Description
This Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta Skillet is a quick and comforting one-pan meal featuring tender ground beef, perfectly cooked pasta, and a rich tomato sauce all melded together with melted cheddar cheese. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a family-friendly dinner that’s full of flavor and easy to prepare.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 2 cups short pasta (like penne or rotini)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 24 oz tomato sauce (jarred or homemade)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Chop the onion and mince the garlic cloves. Measure out the pasta and shredded cheddar cheese so everything is ready to go.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Sauté Onions & Garlic: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and sauté for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Brown Ground Beef: Increase the heat to medium-high, add the ground beef to the skillet, and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spatula, approximately 6 to 8 minutes.
- Mix Sauce & Seasonings: Pour in the tomato sauce and season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to taste. Stir everything together and let it simmer for about 5 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Combine Pasta & Cheese: Add the cooked pasta and shredded cheddar cheese to the skillet. Stir well to combine and cook on low heat for another 3 to 4 minutes until the cheese is melted and the mixture is creamy.
Notes
- Use any short pasta like penne, rotini, or rigatoni for best results.
- Ground beef can be substituted with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes when sautéing onions.
- If you prefer a saucier dish, add a splash of pasta water when combining pasta and sauce.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated in a skillet or microwave.