Description

This Cheesy Beef Pasta Skillet is a comforting one-pan meal featuring lean ground beef, tender penne pasta, and a rich tomato sauce topped with melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, it combines simple ingredients and straightforward cooking methods to deliver a hearty and delicious dish in just 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Meat and Dairy

1 lb lean ground beef
1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese

Pasta

8 oz penne pasta

Produce

1 medium onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced

Pantry

15 oz can tomato sauce (unsalted)
1 tsp Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

Cook Pasta: Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well and set aside to be combined later with the beef mixture.
Brown Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, add the lean ground beef. Cook it for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally until it is fully cooked and browned. Drain any excess fat if necessary to keep the dish lean.
Sauté Aromatics: Add the diced onion and minced garlic directly to the skillet with the beef. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until the onion becomes soft and translucent and the garlic is fragrant, enhancing the flavor base of the dish.
Simmer Sauce: Stir in the tomato sauce and Italian seasoning into the skillet. Allow the mixture to simmer gently for 5 minutes so the flavors meld together nicely.
Combine Pasta and Beef Sauce: Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet and toss well to evenly coat the pasta with the beef and tomato sauce mixture.
Top with Cheese and Melt: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the pasta mixture. Cover the skillet with a lid and reduce heat to low. Allow it to heat for 3-5 minutes until the cheese has melted thoroughly.
Serve: Once cheese is melted and bubbly, serve the cheesy beef pasta skillet hot, straight from the pan for a satisfying meal.

Notes

Use lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and calories.
Feel free to substitute penne with any other pasta shape like rigatoni or rotini.
If you prefer a spicier dish, add red pepper flakes when sautéing the garlic and onion.
Covering the skillet to melt the cheese helps it become gooey and evenly distributed.
Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated in a skillet or microwave, adding a splash of water if dry.