
This one-pot pasta dish is a symphony of classic flavors, perfectly balanced for a satisfying meal.
Recipe Details
- Flavor Profile: Savory, rich, and wonderfully cheesy with hints of garlic and tomato.
- Texture Profile: Tender pasta enveloped in a hearty sauce, with a creamy, melted cheese topping.
- Total Active Time: Approximately 30-35 minutes
- Cook Time: Approximately 25-30 minutes
- Difficulty Level: Easy, perfect for beginners and busy cooks.
What You’ll Need
This recipe is all about simple, wholesome ingredients coming together to create something truly delicious. We start with lean ground beef and pantry staples like pasta and diced tomatoes, then elevate it with aromatic garlic, Italian seasonings, and a generous blend of melty cheeses. The beef broth provides a savory base for the sauce, making this a complete meal right in one skillet.
Ingredient Notes
- Lean Ground Beef – Using lean ground beef ensures a delicious flavor without excess grease. You can substitute with regular ground beef, just be sure to drain it well.
- Elbow Macaroni or Shell Pasta – These shapes are perfect for holding onto the savory sauce. Feel free to use other small pasta shapes like rotini or penne if you prefer.
- Tomato Sauce and Diced Tomatoes – These work together to create a flavorful and slightly chunky tomato base for our pasta.
- Beef Broth – This is key for cooking the pasta and developing a rich sauce.
- Cheddar and Mozzarella Cheese – A classic combination for maximum cheesiness and meltability. Sharp cheddar adds a nice tang, while mozzarella brings the creamy stretch.
- Fresh Parsley – Adds a lovely pop of color and freshness as a garnish.
Add-ins and Substitutions
While this Delicious Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta Skillet is perfection as is, here are a few ideas to customize it:
- Add some veggies: Stir in a cup of frozen peas or corn during the last 5 minutes of simmering for added color and nutrients. Diced bell peppers or mushrooms can be added with the onions at the beginning.
- Spice it up: A pinch of red pepper flakes added with the garlic can give it a gentle warmth.
- Herb variations: Fresh basil, oregano, or thyme can be added along with the Italian seasoning for a different herbaceous note.
- Cheese swap: Feel free to experiment with other cheeses like Monterey Jack, Provolone, or a Colby-Jack blend.
How to Make Delicious Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta Skillet
This recipe is designed for ultimate ease, bringing everything together in one glorious skillet. You’ll love how quickly it comes together for a satisfying meal.
- Brown the Beef and Onions: In a large, deep skillet, heat your stove to medium-high heat. Add the lean ground beef and diced yellow onion. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, for about 6-8 minutes, until the beef is no longer pink and the onions have softened. Once done, carefully drain off any excess fat.
- Add Aromatics and Spices: Stir in the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. Cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, until the garlic is wonderfully fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
- Combine Wet Ingredients and Pasta: Now, add the uncooked elbow macaroni or shell pasta to the skillet. Pour in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and beef broth. Season generously with salt and black pepper to your taste.
- Simmer and Cook Pasta: Bring the entire mixture to a rolling boil. Once boiling, immediately reduce the heat to low. Cover the skillet tightly and let it simmer for 12-15 minutes. Stir occasionally to make sure nothing sticks to the bottom and the pasta cooks evenly. You’ll know it’s ready when the pasta is tender.
- Melt the First Layer of Cheese: Uncover the skillet. Stir in 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese until it’s completely melted and creates a beautiful, creamy sauce.
- Top with Remaining Cheese and Melt: Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese and the 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the pasta mixture. Cover the skillet again for 2-3 minutes, just until the cheese is gloriously melted and gooey.
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Garnish and Serve: Remove the skillet from the heat. Garnish generously with fresh chopped parsley. Serve this delicious cheesy ground beef pasta skillet warm, straight from the skillet for maximum enjoyment!
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Pro Tip: Stirring the pasta occasionally during the simmer is crucial. This prevents the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pan and ensures it cooks evenly in the flavorful sauce.
Recipe Tips
- Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Keep an eye on the pasta during the simmering stage. It should be tender, but not mushy, as it will continue to absorb liquid even after cooking.
- Drain Fat Thoroughly: Properly draining the excess fat from the ground beef will give you a cleaner tasting sauce.
