Description
Comfort meets convenience in this cheesy ground beef pasta skillet, blending hearty flavors with easy preparation. Savory beef, melted cheese, and perfectly cooked pasta create a quick weeknight dinner that satisfies hunger and delights taste buds you’ll crave again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Liquid and Sauce Ingredients:
- 1 can (14.5 ounces/411 grams) diced tomatoes
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) beef broth
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) tomato sauce
Pasta and Seasonings:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) uncooked pasta (elbow, penne, or rotini)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Cheese and Oil:
- 1 cup (100 grams) shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
Instructions
- Sizzle ground beef in a heated skillet with olive oil, crumbling the meat until it browns evenly and releases excess fat.
- Introduce finely chopped onions and minced garlic, letting them soften and release aromatic flavors into the meat.
- Pour in diced tomatoes, robust beef broth, tangy tomato sauce, and sprinkle with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to create a vibrant sauce.
- Gently nestle uncooked pasta into the skillet, ensuring each piece is coated with the flavorful liquid. Cover and simmer, stirring intermittently to prevent sticking.
- Monitor pasta’s tenderness, allowing it to absorb the rich sauce and become perfectly al dente.
- Once pasta reaches ideal texture, remove skillet from heat and fold in sharp cheddar cheese, stirring until it melts into a luxurious, creamy coating.
- Let the skillet rest briefly, allowing the cheese to integrate and the flavors to meld together before serving the steaming, cheesy creation.
Notes
- Choose lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and create a healthier version of the dish.
- Experiment with different cheese varieties like mozzarella or pepper jack for unique flavor profiles.
- For a gluten-free option, swap regular pasta with zucchini noodles or gluten-free pasta alternatives.
- Add extra vegetables like bell peppers or spinach to boost nutritional value and create a more balanced meal.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg