Print

Easy Cheesy Ground Beef Skillet Pasta (One Pot)

one pot ground beef skillet pasta - featured image
Print Recipe

A quick and easy one-pot meal where pasta cooks directly in a savory beef and tomato sauce, topped with melted mozzarella and cheddar cheese. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s a budget-friendly, kid-approved comfort food that requires minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20 or 85/15)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
  • 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 8 oz (about 2 ½ cups) dry rotini or elbow pasta
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional but highly recommended)
  • ½ teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (for garnish, optional)

Instructions

  1. Brown the beef (5 minutes): Place your large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and break it up with your wooden spoon. Cook, stirring occasionally, until it’s nicely browned and no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. If there’s a lot of excess fat (more than about 2 tablespoons), spoon most of it out, leaving a little for flavor.
  2. Sauté the aromatics (2 minutes): Reduce the heat to medium. Add the diced onion to the pan with the beef. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until the onion softens and becomes translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for just 30 seconds more, until fragrant.
  3. Add the liquids and pasta (1 minute): Pour in the beef broth, tomato sauce, and undrained diced tomatoes. Stir everything together, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Add the dry pasta, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika (if using), salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine.
  4. Simmer the pasta (12-15 minutes): Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a steady simmer. Cover the skillet with the lid and let it cook for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, remove the lid and give it a good stir. The pasta should be mostly tender but still have a tiny bite in the center. If it’s still very firm, cover and cook for another 2-3 minutes. If the mixture looks too dry before the pasta is done, add a splash of water or extra broth.
  5. Add the cheese (2 minutes): Once the pasta is tender to your liking, remove the skillet from the heat. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and cheddar evenly over the top. Don’t stir it in yet! Cover the skillet again for 1-2 minutes, until the cheese melts into a glorious, gooey blanket.
  6. Finish and serve (1 minute): Uncover the skillet and give everything a gentle stir to incorporate the melted cheese into the pasta. Taste and adjust salt and pepper if needed. Sprinkle with fresh parsley for a pop of color. Serve immediately while it’s hot and cheesy.

Notes

For best results, use a 12-inch skillet with high sides. Shred your own cheese for a creamier melt. Don’t stir the pasta too much during simmering to avoid a gummy texture. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and taste even better the next day.

Nutrition

Keywords: one pot pasta, ground beef skillet, cheesy pasta, easy dinner, weeknight meal, comfort food, kid-friendly, budget-friendly

Find it online: https://lolaspoon.com/easy-cheesy-ground-beef-skillet-pasta-one-pot/