Description
A hearty and comforting cheesy ground beef pasta skillet that combines tender pasta, savory browned beef, aromatic onions and garlic, all simmered in a flavorful tomato sauce and topped with melted cheddar cheese. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s an easy weeknight dinner loved by the whole family.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat & Dairy
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Pasta & Sauce
- 2 cups short pasta (penne or rotini)
- 24 oz tomato sauce (jarred or homemade)
Vegetables & Seasonings
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Oils & Fats
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Chop the yellow onion and mince the garlic cloves. Measure out the pasta and shredded cheddar cheese so everything is ready to use.
- 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 and set aside.
- Sauté Onions & Garlic: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté until translucent, approximately 5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Brown Ground Beef: Increase the heat slightly, add the lean ground beef to the skillet. Cook, breaking it apart with a spatula, until the beef is fully browned and no longer pink, about 6 to 8 minutes.
- Mix Sauce & Seasonings: Pour in the tomato sauce and sprinkle in the Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir thoroughly and let the sauce simmer gently for about 5 minutes to meld flavors.
- Combine Pasta & Cheese: Add the cooked pasta and shredded cheddar cheese to the skillet. Mix everything together until the cheese melts and the mixture becomes creamy. Cook on low heat for another 3 to 4 minutes before serving.
Notes
- You can use any short pasta shapes like penne, rotini, or rigatoni for this recipe.
- For extra flavor, add chopped bell peppers or mushrooms when sautéing the onions.
- Use lean ground beef to keep the dish lighter and reduce grease.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated on the stovetop or microwave.
- Feel free to substitute cheddar with mozzarella or a cheese blend for different flavors.