- Season to Taste: Salt and pepper are essential for bringing out the flavors of all the ingredients. Taste and adjust seasoning before adding the final layer of cheese.
- Use a Deep Skillet: A deep skillet or Dutch oven is ideal for this recipe, as it allows plenty of room for the liquid and pasta to cook without overflowing.
- Resting is Optional but Nice: Letting the dish sit for a minute or two after melting the final layer of cheese can help the flavors meld further.
FAQs
- Can I use different kinds of pasta?
Yes, absolutely! While elbow macaroni and shells are classic choices that hold sauce well, feel free to use other small pasta shapes like rotini, cavatappi, or penne. Just ensure the cooking time is adjusted if needed, though most small pasta shapes will cook similarly in this recipe. - My sauce seems a bit too thick/thin, what can I do?
If the sauce is too thick, you can stir in a little extra beef broth or even a splash of water, a tablespoon at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency. If it’s too thin, you can uncover the skillet for the last few minutes of simmering to allow some of the liquid to evaporate. - Can I make this ahead of time?
This dish is best enjoyed fresh, as the pasta can become a bit soft if reheated. However, you can prepare the beef and onion mixture and then refrigerate it. When ready to cook, proceed with adding the uncooked pasta and liquids. The final cheesy topping is best added just before serving.
Serving Suggestions
This Delicious Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta Skillet is a hearty meal on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a few simple additions:
- A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette to balance the richness.
- Steamed or roasted broccoli for a pop of green and extra fiber.
- Crusty bread or garlic bread for soaking up any leftover sauce.
- A dollop of sour cream or a side of your favorite hot sauce for an extra kick.
Make This Recipe in Advance
While this pasta skillet is designed for quick, weeknight enjoyment, some prep can be done ahead:
- Chopped Veggies: Dice the onion and mince the garlic up to 2 days in advance and store them in airtight containers in the refrigerator.
- Pre-cooked Beef: You can brown the ground beef and onion mixture ahead of time. Let it cool completely, drain any excess fat, and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. When ready to make the dish, reheat this mixture in the skillet before proceeding with adding the garlic and spices.
The fully assembled dish is best eaten fresh. Reheating can sometimes lead to softer pasta. If you must reheat, do so gently on the stovetop with a splash of liquid to prevent drying out.
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Delicious Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta Skillet
- Total Time: Approximately 30-35 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
Description
Get ready for a weeknight dinner dream! This Delicious Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta Skillet is a one-pan wonder that brings together savory ground beef, tender pasta, and a glorious, gooey cheese topping. It’s the ultimate comfort food that’s incredibly easy to make and guaranteed to please everyone at your table.
Ingredients
1 lb lean ground beef
1 medium yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
8 oz elbow macaroni or shell pasta
1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
2 cups beef broth
1 tbsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp garlic powder
1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Salt and black pepper to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
Instructions
In a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef and diced onion for 6-8 minutes until no pink remains, then drain any excess fat.
Stir in the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder, cooking for about 1 minute until fragrant.
Mix in the uncooked pasta, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, beef broth, salt, and pepper.
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 12-15 minutes, stirring sometimes, until the pasta is tender.
Uncover and stir in 1 cup of cheddar cheese until it’s melted into the sauce.
Sprinkle the remaining cheddar and mozzarella cheese over the top, cover again for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is melted, then garnish with parsley and serve warm.
Notes
Don’t overcook the pasta. Keep an eye on the pasta during the simmering stage. It should be tender, but not mushy, as it will continue to absorb liquid even after cooking.
Drain fat thoroughly. Properly draining the excess fat from the ground beef will give you a cleaner tasting sauce.
Season to taste. Salt and pepper are essential for bringing out the flavors of all the ingredients. Taste and adjust seasoning before adding the final layer of cheese.
Use a deep skillet. A deep skillet or Dutch oven is ideal for this recipe, as it allows plenty of room for the liquid and pasta to cook without overflowing.
Resting is optional but nice. Letting the dish sit for a minute or two after melting the final layer of cheese can help the flavors meld further.
- Prep Time: Approximately 30-35 minutes
- Cook Time: Approximately 25-30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: N/A
- Fat: N/A
- Carbohydrates: N/A
- Protein: N/A
